a winch Frontside 360

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Hey guys,

First, I'm not a great kiter, so I don't have much to teach
about kite tricks, but I am still a pretty fair wakeboarder and hydrofoiler,
and do have some experience with rope tricks. I haven't tried the winch
yet, but I understand it is variable speed...sounds like a lot of the boat
drivers I used to ride behind! Smile

i talked to a couple of people about throwing 3's and got a
chance to watch a few behind the winch,
and noticed some common words and movements that I thought
I would offer a short tutorial on how to correct.

My disclaimer, I'm no pro, so ignore this if you want,
but i can land them consistently (or used to be able to)
directly behind a boat, and have been off quite a
few ramps spinning skis and wakeboards.

there are a few key steps that will get you there,
and get you consistent, without getting hurt.
if you don't rush the steps, and pay close attention to
your handle and body position through the trick.
For this tutorial, I'm going to assume that you are
going off the kicker, and are solid going off the kicker
and riding away. If you can't do that, go practice
before you try this.

Step 1: The drift: This step could probably be skipped,
but I'm putting it in here for very new beginners.
It will give you an idea of what 'using the line tension'
in the spin will feel like without commiting.

After you pop off the ramp, 'climb' the line by puuling
it slowly into yor waist. Don't yank the line! This should
be a gradual movement. This will cause your body to
turn about 90 degrees and face the winch.
After you face it, move the handle back to your
leading hip and turn back the 90 degrees you
came froom and land/ride way. Another important
thing is try not to swing the board at any point.
Use the line to turn your body.

once you are doing this consistently
and comfortably, move on to step 2.

I will stop and say that moving to any of the next
steps below before you are ready will result in
crashes, most of them painful.

Step 2: The 180. Now that you understand the
importance of the line, you are ready to commit to
the 180. To do the 180, pop off the ramp, and as
you climb the line, rather than pulling it to your
waist, pull the handle slowly to your outside or
trailing hip and pin it there. Leave both hands
on the handle if you want, it will help you keep
the handle in close, but it is also ok to only use
your trailing hand. You should be in the 180
position before you hit the water. Land it and ride away.

Get comfortable with this before moving on.
You should not be throwing your shoulders at all!
Keep your chest out, and your head up.
If you look down, you go down.
Make sure you are not hucking the board around either,
let the rope and line do the work.

Step 3 The 360: You've mastered the 180, time to move on.
After you pop off the ramp, begin the climb, and this
time, pull the handle across your back to your opposite
hip. Your arm should be across your lower back, and
your knuckles should be in your oposite upper butt
cheek. It is really important that this be a slow, gradual
pull. You should feel the line through the entire movement
of your arm across your back. Do not pass the handle
before you have your hand across your back. Doing
so will drop your shoulder, and give you line slack,
which is like trying to turn your kite while sheeted out.

If you wait, you will spin around smoothly, and more
importantly, on axis. You don't even really have to regrab, though it
is recommended if you aren't used to landing and riding blind.

I've seen comments about wanting slack after the pop
so you can make it around. I learned to do it with a
very tight line, and learned that hucking your shoulders and/or head
only encourages off-axis spins that sometimes end up uncontrolled, and you
landing on your face.

PS, In this tutorial, I said move the handle slow. It will appear to people
watching that the handle is moving fast, and it really is,
but just not "yank" fast.

I hope this doesn't come off as arrogance, just trying to help.
I also realize that there are 1000 ways to skin a cat, so my word isn't gospel
by any means.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Apr 13, 09 9:29 am

great post!! I can attest to the fact that jerking and leading starting the spin with your shoulders can end up hurting your face and ribs.

Thanks again for the info Brett!!

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Pop

Pull

Spin

Pop off the wake/booter just like doing a straight air- don't start rotation too early

Pull handle into hip

Spin

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

actually, although terribly simplified, shay brings up something I didn't stress enough.
Delay the spin...wait until you are popped up, off the ramp to initiate the spin.
This will keep the ramp from interfering with your rotation and getting you off axis.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

forrest · Mon Apr 13, 09 10:54 am

Ian, if you're not going to read it, then shut your pie hole!

TinyE has spent a good portion of his life behind the boat, so I respect what he has to say. I'm gonna definitely get out there and try this new method. I've had it in my head to start the rotation as you're riding up the jump, snowboard style, but this method sounds better.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Apr 13, 09 1:01 pm

I love how Dylan forms his opinions on things (mostly negative) before even reading the things he is forming an opinion on.

Thumb's Up

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

tejas winter

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Nak · Mon Apr 13, 09 1:45 pm **Re: a winch Frontside 360**

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Can I come visit you in texas? Talk about motivation...or should I say distraction...
Please...?

forrest · Mon Apr 13, 09 3:22 pm

Hey Shay, I'll be hitting TSR for a few days next week! Maybe see you out there!

forrest · Mon Apr 13, 09 3:22 pm

Nak, were you edging at all when you hit the ramp?

Nak · Mon Apr 13, 09 3:28 pm

Nope... I went up the ramp fine, it's just that I would rotate after I left the ramp. (And not in a good way. Very Happy

)

forrest · Mon Apr 13, 09 3:28 pm

Maybe lettting your arms out and not holding the bar down near your hips?

Nak · Mon Apr 13, 09 3:30 pm

Um, yeah. I didn't have the bar down at all... I guess I was supposed to? Very Happy