Anyone who practices power jibes, planing manoeuvres or first wave rides knows the problem: shortly after initiating the turn, the board starts to bounce uncontrollably on the tail, the speed drops and instead of a smooth, fast manoeuvre, the board gurgles around at a snail's pace. This is usually caused by three typical mistakes that add up and make all the difference in the end. The good news: if you concentrate on three aspects, you can already noticeably improve your carving and therefore your manoeuvres. In the following video tutorial, we have summarised the most important sticking points for you. If you have the YouTube channel of surf magazine If you haven't subscribed yet, now is a good opportunity to do so - many more clips will follow this season.
The three most common mistakes when carving:
- Legs too stretched: If you stand stiffly on the deck, you won't be able to absorb chops and hits well and you won't be able to exert any pressure on the leeward edge of the board. It works better if you actively push your knees forward and squat down low. This technique is key, especially in rough conditions.
- Mast arm tightened: Your board can only carve cleanly if you manage to load the edge as far forward as possible so that as much of the edge as possible grips the water. This flat water position of the board also prevents you from standing on the brakes and the board from starting to bounce. The key to this is the front arm - stretch it almost through when initiating the turn and let the sail pull you into the turn.
- Sails too open: To ensure that your sail generates propulsion, you should not give away any power. Therefore, keep your sail consistently tight with your back hand.
