Forward Loops

Are you brave enough to pull the trigger?

The forward loop is probably still the most impressive looking stunt to your average bystander, but it’s also an equally great way to impress your mates too. In terms of technique the forward is one of the easiest manoeuvres out there, but it presents a psychological barrier many fail to break through, however if you can summon up the courage you will soon be rewarded with not only the great feeling of landing your first forward loop, but also the perfect way to show off to everyone at the beach.  

So, if you are ready to take the plunge and pull the trigger for the first time makes sure you read on to find out the top tips from some of the best in the business. Good luck.

Marc Paré (99NoveNove / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins):

“When you want to go for the forward loop I think that the most important thing you need is to have proper speed. So, get planing with good speed and spot the ramp and as you start climbing up the ramp move your back hand as far back as possible (you can also move your front hand back a little). Once the board has lost contact with the water, put the sail as much forward as possible by extending your arms and right after this close the sail as hard as you can and look back (really important). Remember to extend the front leg and to put the back leg as close as possible to the sail so the nose stays down.  Keep the sail well closed with the front arm extended, this will block the power on the clew of the sail and fill focus on the front of the sail and then you will go SIDEWAYS (this is what we are looking for).  Once you are rotating and you are under the sail (not above) all you have to do is let the move flow until the landing, where you will have to open the sail a little bit and extend the back leg.”

Markus Rydberg (Simmer / Simmer):

“First of all, there will never be a perfect ramp for the first forward loop. Just decide you are going to go for it and commit! My top tip is do it from a pretty small but steep ramp in the beginning to get the kicker you need. Then throw the rig, with a wide grip on the boom, up and forward, almost like you are tensioning a bow. Pull in your legs, look back and rotate. Just start with this to get the rotation and a feel for the move. Later you can work out your own style, get more height and fine tune the move afterwards. Good luck.” 

Adam Sims (Patrik / Sailloft Hamburg / Flymount):

“Well first you need a lot of power in the sail and to aim for a decent piece of chop. Then move your hands back, front one on the harness lines and back one on the clamp, throw the sail high and across as you hit the chop and then as you sheet in hard pull your body up and over the boom, stay sheeted in and try to land a little bit off the wind to come out at full speed, sometimes you can land faster than when you took off but it's worth just focusing on your hand placement on the boom and tucking up tight to the boom first. Good luck.”

Ben Proffitt (Simmer / Simmer):

“Just sheet in and look back!  If you look back, it is much less scary and the whole move just happens without you really having to do anything.”

John Skye (RRD / RRD / MFC):

“The main thing with the forward loop is just to get over the fear and go for it because at the end of the day it’s pretty easy! I think the main mistake people make is trying to throw the sail over the front, when you actually need to throw it out to the side and really sheet in with your backhand. If you do that you will rotate - probably onto your back to begin with. The hardest thing is going for your first ones. Try and think of it as a side loop rather than a forward loop to help you visualise what you need to do! Oh and however far your hand is down the boom, put it further! Other than that just go for it!”

Marco Lufen (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins):

“Try to put your backhand further towards the clew. Once you are about to do it, you move the sail forward. Once the sail is upright, you fully sheet in with your backhand and look backwards. While you do that, you try to keep the backfoot close to your bum. Once you rotate...hold on to your boom and wait!”