Martin is a perfectionist. For a good two years, he has set himself the goal of teaching as many people as possible the perfect jibe. Because for him, the manoeuvre is the Holy Grail of windsurfing. That's why he uses the latest teaching methods and state-of-the-art technology such as video analysis (with a drone and from land) and his self-built simulator at his camps. However, the basis for getting rid of the wrong movement patterns is his innovative mental training. By using a simple gymnastics stick as a substitute for a boom, participants can practise together. Many participants now also take the gymnastics stick to their room and continue practising there.
Because so much has to happen at the same time during a jibe, the jibe is always a stressful situation, especially for the learner. Unfortunately, the human brain is programmed to fall back on trained, automated movement patterns in stressful situations. If these are unfortunately wrong, it is very difficult to make progress.
As an inexperienced windsurfer, the offer of mental training and realistic practice on the simulator was a perfect combination to be able to realise the jibe on the water."
Many of Martin's course participants have already spent hours watching jibing videos, and they actually know what they should do, but because of the brain and stress problems mentioned above, it just doesn't work on the water.
The correct movement sequence is pre-stored in the brain
The solution to this is mental training - because you learn to memorise the correct movement sequence in your brain and then recall it on the water. Think of high divers who mentally memorise incredibly complicated movements and then physically perform them.
You could also compare it to actors learning a role. Professional actors are able to memorise texts so well that they can then concentrate on slipping into the role of the person they are playing. They also use special methods for this, which could be called mental training. Amateur actors often find this much more difficult. Their main focus is on being able to recite the memorised text correctly, so to speak, while the natural portrayal of the role falls by the wayside. As a result, amateurs often come across as very unnatural and stiff.
Mental training is at the forefront of Martin's teaching method:
- Mental training
- Training on the beach simulator
- Practising the jibe on the water.
In mental training, the exact movement sequence of a jibe is first broken down into individual steps using a video and memorised in the mind. Then the jibe shown in the video is performed synchronised step by step in the training room. A gymnastic stick is used to simulate the boom.
Mental training with gymnastics stick
The sequence of movements is precisely rehearsed and internalised. At the beginning, the participants watch the video while they follow the individual steps. After practising for a while, they then only listen to the voice that dictates the individual steps. This is repeated until the jibe can be performed with eyes closed during this dry training.
Shifting is one of the main sticking points for many windsurfers, where they repeatedly fail. Mental training with a gymnastics stick allows you to practise and mentally memorise the shifting and boom-to-boom technique in detail using a cross-handle and then recall it on the simulator or on the water.
The gymnastic stick also helps to learn how to jibe correctly with a combination of rig and foot control. As the participants receive all the training videos on a USB stick, they can continue practising with the gymnastic stick as they wish.
Like in an interactive slo-mo film, everything is broken down into easy individual steps, rehearsed 'on your own body' and thus stored in your memory like memo techniques."
Movement sequence is consolidated on the simulator
Once the sequence of movements has been well memorised through mental training, the next step is the simulator. The whole thing is then practised and repeated very realistically with the help of the wind.
A combination of rigging and foot steering causes the board to drop. Similar to on the water, the change of foot and sail shifting must then be carried out correctly and quickly in terms of timing in order to get the board on the new course and to be able to get the sail tight again on the new side.
Similar to the previous mental training, the three main problems with jibing - weight orientation forwards, transferring and the correct technique for shifting sail - are practised and internalised.
By repeating the correct sequence of movements, it is possible that even in the stressful situation of the jibe on the water, you will not fall back on the old, incorrect movement pattern, but will automatically fall back on the new, correct one and that the jibe will finally work.
There will be three camps in 2025 - one in Dahab in May and two more in Rhodes in June and September. So far, all camps have been fully booked and some late bookers have unfortunately not been able to get a place, so it is advisable to register as soon as possible.
- Booking and more information and surf-action.com