A Freestyle Renaissance

"Go and learn how to Flaka then come back & tell us all how to do it".

Clyde: Freestyle is only for kids right? Well maybe that’s just an excuse that I use because I can't really do it and haven’t put myself through the pain of crashing a move thousands of times before maybe getting one. The Flaka is a very cool move, and apparently it opens the door to a whole host of other freestyle moves, so surely it is something that most of us should at least try, before dismissing it? During some flat periods this winter in Cape Town and with the relentless instruction from Ben Proffitt, and the use of his freestyle board, I went about learning this seemingly impossible move.

This is NOT a full-on “how to article”, it is hopefully going to inspire you to try this move by watching the steps you have to make through the eyes of someone who had never attempted a flaka, is no young gun hotshot but who now, after a lot of work, can…(just about) Flaka.

What actually is a Flaka?

Simply put, a Flaka is an aerial sliding upwind 360. This means that to learn one you need to be able to Heli-Tack and Upwind 360. So if you can’t do them, then leave now and go to TECHNIQUE where Jem Hall will teach you the heli tack and upwind 3.

First Attempts.

For some reason quite unknown to myself, I decided to try one during a wave session at Melkboss. It didn’t work, but more to the point it didn’t hurt - cue the start of my mission. Next session and we were at flatwater Langebaan. With the instruction and freestyle board of one Ben Proffitt, I was not to come off the water until I had one. I didn’t get it but I was hooked. My third day at them was a bit more adventurous, but disastrous. Whilst I actually slid round a couple three quarters of the way, I wasn’t quite in control. But you just have to keep going for them and get the mindset right that they are not that scary.

“The Bet”

A week later, after time off wavesailing, I was determined to try them again. This time I was out on a 4.7 and a freestyle board, and to be honest it wasn’t going so well. I had made a bet with female hot shot Laure Treboux that I would beat her to them on starboard tack (foolish, since she is pretty amazing at freestyle). I experienced more crashes than I can imagine ever doing. But despite this, I was feeling some progress. I didn’t get any, but put that down to being overpowered. Ben wouldn’t let me leave without at least 5 more attempts. This is why these guys are so good, they just don’t give up! Me, well if I haven’t sussed it in a few goes I’m not so interested!

So, I changed down to my 3.7 sail. I know, 3.7 weather sounds far too windy to be learning freestyle but the big board and small sail combination seemed to be working. I started to get the rig movement right with the smaller sail; I was so close but still no flaka…

The First Flaka

Another week later..

Due to some general injuries and tiredness, I took a few days off to repair. It was over a week ago that I had my first near successes. The wind was gusty and shifting all over the shop, hardly ideal. I rigged a 4.7m & my big wave board (Ben was using his freestyle kit – bugger!) The first goes seemed alright, but then I seemed to be going backwards (not literally, unfortunately). I wasn’t in the mood, it was cloudy, I had a hangover, I was in the middle of a good chapter of my book and to be honest I pretty much wanted to give up the whole idea and accept failure. Lying in the water pretty hacked off, I set to sail back in.

Above: one step forwards two back

My coach, Ben, was shouting “One more go, just one more go!” “Ok, Ok I get it, for flakas sake!

I changed my strategy. Jump, throw, kick. Jump, throw, kick. I repeated this in my head the whole way down the run, bearing off to find a slight lull and a perfect piece of chop. I popped (not too well), threw the rig and kicked. In Matrix-esque slow motion I was sliding around and dodging bullets. I got my bearings and steered the sail through the rest. I was facing the same way! It was not perfect, in fact the weirdest looking flaka I’ve ever seen. I looked across at Ben just to verify and he was on his knees laughing himself stupid. I took that as a yes. On the next runs I was spinning round well, but stacking it at the end. Hopefully next time the conditions will be smoother, and this story will have a happy ending. (Pssst.. I won the bet with Laure Treboux)

Flaka World…Quite a few sessions later.

After many freestyle sessions and a little less crashing, I have now done quite a few Flakas. Can I get one on film? Not really!!! But here is one I managed to blag quite well, plus a whole load of closeness. You will see that even on the super spinny ones I manage to stop them just before the end. The reason is because I just push out on my back hand. Don’t ever do this.

Below: It's coming together

Not everyone will have the luxury of a winter in Cape Town, but if you are confident on a short board and don’t mind a bit of swimming, then make the FLAKA this year's move. Don’t be put off by crashes where you end up in strange positions. Hit it a thousand times and you might even get one. Good Luck!

See some classic flakas in the moves and movies section.

Below: Yehaaaa, I've got it!!!