Hi Joe,
Thanks for the welcome and the tip on planing through jibes. I'll be
working on it when our fall winds come-which is soon! I agree that
flat water makes it sooooooo much easier. It sounds to me like I need
to work on committing more by increasing pressure on the leeward
rail. It is really great to be included in this usa prodigy group.
Formula is pretty big out here in Seattle, but most sailors here
still have a longboard for the light winds. The Prodigy is a perfect
alternative for our local waters like Lake Washington and Puget
Sound. I have seen only a half dozen Prodigies out here, but there
seems to be an interest in hybrids for those who want to sail in any
wind conditions. Our local sailing group tries to have an informal
race series every year here that encourages any sailor to come out
and race. The motto is "run what ya brung". I have learned so much
just by talking to the other sailors and participating. I won't make
it to the Nationals this year, but it is in my sights for the near
future!

PS Sailing the Prodigy locally here in Seattle has been a great
alternative to making the 3 1/2 hour road trip to the Gorge.....Since
I bought my Prodigy, I have tripled my time on the water!

Thanks again........
john fernstrom
itsnukin@...

--- In usa_prodigy@yahoogroups.com, "joethewindsurfer"
<joethewindsurfer@...> wrote:
>
> Hey John !
>
> Welcome to the group!
>
> I was hoping some of the other folks would have responded by
now...I'm having trouble,
> too.
>
> I've been able to make full planing jibes at a place called South
Padre Island. The water
> there stays flat, even when it is blowing hard. I really moved my
back hand backward
> extra far on the booms (8.5 rig), and moved my back foot where I
put it to start a jibe on a
> short board (right behind the middle footstrap on the leeward
side). I had to use soooooo
> much foot pressure! I flip the sail, get on a plane, and then
switch my feet (which is how I
> jibe short boards, too). Is that called a 'Euro-jibe'? Moving my
foot back on the tail to
> reduce the amount of foot pressure needed on the leeward rail just
made the tail drag too
> much.
>
> Now, all that being said, when I sail at home in bumpy Galveston
Bay, I haven't been able
> to plane through a jibe either. I'd like to be able to get there
before going to Nationals.
> (Are you going?) I'm getting desperate, and trying to learn how to
do one of those
> complicated 'step jibes' they try to teach beginners in the
magazines and at ABK camps.
>
> Joe the Windsurfer