Flat Water BR Clues?

wildman326

Who else?
Location
Kansas
OK. So my set-up is getting pretty respectable (says me :rolleyes: )

But I now realize that I'm shifting to the back of the ski right after take-off, which puts me too far from center and therefore I don's spin enough - 270 degrees ~ best case, and way too far back.

I think what I need to do is a few of things:
1) turn my head and look to the left so my body will follow
2) keep my hands at my waist and
3) stay over the hood

Does anyone out there that can do flatwater BRs actually remember being at this stage? What did you do to overcome it?

It seems to be one big blur that ends the same way because I've taught myself the wrong way to do it.

If I don't get any good advice here I plan on trying to keep thinking of what I want to do different until my body follows what my brain says.

You know how it is: I do 3 or 4 set ups and finally one looks good so I make an attempt. Then do it again. Then again, Etc. until an hour or so has passed and it's time to go home.

BTW - "Move to the coast and do it in the surf!" is not yet an option . . . so please don't remind me how far landlocked I am.
 

Glory_Freestyle

Old, but still ridin'!!!
You need to do two things with your head, not just one.

First. As you start the rotation, look down at the bond rail on the left. Looking between the bars and the chinpad is a good reference point. This will help keep you body forward and get the rotation going.

Second. As you approach inverted, look over your right shoulder to spot your landing and keep the rotation going.

Like yo said, you want your head to be positioned over the chinpad/hood. Also make sure you "croutch" down in the tray. The straighter your knees are the slower you will rotate.

If you roll to the right, just do the opposite.

Watch Ratti's promo vid that Southtown did. At about 3:30 he does a great BR that shows the "look Left, then Right"

http://www.nascencyproject.com/videos/Ratti_promo.wmv
 
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parrdaddy

No he will not!
And try to keep your handlepole on the hood, or very close to it. It will feel crazy the first time you try, like you have no leverage to save your face........but fear not, you're already ugly :haha: Sorry, that was a joke :27: But seriously, keep your pole down low, that will make your body come forward :Banane01:
 

wildman326

Who else?
Location
Kansas
Thank you to everyone who has resopneded so far!!

It seems the left to right head action is part of what keeps you centered over the ski as well as keeping the spinning motion.

I know this is a problem for me because even tough I can get the whole process started, I can see no end or completion . . . it's a big mess after take-off. Even on the ones that seem good I'm so far back that I don't think I could land it if it were further around. They come around with the nose high.

The few times that I've kept my legs crouched and hit the set-up correctly have always been the best. I plan on going back out on Friday or Saturday and will try what I've read here.

I've heard "more power" or "more speed" - but that doesn't seem necessary until my form is more accurate. Higher and faster would only result in more drastic crashes if I'm not spinning correctly. Besides, I think I'm about right on both speed and power based on what I've seen when videotaping myself vs. other clips I've seen here.
 

RMBC Freeride

Vintage
Site Supporter
Location
Pueblo, CO
I don't have any suggestion for you because I do EXACTLY the same things when I attempt my rolls. Too far back, not looking left - then right, nose high, pole too high, legs too straight... And I got the shiner last year just like you to prove it! LOL.

Good advice from everyone... thx!
 
P

PancakePete

Guest
I drop shoulder in the direction your going sometimes that helps some. also always try looking under nose.

RMBC - sig block is cool, what is the secret pancakes ?
 
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PancakePete

Guest
RMBC Freeride said:
You should have been in Texas...

I wish. I am bumbed I missed it. That is the first one since the begining of last year. Sucks. You do what you got to do sometimes.
Its all good and I know you guys had a blast, that is what matters ! :arms:
Sorry for the thread jack... So whats the Pancakes, New trick ? :sneaky:
 

parrdaddy

No he will not!
PancakePete said:
I drop shoulder in the direction your going sometimes that helps some. also always try looking under nose.

Hey Pete, how do you look under the nose while standing in the tray? That sounds dangerous to me :wink:

Wildman, you're going to get so much adivce here that your head will spin.....and not in a barrel roll! Where is Geek, he is great at analyzing the mechanics of tricks. If I were you, I'd do what he says if he ever replys :wink: Another good teach is Pat Bogart, ikstej, maybe shoot him a PM :cheer:
 
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PancakePete

Guest
parrdaddy said:
Hey Pete, how do you look under the nose while standing in the tray? That sounds dangerous to me.

LOL, I meant in that direction, If you look that way and not think about leaning, it helps you spin a little faster. :banghead:
I should say look towards the front exhaust or in that direction.
 

wildman326

Who else?
Location
Kansas
Pete, So you sort of look toward the nose exhaust the entire time? Or do you shift toward looking the other way part way through?

I know there will be a ton of advice . . . I'll use what works and discard the rest. You never know what will do the trick until you try and it works or doesn't.
 
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PancakePete

Guest
wildman326 said:
Pete, So you sort of look toward the nose exhaust the entire time? Or do you shift toward looking the other way part way through?

I know there will be a ton of advice . . . I'll use what works and discard the rest. You never know what will do the trick until you try and it works or doesn't.

Ask Parr.... :cool2: He is the Flatwater master. :wink: hehehe ! :Banane01: alll Love !
when I do my setup and lean, I try looking toward the front exhaust and that helps me lean right without thinking to much about it because your
leaning your head in the right direction and speeds up my roll. there is a ton of different helping methods. I personally have tried different things from this site. some help and some help me Pancake..... :biggthumpup:
This was an add on to the keep pole low, bend and lean foward good.
I was just adding to the great advice listed above. :biggrin:
 
Y

yamaslut

Guest
great advice guys... I will be trying these at Lanier and this summer too when it's flat :smile:
 

freestylegeek

waiting...
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Iv'e found that it's all about the tuck.
The tighter you stay, the faster you spin.
The rolls that work out awesome are the ones I land with the pole on the hood, and my butt on my heels.

Keeping the tuck is SOOOOOO FREEEEKING hard to do though!
 

wildman326

Who else?
Location
Kansas
Yeah, it's hard. You think about it and think about it and you make your self like a tight fist and then when you go airborne its like a shock to the nerves and you completely unravel.

Nevertheless, this is all VERY helpful. Gotta keep it up, keep trying, keep improving, until . . . I get it.
 
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