Jumping : Backroll Transition

The Backroll Transition

Now that you have (almost) mastered the backroll, it's time to spice it up a bit. Adding a transition to a backroll, in practice, is not as difficult as it may look or seem. We are going to go through the motions of a regular backroll, but take off in the other direction instead of continuing on.

The only major change from a regular backroll will be our hand position on the bar and our board angle at the landing. There is also a slight weight change at the end, as we want to switch our weight from our current back leg to the new back leg to brace against the kites pull.

Hand Position and Kite Direction

Kill as much speed as possible before the pop. Instead of using our front hand on the bar, we are going to use our back hand. Move you back hand to the middle of the bar and let go of your front hand this time. As we start the rotation, we pull with our back hand, slowly sending the kite across 12 o'clock and down the other side of the window. The key here is to slowly move the kite, so start with your hand close to the center of the bar. If the kite is sent to drastically, you will not be able to rotate and you may send the kite through a loop. If you find you are having trouble exiting the move, then move your rear hand a little off center, or, give and extra pull (to dive the kite) as you spot your landing.

Board Angle and Weight Change

We still want to land with the board 45 degrees off the wind, but this time the other (originally rear) tip will be downwind. We also want to get our weight through onto our new rear foot so we can balance the power of the kite in the new direction. To get this angle, try pushing out on your new front as you spot your landing and keeping your back leg tucked in. You should land with you weight over your back leg and your front leg pointing down wind.

Now you are ready to sail at the beach, pop up, backroll, and take off away from the cheering crowd.