Flatspin - Freestyle Tricks - NiftyTricks Kayak

Kayak / Freestyle Tricks / Flat Spin

Freestyle Tricks

Essential Tricks

Dictionary

Kayak Team

kayak video clips

Video Clips

Learn how you can contribute footage.

Requires Quicktime get it here

Tyler - 360 flatspin

84k

Tyler - back to front

76k

Tyler - continous flatspins

324k

Tyler -two180s

144k

The definition - Any move on a wave in which the boat does a 180 degree or more rotation across the surface of the wave, never leaving the wave and ending in a surf.


Start high on the wave	Paddle in a rudder	Keep boat flat	Look with your head

How To -

Prep - To do this trick you should first establish a surf on the wave. Try carving around a little bit to feel out the wave. Find the steepest most consistent section of the wave, then plant yourself there. A flat spin starts at the top of the wave and ends in the trough of the wave. You are spinning down the face of the wave.

First 180 - (1) Start at the top of the wave.

(2) Place your paddle in a rudder position behind the back of your boat. You are going to rotate around the paddle. When you first start to spin around your paddle you're going to have to remember that this is a flat spin. KEEP YOUR BOAT FLAT. Keep your weight centered over your butt. It is very common to see people trying to use their edges to spin. By dropping an edge while your trying to spin, the current will grab it and pull you off the wave and probably flip you in the process.

(3) Start the spin with a small pry with your back rudder while dropping enough weight into the upstream edge to match the angle of the wave, which will help the boat break free and start to slide. With a flat-bottomed boat you should be able to surf as well sideways (called a grind) as you do frontwards or backwards.

A tip here, as with any spin in any sport, is that your body follows your head.

(4) When you start your spin turn your head to see where your going. Use your pry to finish spinning you into a back surf. Now just relax and enjoy the back surf for a moment. Your just got a 180 flat spin!


Start another rudder	Still keep the boat flat	Good Job, You've spun a 360

Second 180 - The second 180 spin relies on the same principals as the first 180, but here many people have a tendency to drop an edge to finish it around. Don't give in. You still have to keep your boat flat.

(5) Put your paddle into the wave near the top next to the front of your boat. Once again pry with this rudder stroke.

(6) Keep your head turned and looking now towards the trough of the wave. On the second 180, remember to drop just enough weight to get the boat flat on the wave still. It will be on the opposite side than the first spin. After you come completely around you have done it.

(7) You're a hero! A 360 flat-spinin' hero!

While your doing your flat spin keep your elbows in. This helps you keep the boat flat on the wave.

Be sure to keep practicing. You will only get better. Waves are always changing and no two waves will ever be the same. You may have to modify your technique to suit the wave. Good luck and keep trying.

- Tyler Bradt

History -

The Savage Fury was really the first boat that could do a true flat spin. Later Necky released the Jive, which was the first boat that allowed most paddlers to easily flat spin. Then Wave Sport released the X boat which allowed everyone to spin on the right wave. Now most any new boat will want to spin if you're ready or not.

Have you got another way to do this trick or any suggestions for other paddlers? Please let us know and contribute to Niftytricks.

Home | Skateboard | Snowboard | Ski