Toeside backs - I'm still stuck

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

I keep trying to throw the toeside backroll, but can't seem to ever complete the rotation. If only I could point upwind a little more just before throwing it. For now, I power the kite at 11 o'clock, put my back hand at the center of the bar, then huck it while throwing my forward arm back. Half the time, I don't even leave the water. Do I have to learn these off the lip? Tips anyone?..... thanks, Ethan

NateDogg · Mon Jul 07, 08 10:14 am

Without seeing it it's tough to tell, but it sounds like you're starting the move with the board already pointed too far upwind.

The only way to make it feel like your board is pointed far enough upwind when you initiate the move is to bear off and point more downwind to set the trick up. You build speed and then you end up with all this upwind room to edge and get enough pop to get high enough to complete the move.

Remember to bend the knees and don't forget to really load up and pop a split second before you throw your head over your shoulder. If you just throw your head without load and pop you'll end up landing on your back every time. The head is the key in any rotation though...head goes, body follows. Tuck the knees for a tight rotation and you'll have it dialed for sure.

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

Thanks Teech! I think you're right. I'm trying to point too far upwind before initiating the move. Now I'm dreaming of building speed, then edging, popping, and throwing my head all at once... piece o cake Shocked

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

it's like natedogg is saying, forget the arm, use your head.

This is easier to accomplish if you are a little more powered up, then you hardly need to move the kite at all.... if not you can throw the kite a little, you don't need much pop at all, but throw your head..almost straight over your back (the more over your back the more inverted you'll be), and if you have enough speed (and height) you'll make the roll with enough height to land toeside too...

then add on a downloop transition as you land, and you'll be stylin' Smile

in general this move needs a little more speed and power...then next move is to throw a little kiteloop in the mix...those are the ones that easily go out of control for me...since I keep on trying them too powered...and with too big kites... Smile

Come to think of it, this back roll from toeside with a kiteloop was what nail in the coffin for my back for the past 2 months......

step by step:
Ride powered toeside here you mgith want to let your front hand off the bar)
rise the kite slowly (if you are not too powered send it), as you feel the pull give the board a slight kick, if you are note planning to kiteloop it this is when you want that front hand back on the bar,
as you leave the water, throw your head...the more over you back the more inverted you'll be.... and redirect the kite...spot your landing, if you have 2 feet, get your back foot forward to ride away toeside...land and pretend you meant it...
(did I forget something?)

good luck Wink

a.

jimmyc · Since 04 Aug 2005 74 Posts Cape Cod, MA

Not sure if this was mentioned, but it's obviously easier off a piece of chop or a wave. So look for a nice ramp to start. Have speed on your toeside, carve up but not too high upwind as you'll lose all your speed, throw your head back and you'll go head over heels.

Also, it's not completely necessary to get good pop as was mentioned, but if you already know how to get good toeside pop, this will at least help in that the motion of loading up the board to get toe pop can be used (but doesn't need to be) to do the toe-toe backroll. Again it helps when learning to start by using chop or a wave. After that flat water can be just as good as you get the toe side load and pop sequence down.

I try not to move the kite as it screws me up...looping sends me into a double. I just make sure I have good speed and that I have my hand holding the bar in all the way so that I don't lose power when edging and spinning.

Hopefully someone doesn't now say this is a non-legit way of doing it.... Rolling Eyes

Good luck. Wink

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

I would definitely try off a piece of chop. But if that's not available, keep in mind that it's harder to hold a prolonged upwind carve when toeside. Since you mention not rotating enough, try to make the carve happen much more suddenly and quickly. The faster you toe-carve upwind, the more the board will release off the water and allow you to rotate. Also make sure you're going fast enough... you need some speed for that carve to translate to pop. Not that you have to be going very fast, but if you're like me, you might have a tendancy to slow down when trying something new.

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

Yesterday at Stevie was the first time I tried this move since crashing hard in LV. Bearing off to get speed and then carving upwind while hucking it has done the trick! Prior to yesterday, this move felt so unnatural and potentially damaging to the knees that I was afraid to throw it. Now, if I generate enough speed I can go toeside to heel without any chop, or toe to toe if I use the lip. This long uncrowded weekend at Stevenson (4 solid 10m days) is just what I needed to try new moves and keep the stoke. Thanks to all who posted here!

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

won't be stylin til you do it unhooked

if you aren't popping then you must be DANGLING

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

Hah, Wakeup, wrong you are! My poopin hooked dangles are pure steezyness, oops I mean poppin. Wakeup Wakeup, I just landed my first one and am now the schnizit, ready to claim it for the world to hear but never see. DANGLE ON!

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

ha, you said poopin dangles
those words go so well together

"what tricks are you tryin these days?"
"oh not much, just poopin a few dangles"

hebrew_hammer · Since 27 Dec 2006 31 Posts

poopin a few dangles....

hahaha