Optimist Gybing

Check out this video showing Optimist gybing, narrated by Shirley Robertson, double Olympic Gold Medalist. The links provide videos from other sources with additional tips.

Key Steps

• Bear away gently and sheet in main
• Stand, move back foot across, and grab all parts of mainsheet
• Bear off more, pull main over, duck and center the rudder
• Sit, steer, swap hands

Additional Tips:

• You may have to lower the centerboard to prevent the boom from hitting it
• Keep steering  to a minimum
• Keep your weight forward
• Use smooth movements to avoid shaking the wind out of the sail

Opti Gybing – Steve Irish Coaching
Gybing – Yachting New Zealand Coaching Resource