the vulcan - Guy Cribb

Cribby's Vulcan 2/6/04 2:42pm Page 1
108 windsurf

Cribby's Vulcan 2/6/04 2:43pm Page 2
THE VULCAN
Highly illogical tips to improve your Vulcans.
Start Your Vulcan From A Very Broad Reach.
When I first started trying Vulcans I’d try them from a traditional chop hop,
which entails heading upwind on take off.This was my first mistake and resulted
in about a year of ankle shattering landings and whiplash. The moment I tried
Vulcans on flat water on a very broad reach, I landed them easily. Partly because
the board has to turn through a shorter distance to go from one tack to the
other and especially because it’s easier to land directly in reverse (instead of
landing sideways and catching a rail).
Changing Your Hands Early.
The next most common mistake I found was not changing my hands from one
side of the boom to the other in time (flipping the rig). By Vulcan-ing on a broad
reach though, it’s easier to reach the new side of the boom sooner.
It’s Logical, Captain.
So, for those of you already trying this funky trick, head onto a very broad reach
and go for a Vulcan, consciously focusing on doing your handwork early and
forgetting everything else.That’s what made the difference for me.
It’s Illogical, Captain.
If you’ve not tried the Vulcan before, follow this sequence for an insight on these
other skills.
Spinning Around:
Note throughout the sequence that I’m looking where I’m about to go (towards
the end of the turn or over my back shoulder) to help my body and board spin
around. If I was to look forward, then that’s where the board would go so the
spin would be unsuccessful.
Jumping:
In the first three pictures note the ‘spring jump’ or ‘bunny hop’ off flat water. Start
by pulling down like hell into the boom and crouching super low to get spring
loaded.Throw the front of the board out of the water with your front foot and
arm lifting up, then lift the tail underneath you with your back leg.This is standard
procedure for most jumps.
Flipping the Rig:
The moment you take off start flipping the rig, pulling the mast aggressively
across your chest towards the end of the turn (in this case where you came
from). Firstly with all the strength in your original front arm, then continuing to
throw the mast forwards with your new front arm extending, standard for most
rig flips.
With all rig flips, always start by moving front hand to front of boom. In the vulcan,
get this over and done with even before take off.
Learning Curve:
Like most windsurfing skills, expect to learn the Vulcan in stages. Once one area
becomes natural, then focus on the new areas.Your learning curve will probably
achieve these skills in this order:
A small jump, half a spin and a decent whip lashing crash to the outside of the
turn.
A full 180-degree spin, with a soft fall face first into the inside of the turn, but still
no rig flips.
The full spin and grabbing the new side of the boom but slowly falling off
backwards or being yanked off forwards.
Finally, the Vulcan.
Guy Cribb INtuition 01273 842144
intuition@guycribb.com
COPYRIGHT GUY CRIBB 2002
ALL PICS BY SHAWNA CROPAS
May 109