LEARNING BACKSIDE TRICKS: Backside Air Reverse, Layback Snap

09th August 2010
By Fatsurfer

I'm almost done with my backside trick lessons for you save for two important routines- the backside air reverse and the layback snap. This is a little tricky but you'll manage with constant practice and oozing self- confidence.
I'll take backside air reverse first for this lesson. This is consisting of two major parts- the spin the air coming off from a lip and landing backwards and then still continuing to spin. To start with, you need to choose a huge chunk of backside wave that is about as high as your chest level. Travel that line and then try to gain as much speed as you could take to send you up in the air. After this, execute a bottom turn of about 20 to 30 degrees in angle and jump off the wave in the meeting part of the lip and the whitewash. During all these, keep low and keep eyeing for a possible lip, then arch your knees and send your body up to the air. You do this by carrying your bodyweight upwards.
Up in the air; control the urge to extend your legs and other parts of the body because this will ruin not only your spin but also your landing. Keeping your legs close to legs steady, prepare next for your landing. It will be hard to see where you're going but you'll have at least a fair view of your landing area. You need to be extra strong for this lest you come into a fallback, which will not look good at all. Then that's it! Next thing to do is look for a new section where you can start off a new round of routine.

Now that we're done with backside air reverse, we come next to the layback snap. This is another tricky move but is so full of surprises too that‘s why I personally love it. I will be giving you concrete steps for the routine but the ultimate trick is to just enjoy, go naturally and develop a lot of self confidence.
First step is approaching either a steep section or a close out with speed to get a little frontside air along the way. Next, start your bottom turn with about 50 to 70 degrees angle. It is best to stay low while doing this. Somewhere along the middle of the wave, begin with your turn so that you will have more control and your fins in the back will stay tacked. Do your layback next by leaning back, putting the backside of your arm in the water and gaining as much pressure in your legs as possible. While in the wash, holding on will be really difficult but if you do it for a little longer you will be able to experience the surf of your life. While in it you pull the board very close and then make use of the wave to strengthen the backside of your feet. Ride away clean for a perfect finish.