You've
got the jumps, skidders and rolls. Now it's time to master one of the
most impressive tricks being done.
The front flip is
impressive for many reasons. It's pretty tough, and
not many people can perform it on cue. It's also a
trick that is big. Even a small front flip requires
plenty of rotation. I have been in the boat many
times with uncle Mike showing off behind the boat.
It's great fun when it is the observers' first time
to be in the boat while Murphy foils. His rolls
always inspire gasps and yells. But it's the front
flips that always take the cake. Here's how you can
do them too.
Getting Ready
I highly recommend
some sort of dry land instruction before trying this
move. Get used to the feel of the front flip on a
diving board, trampoline, or any other way possible.
Pay special attention to spotting your landing. It's
actually more like spotting the horizon as you come
around. When you see the horizon, it's time to open
up and slow your rotation. Concentrate on a perfect
end over end spin. A crooked rotation makes for nasty
falls.
You will also need to
mentally prepare for this one. Learn and visualize
each part of the trick off the water before you try
it on the water.
Use a release with
this move. I have seen and heard of foils getting
caught up in the rope, and arms going through the
handle after over rotations. Also, make sure your
seat has maximum traction. DO NOT use only a
swimsuit. I have personally slid forward off the
front of the seat while learning this one, and it
hurts! Ooooch!
The Approach
Set your boat speed at
23-26 mph. Cut out about 25 feet. Wait until the line
is tight before you turn into the wake with a
moderate angle and pace. Start from whichever side
feels comfortable. Dip your board as you would for
any other jump or rolls, with your board coming off
the wake as you start the trick.
The Takeoff
Here's where things
can get tricky. You first need lift which requires
you to to up and back. Then you have to stop that
momentum and reverse it to throw it forward. You must
jump first before throwing the flip. Get air as you
normally do, but do not throw your shoulders back as
hard. Once the foil clears the water it's time to
throw the flop firmly and quickly by pulling the rope
to your boat side hip, and throwing your upper body
towards the tip of your ski. Throw your flip on the
same line as your approach. Most riders initiate the
rope pull with two hands, then throw their outside
hand down to aid in rotation.
Controlling the Line
Tension
If all has gone well
so far you will be up in the air spinning forward
with the line near your forward hip. The pull from
the boat will make it hard to keep the handle in and
tight with tension. But remember, it is this tension
which helps pull you through the spin. The tension
will also want to twist your shoulders open to the
boat. Don't do it! Maintain your same line, and keep
the handle in. The more you resist the boat with a
good line load, the faster you spin.
The Landing
Spotting your landing
is the most difficult part of this trick, and it is
also what makes consistency hard to achieve. At first
you probably won't see much. Hopefully you will have
spent some time with dry land flips to increase your
aerial awareness. If you wait to actually see the
water, chances are you will over rotate. When I first
learned, I looked for the horizon to time when to
open up. Maintain your angle as you land the flip. Do
not open up to the boat. This slows your spin and
makes the landing much harder without a tight line.
Get both hands on the handle and your upper body
forward after you hit.
One advanced
method I have used to spot the landing is to look
over my inside shoulder mid way through the rotation.
This gives you a much earlier spot, but be careful.
When you look over your shoulder it's easy to also
turn your shoulder, and you don't want that. Turn
your head without turning your shoulders to employ
this early spot technique.
- Tony
Klarich
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