Words by: Keahi De Aboitiz
For the 360 hand shove-it you want to have a bit of a background in strapless freestyle. Its not necessarily that difficult but its quite technical and can take a bit of practice to be done right. The main thing you need to know is how to flick the board up and catch it in your hand and although it looks simple, but when there is wind involved it can take a little practice.
STEPS:
1) This trick can take a little more time then you think so make sure you find a good ramp to get height. Although it can be performed off flat water, it is much easier off a chop or even better, off a small wave as this allows you to get height much easier. Preferably I like to do these off a wave as this allows you to much more height without sending the kite.
2) Try to come in fairly quick with your kite around 10 or 11 and line up the ramp. Put your back in the middle of the bar with your index finger and middle finger either side of the depower line as this will help minimize the kite steering up too fast. If your doing it off a wave, try and take off right as the wave stands up to help you get more height. If your going off a chop try time it so you can get as much of a ramp as possible. Edge hard and stomp on your back foot to get a good pop off the water.
3) As you take off, flick the board slightly upwind at an angle towards your hand while reaching down to grab it at the same time. Make sure wind is hitting the bottom of your board rather then the top or it will want to fall back to the water and fly away. Try and catch the board as much in the center as possible on the upwind side as this will make the rest of the trick a little easier. Bring your knees into your chest to allow room for the board to spin beneath you. I feel this also helps me keep my balance throughout the air.
4) Rotate the board about 90 degrees before letting go. Rather then throwing the board, its more about moving your hand quickly from one side of the board to other and grabbing it before the wind takes it away. Make sure try and keep the board fairly horizontal to minimize the chance of fly away.
5) The initial momentum from spinning it should help and once you catch it you can continue the rotation with your hand. Try and bring the board all the way around and hold it under your feet until you get back close to the water. Throughout the trick try and focus on keeping the kite as still as possible. Although it wvill slowly move across the window to the other side because your back hand is on the bar, you want to make sure it doesn’t cross 12 too fast or it will pull you away from your board and you will stop on the landing.
6) Look for your landing and wait until you’re almost on the water before you let the board go. Try to position your board under your feet with your knees still bent and as you let go, extend your legs toward the water to keep contact with the board. As you land your kite will most likely now be on the other side of the window so the best thing to do is backloop the kite to keep momentum. If you try to steer it back you will most likely sink on the landing.
TIPS:
1) This is another trick where slightly lighter wind and a heavier board can actually be beneficial. Because you are letting go of the board, it can quite easily be picked up by the wind and fly away from you. When learning I wouldn’t recommend trying this in too much wind as it can become dangerous with the board flying back towards you cause injury.
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