The 180 Pop Shove-it is a great baseline trick to learn as you can expand it into a variety of moves. By landing with your fins first, it gives you the option to spin out of it riding toe side by “ole-ing” the bar, or simply letting the fins catch and letting the nose correct itself and point forward again.. At this point you can both continue to ride toe side, switch your feet, or because you feet are already switched, jibe and turn around to head in the other direction.
Before attempting this trick, you should be able to comfortably perform The Strapless Air.
STEPS:
1) Like any jump, whether it’s strapped or strapless, to leave the water you must load up the kite and board by setting a rail and edging against the kite. This creates added tension in the lines that you will use to lift you off the water.
2) You will start with slow to medium speed, just enough to finish the move with some forward momentum to ride away. If possible, time your take off with a ‘kicker’ such as a small wave or chop to help you initiate your jump.
3) As you leave the water, keep you kite at a 45-degree angle and use your toes to angle the bottom of the board into the wind. The board will push back against the bottom of your feet and you can use this resistance to initiate the spin of the board.
4) Keep your eyes down, watching the board. You must spin the board only 180 degrees and the amount “kick” that you use to spin the board depends on how fast and how high you are.
5) Keep your eyes watching the board. You must spin the board only 180 degrees and the amount “kick” that you use to spin the board depends on how fast and how high you are.
6) Before you land, make sure your feet are positioned further towards the nose of the board (the new “back” of the board) and you have your knees bent for landing.
7) Keep your eyes on your landing and do your best to keep your feet in the correct spot on the board while keeping your weight shifted back so that the fins stay out of the water.
TIPS:
1) You don’t need to be going fast to do this trick.
2) Watch for the possibility of your board landing fins up. To avoid injuries from sharp fins, watch the rotation of the board and if you’re landing fins up, then tuck you feet up and continue to send the kite in the opposite direction to get away from your board.
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