Photo courtesy of PWA/John Carter
Video courtesy of Carl Nyberg/Fanatic

You’d think the Pros would have had this move dialled years ago being that the forward loop is so ‘simple’! But actually using the lip of the wave to get enough height to loop and then land back on the wave face is not so simple. However, here we have 2007 PWA Vice Wave Champ Victor Fernandez who pulled this out the bag during the recent Fanatic photo shoot on Maui. We want to see more of this cool move so get practising boys!

Have you been practicing this move or did you just think; 'Let's go for it for the photo shoot!'
Victor: I´ve tried this move several times before but during the photo shoot I had a lot of motivation sailing together with all the other Fanatic team riders and it helped to try the move.

Do you need cross off shore conditions to do them front side, or do you think they are possible in more cross or cross-on conditions?
Victor: I think the move is more for cross off shore conditions where you keep the wind on the sail and good speed on the wave. In cross-on conditions I have not tried it because for me it seems to be more a down-the-line move.

Is the forward technique any different from doing a 'normal' forward loop?
Victor: It is a different technique to land it properly in the wave because the wave does not have the vertical wall as when you do a normal forward. In this way I have to look for the lip as a normal aerial to give me the push to the front and after a try to do the forward more quickly.

Why is it taking so long for the simple forward loop to be incorporated into the waves when a lot of sailors can pull off moves like the wave 360 and goitas?
Victor: I think this move has not been tried as many times as other moves like goitas or 360´s, but it has been done a long ago in competition by Rush Randle at Ho’okipa. I definitely want to work more on it because it is a cool move!

Finally, how do you think it will score in a wave heat, against, for example, a goita?
Victor: I think it will score the same as 360´s, takas or goitas. It just depends on which part of the wave you go for it on.