Back in June of 2021, I wrote Carve Jibe – Putting it all together. What I didn’t know at the time is it would take me almost four more years to reach my goal of being comfortable executing a Carve Jibe. Along the way I’ve had a few injuries as well as a new focus on Wind Foiling but I never forgot about this important windsurfing goal.

What a minute, for the past eighteen months I’ve been writing about my new passion Wind Foiling! In a recent post I mentioned Wind Foiling was my future so what the hell, right? Well the Tampa Bay area has some great freeride windsurfing locations and recently we have had some really good windsurfing conditions and I decided it was time to brush up on my skills and make my Carve Jibe goal a reality. Summer is just around the corner so now or possibly never.

One obvious conclusion to me is that Wind Foiling has made me a better windsurfer. A key foiling skill is learning to relax and make very subtle movements. When you translate these skills to windsurfing everything for me slows down and I’m much more aware of how my actions translate to my sailing. The Carve Jibe has so many steps that you have to get each one right while moving at a fast pace and if you can mentally slow the process down and be present for each action, with a minimum of thought, it leads to positive results.

I can now confidential say that my carve jibe is pretty simple and each action though not perfect, are a combination of relatively smooth actions which result in a 160° – 180° downwind turn. Of course you have to pick the right spot and time to turn but once I’ve made that assessment, I turn with confidence. The more I practice the better my results and for the next few weeks my windsurfing is taking priority over my wind foiling and when the conditions are right you may find me on one of my two Starboard Carves.

I’m still passionate about windsurfing and though in the long run wind foiling will be my primary focus I want to be able to look at my windsurfing journey with only positive thoughts knowing that I give it my all and accomplished the goals that I set for myself.

I don’t want to forget all the support I have received on my journey. Starting of course with Andy Brandt. My time spent with Andy has been incredible. He is in my head on every jibe, keeping me focused on the right actions with simple but very positive concepts. In addition, Karen and Britt (North Beach Windsurfing) always keeping an eye on my progress and offering positive input that have been invaluable in keeping me on track. It takes a village and in my case the Tampa Bay windsurfing community. So much support and encouragement from expert sailors, Jim, Quan, Greg Rhoda, Gary Brown, Rick Bartel and so many others. Thanks to everyone!