The Forward Loop PART 1: The Skills This is one of the defining moves in windsurfing. This month we look at the technique required to perform the loop. Next month we will examine methods of getting through the mental barrier and going for it. This month's article aims to inspire the wannadoers, rotate the non-loopers and improve the loopers. I still remember my first full clean forward and I have not looked back (only when forwarding) since that day. The confidence gained from nailing it meant I probably learnt another 30 moves. I have lost count of the amount of people I have helped with this move from friends, clients, fellow coaches and pro sailors. All they did was prepare well, both mentally and physically, and commit. So lets get down to business. Jump up, look behind you and sheet in; rather simplified so lets look a little deeper.

Foundation

The more efficient and effective you sail the easier it all is and we are therefore calling upon all our sailing skills.

• Early planing - gets us up to speed to hit the right ramp
• Sailing upwind - gets us into the position where the ramps are
• Board control - extends the wind range we can do the move in
• Equipment set-up – gives us the pop and keeps us in the straps.

Whilst kit set up is personal, I find that the majority of good loopers have both a relatively high boom and a generous to big sizing of their footstraps.

In order to work towards the move concentrate on:

• Improving and developing your jumping and chop hopping skills
• Ensure that you are doing this airtime prep with your body over the board on take off.

Fundamentals

• Popping - Getting the board out of the water from setting up in a coiled position
• Look where we want to go - We are aiming to rotate and it is therefore crucial to look behind you. This helps pull the clew in and stops you bottling out
• Rig away - The front arm is extended through the rotation and landing. This increases rotational speed and lets the rig pull you from the water upon landing.

Key Stages

• Setting-up - Getting low and ready to pop with the backhand right back.
• Popping - Taking off cleanly whilst on a downwind course.
• Rotation - Looking back, pulling in on the backhand and the back leg.
• Landing - Extending the arms and scissoring the board to pull you out the water.

The Ramp

Choose a nice defined ramp, which is slightly downwind. It is amazing how much flat water has patterns of chop movement so keep scanning for those ramps. Small and steep waves are also very helpful. A little bit of chop downwind will give you so much more success than any sized ramp upwind.

The Kit

During the sequence below, I am well powered on 5.7 and a big freestyle board (110litres) and this would definitely be the biggest kit I would recommend. Ideally you should try learning on smaller kit such as a 5.0m or less. The key is to use what you find comfortable.

	Setting-Up
	Up to speed and look for a suitable ramp downwind. Sinking down ready to move the hand back.
	Back hand goes right back, unhook and hang with your bodyweight over the board. Stay low and ready to pop.
	Popping
	Just as you are about to pop, head right off the wind. Pop the board and begin extending your front arm towards the nose of the board.
	Continuing to really extend that front arm, you are now about to rotate as you begin pulling in hard with the back leg. Check out how the rig is forward AND across you.
	Rotation
	Let's go! Look back and pull in hard with the back arm. The back leg is really pulling now.
	Stay committed and compact. Front arm really extending and keep looking back. Tuck your back foot right into your bottom.
	The foot of the sail should be almost connected to the board. Keep looking back with your front arm extended and back arm in tight.
	Momentum will keep pulling you round. Begin to spot the landing.
	Ready yourself for a bit of a slap on the back and start to look forward in order to assist the get away.
	Landing
	On water contact, keep the rig away on extended arms. Think 'fastest waterstart of your life'. Notice I have slid my backhand back to the sailing position to assist a fast waterstart exit.
	Arms are fully extending and I am scissoring the board to further assist getting upright fast. Throw the sail up and open it to catch that valuable wind.
	Your rig is upright and open whilst you scissor the board off the wind. Hooray! Let's do it again!     Look back to help rotation and reduce fear Make sure your back hand is a LONG WAY down the boom Make sure you take off pointing further downwind than for a regular jump		View video of this move: Low bandwidth [MPEG, 244KB] High bandwidth [MPEG, 732KB]

Summary

• Get low and ready to pop with back hand right back
• Pop and take off downwind
• Extend front arm towards the nose
• Look back and pull in hard with back arm and leg
• Stay tucked and keep looking back
• Land and throw the rig upright and open
• Scissor the board off and go into early planing mode

Problems

• Getting flung out of the straps: Take off downwind and ensure the board is out of the water before initiating rotation.
• Slow rotation: Ensure you are centred over the board, extend the front arm more, look back at the clew, tuck your back foot into your bottom.

Epilogue

This moves success is firmly rooted in the mind and we will be covering this in detail next month. However here are some pointers to get you started:

a) Choose your spot and do it. Should you sail in one direction for a couple of miles looking for a perfect moment, all you will be ready for is a trip to the toilet due to your nerves being shredded!

b) Try it both ways. If you learn on one tack only, you will have to go through the whole learning process again for the other tack. Do them both at once and you will only have to learn once!

c) Focus on a looping session of about 10 – 20 minutes. Then go and do some moves you enjoy and can complete.

d) Be prepared for it to take over your life, general demeanour and your all round sailing standard!

Check out more examples of the forward loop in the Moves & Movies section.

Ben Proffitt K-800 "Throw your head backwards into a spin after take off. This takes the fear away and ensures a fast, clean rotation "
Phil Horrocks K-303 "Don’t let go of your boom! Letting go of your boom is the only way you can really get hurt as you may land on your kit. If you don’t let go, you wont get hurt – simple as that!"
Terry Luxton "Make sure the fin is out of the water before you start to spin, otherwise your feet will keep coming out of the straps "

For any windsurfing technique queries, feel free to contact Jem on:
jem@jemhall.com or visit www.jemhall.com

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