Forums > Kitesurfing Queensland

Back roll probs

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Created by RobertDrummond > 9 months ago, 28 May 2015
RobertDrummond
QLD, 4 posts
28 May 2015 5:51PM
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I've been having trouble with my bankrolls; i can't pop high enough. I've landed a couple but they were all kinda sketchy - I only can just slide the board underneath me. I can do big jumps and backroll when doing a jump( can bachkroll while sending the kite to 12 o'clock ) but just can't do an ordinary backrill (with the kite parked at 9,10 o'clock). Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

kemp90
QLD, 1692 posts
28 May 2015 7:07PM
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RobertDrummond said...
I've been having trouble with my bankrolls; i can't pop high enough. I've landed a couple but they were all kinda sketchy - I only can just slide the board underneath me. I can do big jumps and backroll when doing a jump( can bachkroll while sending the kite to 12 o'clock ) but just can't do an ordinary backrill (with the kite parked at 9,10 o'clock). Any tips would be greatly appreciated.


Edge harder maybe, with a stomp on the back foot. Or there might not be enough power in the kite.

RobertDrummond
QLD, 4 posts
28 May 2015 7:29PM
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I've been trying to edge hard but maybe the stomp on the back leg might help. Thank you.

ONYX
WA, 116 posts
29 May 2015 6:59AM
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Is this hooken in or unhooked?

Gilly3
QLD, 794 posts
29 May 2015 3:38PM
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Powered Backroll.....

1. Set the kite right. You should have the kite at around 10-11 O'clock. Slightly higher than you would have it if you're nicely locked in and cruising along.
If you're overpowered and it's lifting you then lower the kite a bit: you need to be able to edge quite hard to initiate the roll.

2. Watch your hands. Especially for the first few attempts, put both hands towards then centre of the bar. This will make you much less likely to move the kite mid manouvre. When you have more of a feel for it, you can get it dialed with your hands in your normal riding position.

3. Have some speed. You don't need loads of speed, but you need to be moving comfortably with the kite locked in.

4. Choose your spot. If the conditions are right, then look for a decent size bit of chop to roll off.

5. Carve. Dig an edge in and move your kiteboard up into the wind - push your back foot fairly hard and the nose will start lifting up and initiating the roll...
(NOTE: you will have to do this more aggressively if you haven't got chop to go off)

6. Turn your head. Your body isn't all that clever: it always follows your head. This is probably the key part of the move: you must to throw your head back over your front shoulder. And really throw it. This is where you have to have a bit of faith as the first time it just doesn't feel right!

7. Pull your legs up towards your chest. Your board should have lifted as you started turning your head, and this should feel quite natural. The first few times you probably won't have too much time to think about your board - that's fine...

8. Spot your landing. As this is a roll, you shouldn't really be coming down with too much speed, it's more a case of ensuring that you do not over or under rotate. Look down and anticipate where you'll land. Again, your body should follow your head, so make sure you look where you want to end up.

9. Power Up. If your backroll has been really tight then you may be able to keep on going with your kite locked in. If not - or if you've gone higher than expected - be ready to swing your kite down to generate some speed out of the move.

Ride away grinning.....

fcalmon
QLD, 165 posts
29 May 2015 11:20PM
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A wealth of knowledge !

Wallis1986
QLD, 130 posts
30 Jun 2015 6:56AM
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I used to explain it like standing with your back facing a bed. Then jumping to land on the bed on your back. With the kite parked around 10

kemp90
QLD, 1692 posts
30 Jun 2015 8:12AM
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Gilly3 said...


Powered Backroll.....

1. Set the kite right. You should have the kite at around 10-11 O'clock. Slightly higher than you would have it if you're nicely locked in and cruising along.
If you're overpowered and it's lifting you then lower the kite a bit: you need to be able to edge quite hard to initiate the roll.

2. Watch your hands. Especially for the first few attempts, put both hands towards then centre of the bar. This will make you much less likely to move the kite mid manouvre. When you have more of a feel for it, you can get it dialed with your hands in your normal riding position.

3. Have some speed. You don't need loads of speed, but you need to be moving comfortably with the kite locked in.

4. Choose your spot. If the conditions are right, then look for a decent size bit of chop to roll off.

5. Carve. Dig an edge in and move your kiteboard up into the wind - push your back foot fairly hard and the nose will start lifting up and initiating the roll...
(NOTE: you will have to do this more aggressively if you haven't got chop to go off)

6. Turn your head. Your body isn't all that clever: it always follows your head. This is probably the key part of the move: you must to throw your head back over your front shoulder. And really throw it. This is where you have to have a bit of faith as the first time it just doesn't feel right!

7. Pull your legs up towards your chest. Your board should have lifted as you started turning your head, and this should feel quite natural. The first few times you probably won't have too much time to think about your board - that's fine...

8. Spot your landing. As this is a roll, you shouldn't really be coming down with too much speed, it's more a case of ensuring that you do not over or under rotate. Look down and anticipate where you'll land. Again, your body should follow your head, so make sure you look where you want to end up.

9. Power Up. If your backroll has been really tight then you may be able to keep on going with your kite locked in. If not - or if you've gone higher than expected - be ready to swing your kite down to generate some speed out of the move.

Ride away grinning.....


Christ, I didn't know there was that many steps in doing a back roll.

flyingcab
VIC, 942 posts
30 Jun 2015 11:04AM
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Sounds like you just need to get more pop, as you already have the technique down.
Just look at how to load and pop when unhooking and apply the same technique.

Gilly3
QLD, 794 posts
1 Jul 2015 7:02AM
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kemp90 said..

Gilly3 said...


Powered Backroll.....

1. Set the kite right. You should have the kite at around 10-11 O'clock. Slightly higher than you would have it if you're nicely locked in and cruising along.
If you're overpowered and it's lifting you then lower the kite a bit: you need to be able to edge quite hard to initiate the roll.

2. Watch your hands. Especially for the first few attempts, put both hands towards then centre of the bar. This will make you much less likely to move the kite mid manouvre. When you have more of a feel for it, you can get it dialed with your hands in your normal riding position.

3. Have some speed. You don't need loads of speed, but you need to be moving comfortably with the kite locked in.

4. Choose your spot. If the conditions are right, then look for a decent size bit of chop to roll off.

5. Carve. Dig an edge in and move your kiteboard up into the wind - push your back foot fairly hard and the nose will start lifting up and initiating the roll...
(NOTE: you will have to do this more aggressively if you haven't got chop to go off)

6. Turn your head. Your body isn't all that clever: it always follows your head. This is probably the key part of the move: you must to throw your head back over your front shoulder. And really throw it. This is where you have to have a bit of faith as the first time it just doesn't feel right!

7. Pull your legs up towards your chest. Your board should have lifted as you started turning your head, and this should feel quite natural. The first few times you probably won't have too much time to think about your board - that's fine...

8. Spot your landing. As this is a roll, you shouldn't really be coming down with too much speed, it's more a case of ensuring that you do not over or under rotate. Look down and anticipate where you'll land. Again, your body should follow your head, so make sure you look where you want to end up.

9. Power Up. If your backroll has been really tight then you may be able to keep on going with your kite locked in. If not - or if you've gone higher than expected - be ready to swing your kite down to generate some speed out of the move.

Ride away grinning.....



Christ, I didn't know there was that many steps in doing a back roll.


Which part are u struggling with?

Maybe this will help......

Troubleshooting

Your first proper backroll may well be one of the most satisfying moments of your life: it really does feel like you've arrived. If, however, you find that you end up head first, or hearing that distinctive sound of kite-hitting-water-with-velocity, then try some of these:

I never really seem to take off?!
Make sure that you're powered up, and that you have some speed. If this isn't doing it then try with your kite higher in the window. If you're having trouble finding chop, then you may have to wait for a good cross shore day when you're heading out on your good side and you've got something to roll off.

I get launched upward and just keep spinning?!

You're 'sending' the kite. Your natural reaction as you start spinning is to pull the back of your bar and send the kite: this will send you upwards. Make sure you move your hands to the middle of the bar to minimise this, and try to think about where the kite is...

I don't turn far enough and end up on my head?!

Assuming you're popping and initiating the move correctly, you need to look over your shoulder more aggressively. Again, it doesn't feel right, but you need to really swing your head around and your body will follow. Imagine there's a hot chick riding behind you!

I seem to over rotate and end up on my back?
Your legs are key here. The more tucked up they are: the quicker you will rotate. Extend them as you come out of the roll and you should slow down and land in the right spot. Similarly, if you're not rotating far enough then tuck your legs in tighter.


Next Steps

The backroll opens the door to an entire realm of new moves... One of the main things is that it gives you the confidence to rotate and to be incorporating rotations into other moves.

The natural next step is to begin popping harder and spinning faster or higher, despite its simplicity the move has a lot of potential and can be tweaked indefinitely... You can also start dragging a hand as you go through the move, or start working in a few grabs.

Wherever the backroll takes you - it is a kitesurfing essential and a great move to have in your armoury. You might go on to nail much bigger and tougher tricks, but your first successful backroll will always be one of your sweetest kitesurfing moments...



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"Back roll probs" started by RobertDrummond