Trying to learn a new trick on the lake, and first attempt i always seem to nearly get there and then on it becomes more difficult. Any hints, tips or secrets. The bit before the back winding is usually where i get thrown over board!!

Well the old 360, I've recently nailed this one and have moved onto the one handed version but I hope this will help.



Carve in as you would for a lay down gybe, keep the carve going and step forward with your front foot to get some weight on the nose or you'll stall the turn. Now the sail, i'm tending to let the boom end touch the water as i carve to stop me getting thrown off backwards but not getting the mast end too close to the water, this will help with the final bit when you force the nose through the wind while backwinded. Force the nose through the wind while backwinded and then fall back onto the sail and sheet in....



Its simple really, well it seems it after being thrown off backwards for years and getting as frustrated as you seem to be



good luck and i'll wave next time I try one.............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wise Words from the cookie monster!!



Just to elaborate on what he is saying.......

Foot Placement: This is a key issue with the 360. Make sure that when your back foot comes out of the strap, it is well forward and as close to the front as you can. This is in anticipation of stepping forward at the end of the move.



Hand Placement: Get your back hand well down the boom. This will enable you to lift the clew clear of the water. As you get better at it you might want to dip the boom in to slow you down, but at this stage you need to keep the boom clear. WHY? If you slow down to much you will stop carving at the downwind stage and get flicked into the water when the sail is backwinded. ALSO, if you try them in very windy conditions you will need to shove the clew down to the back of the board as you are getting backwinded to speed up the turn and stop the 'Big Flick'.



Keep your head up and looking forward. Step forward with your front foot when you get past a run.Keep the clew of the sail clear, shove it to the back of the board. If it is really windy you will also need to put the sail down lower to the water so you don't get backwinded.



Despit the pose factor, it is easier to do it one handed as the clew is lifted out of the water when you let go with your FRONT hand!!



Hope this helps!!

Ah the 360!!!



All the tips are spot on. Heres another....Windy John was saying how important it is to keep the board carving round...to do this you need speed going into the turn, so stay committed and lean well forward, as the rig starts to go light in the hands, drop it down and rake it back so that the foot of the sail is rubbing your shin. This has two effects, 1 it makes sure you are totally committed 2. helps tighten the turn and therefore get you through the eye of the wind .



Windy John is also spot on with the one handed (front hand off the boom) approach, it makes sure you are committed and also helps keeping the rig raked well back.



Good luck! Pegleg

As you step up at the end, try to keep the rig behind you by extending the arms. (This avoids eating the sail)



Pushing away with the back hand (as in the backwinded tack) will steer the board through the wind, then sink low and bear away.