Short board jibing: In order to execute a good jibe, the sailor must enter the turn with enough speed.  Too slow of a speed coming into the jibe is probably the biggest problem for people as they master the jibe.  Imagine learning to ride a bike at slow speeds: not easy.  By increasing your speed when entering the turn, you will stay on a plane longer, which will also give you extra time to turn the board, switch your feet, and rotate the sail.  Also, by increasing your speed, the apparent wind becomes less, which makes it easier to switch sides of the sail.  The faster you come in to the jibe, the more time you will have.  Here are some basic steps for the jibe, which I will elaborate on below.

1. Watch others do it. 
2. Practice the rig and hand motions on land.
3. On the water, practice making high speed downwind carving turns, without really thinking about your hand motions.
4. Try putting it all together on the water: The speed, the carving turn, switch your feet, and your hands.

On Land: To learn the shortboard jibe, first try getting the idea of the hand motions that you will go through when switching sides.  You can practice this on land.  I find that it is easier, and smoother if you grab onto the mast with your front hand as you are starting the jibe.  That way, when you grab on to the other side, you can immediately place your new front hand in the right place on the other side of the boom.

On the Water: Start on some fairly smooth water, with enough wind to ensure good planing.  As you come into the turn, take your back foot out of the strap, and leave your front foot in. Place your back foot on the leeward side of the board, behind the other front footstrap.  Sheet the sail in close to your body, lean your weight forward, and also to leeward.  The board should carve around downwind. 

Grab hold of the mast with your front hand. Switch your feet to the other side of the board. Let go of your back hand, and with that hand, cross over your other hand, and grab the front of the new side of the boom.  Then you can let go of the mast, and use that hand as your new back hand.  Practice, practice, practice.  Pretty soon, it will come naturally to you.
                                                                  text by Brian Carlstrom

Frequently asked Questions

Why does the board sink in the tail as I am jibing? You probably need to get more speed coming into the turn.  You also may need to put more weight toward the front of the board.