My first forward!

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

Phenomenal! What were you conditions/gear?
Rear hand to forehead is key sign things are going well!
Maybe tuck rear leg under butt more?
Congrats, such a milestone.

LUCARO · Joined: 07 Dec 1997 Posts: 661

rexi · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 155

Thanks guys!

About the conditions Manuel, it was just bump n jump and difficult to find ramps, not ideal. I was using a 4.5 and my 82L kode wave, first loop was on a 5.0. I need to look a bit more back but it´s all getting better. How is your looping going Manuel?

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

I meant how did it feel power wise? Feeling well powered, fast, or comfortable.

My back loops are getting better, my front loops no progress. We do have more waves coming dead on and it's helped setting off some wymaroos but with too little speed and lack of commitment nothing came out of it.

I am still very afraid of trying much when going very fast over the reef. I did manage my first tail grab.

rexi · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 155

I have to follow your lead and start working on the backloops next Smile

About the power i was very well powered up and overpowered in the end, helps with the spinning for sure but adds to the fear so i stopped going for them in the end.

Keep going for those forwards, i´m sure you will land them soon Smile

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

You're awesome. Backloops came naturally pinching upwind while being late on lips. Now I'm starting to look back and nose diving more than landing on my back.

They are much easier psychologically because the whole thing is slow and progressive. Still I tend to avoid them in the middle of a series or in the more shallow part of the reef.

For fronts I try to glide off of a nice downwind ramp with an open sail but then I choke the sail with my front hand, I have to get rid of this habit!

rexi · Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Posts: 155

Some more progress.

I´ve had a few sessions and now have landed loops with sails from 3.5 -5.0, i find it easier if i have a decent wave to take off from but have managed to land loops of chop and waves. Last session overpowered on a 4.5 with about chest high ramps sent me on my highest ones so far and managed to land about 3 of those higer ones.

I´m still doing something wrong in the hands though, sometimes i end up doing 10 in a row where i end up almost landing but getting the rig torn out of my hands or getting pulled on top the gear during the end of the move. THink a camera on the mast might be a good idea for me to see better what i´m doing wrong.