The wingfoiling gybe is arguably one of the most crucial skills that separates intermediate riders from advanced pilots. Whether you’re still working on your off-foil transitions or ready to tackle powered gybes while flying, understanding proper wing positioning and technique is essential for smooth, successful turns that maintain momentum and keep you on the water.

Understanding the Gybe: More Than Just Turning Around

A gybe involves turning your board away from the wind, passing through the downwind direction before coming back across the wind on the opposite tack. Unlike tacking (turning into the wind), gybing requires you to manage power transitions more carefully, as you’ll be dealing with varying wind angles and wing positions throughout the turn.

The key to successful gybes lies not just in board control, but in mastering the intricate dance between wing positioning, body mechanics, and timing. Let’s break down the essential techniques that will transform your gybes from survivable disasters into fluid, powerful transitions.

Pre-Gybe Preparation: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Wing Position and Grip

Before initiating any gybe, your wing setup is crucial. Position your rear hand far enough back that it doesn’t prevent you from pushing the wing forwards and allows you to stay balanced and control the wing. Many riders make the mistake of gripping too close to the leading edge, which limits their ability to drive the board through the turn.

Your grip should allow maximum forward reach while maintaining control. Consider starting with an overhand grip on your front hand, as this feels more natural and gives better leverage when pushing the wing forward to initiate the turn.

Body Position and Balance

Establish a wide, stable stance with your front foot pointing slightly forward on the upwind side of the board’s centerline. Your back foot should be positioned sufficiently across the centerline to give you rail-to-rail control. This wide stance becomes even more critical as you’ll need this stability when riding switch after the gybe.

The Gybe Sequence: Breaking Down Each Phase

Phase 1: Initiation – The Bear Away

The gybe begins with a controlled bear away maneuver. Push your front hand forwards towards the nose of the board. As your hands are connected by your wing, this will bring your back hand forward. As the wing pulls, push through your front leg to turn your board away from the wind.

The key here is commitment and controlled power. In stronger winds, you’ll need to be dynamic and resist by dropping your weight while controlling power with your back hand. In lighter conditions, patience is your friend—the board will respond more slowly.

Phase 2: The Deep Turn – Committing to Downwind

As your board approaches the downwind position, this is where many riders falter. You need to keep your wing pushed to the outside of the turn. Simultaneously you should concentrate on staying balanced over the board.

The critical technique here is maintaining wing position relative to your turn, not to the board’s nose. As the board rotates, your wing needs to stay positioned to the outside of your turning arc. This requires constant adjustment and awareness.

Phase 3: The Wing Flip – The Make-or-Break Moment

This is arguably the most technical phase of the gybe. As the board nears downwind you can lift your front hand higher and push your back hand down so that the pull directs you downwind. From this position you can release your back hand, letting your wing fly momentarily above you head.

During this phase, balance becomes paramount. You’re temporarily losing your power source and balancing point. Focus on keeping your weight centered over the board by flexing your ankles and knees, lowering your center of gravity.

Hand Switch Technique

The hand switch doesn’t have a single “correct” method, but here’s an effective approach: As you lift your front hand and lower your back hand, both hands will move with the wing. When your front hand reaches overhead, reach up with your free hand to grab the handle. If you end up with an underhand grip, sheet out so the wing hovers powerless, then twist your grip by holding with just your thumb, opening your fingers, and re-gripping from above.

Phase 4: Completing the Turn

Once you have both hands back on the wing, you need to drive the board around to complete the turn. The challenge now is that everything feels different in switch stance. As soon as there is any wind in the wing, it wants to tip your weight onto your heels. You need to counter this by flexing your ankles and dropping your knees over the centreline.

Sheet in by extending your front arm and pulling with your back hand. Move the wing back to steer the board around, creating pressure through your back leg to force the nose to turn.

Advanced Techniques for Foiling Gybes

When progressing to foiling gybes, the fundamentals remain the same, but several additional factors come into play:

Foil Management

Maintain consistent height throughout the turn by managing your speed and angle of attack. On landing, gradually relax your legs, still with the wing above your head, before your foil touches the surface of the water again. If you do touch down, having mastered the off-foil gybe gives you the confidence and tools to continue the turn rather than aborting.

Speed and Momentum

Foiling gybes require more commitment to speed. The faster you enter the gybe, the more stability you’ll have through the turn. However, this also means quicker hand switches and more dynamic movements.

Carving vs. Pivoting

Advanced foiling gybes involve carving the foil through the water rather than pivoting on the surface. This requires coordinating your weight shifts with wing movements while maintaining foil pressure and angle.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Over-sheeting During the Turn: Keep the wing powered but don’t over-sheet. You need controlled power, not maximum power, through most of the gybe.

Rushing the Hand Switch: Take your time during the wing flip phase. Better to have a slow, controlled gybe than a rushed crash.

Neglecting Switch Stance Practice: Many riders avoid practicing their switch stance, but this is where gybes are often lost. Make a real effort to hold it forward with your front arm fully stretched out. Turn your hips and shoulders so that your chest faces forwards.

Inadequate Foot Positioning: In switch stance, your feet need to be positioned more across the centerline than you might expect. Don’t be afraid to adjust your stance during the gybe.

Practice Progression: Building Your Gybe Skills

Start with off-foil gybes in light to moderate winds on flat water. Master the wing flip and switch stance before progressing to foiling gybes. Practice both directions, but accept that one side will feel more natural initially.

Focus on smooth, flowing movements rather than rushed, jerky motions. The gybe should feel like a dance between you, your wing, and the wind, not a battle for survival.

Remember, every successful gybe builds muscle memory and confidence for the next one. The key is consistent practice with proper technique, gradually building up to more challenging conditions and higher speeds.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the wingfoiling gybe opens up the entire bay or lake for exploration, allowing you to change direction efficiently while maintaining momentum and style. While the technique may seem complex when broken down into phases, with practice, these movements become fluid and intuitive.

The investment in perfecting your gybe technique pays dividends not just in performance, but in confidence and enjoyment on the water. Once you can confidently gybe in both directions, you’ll find your sessions become longer, more dynamic, and infinitely more rewarding.

Start practicing these techniques in controlled conditions, and soon you’ll be carving powerful gybes that showcase the true beauty and flow of wingfoiling.