ROB HOFMANN “OLD GUNS” CLINIC
Roberto “Clinic” Hofmann organized yet another windsurfing course. This time, it took place in Torbole, on Lake Garda, Italy from June 13th to June 16th. There were a total of 10 people attending, which allowed Roberto to really focus on each of his students’ progress. Here is his report:
“We came up with the “Old Guns” thing simply because it was a funny thing to say! There are a lot of young guns out there, pushing the sport, but the older generation isn’t ready to give up yet! As a matter of fact, it’s the opposite: they are very tough and persistent!
The stage was centered around by the bugbear of windsurfing: the power jibe. The requirement to sign up for my clinic was to be able to get planing in the straps. Over the four days of the course, all aspects of the jibe and its variations were studied and practiced.
The wind worked in our favor during the 4 days of the clinic with the local Southern Ora wind ranging from 12 to 20 knots. The temperatures were finally worthy of mid-June with about 28 degrees everyday. Even the water temperature stabilized around 18 degrees which meant crashing your jibes wasn’t as tragic!
In the morning, we always did 90 minutes of theory; more than that and you’re brain washed; to have a certain continuity in the movements of the jibe. In windsurfing, it is important to simulate the different movements of the hands and feet during the jibe in order to visualize the move in your head before you get out on the water!
Everybody’s made considerable progress and this has given me a lot of satisfaction! I’m positive that the clinic will be repeated next year. Ciao!
