Technique Time

Next up in our freestyle series is the no-handed flaka, which is still one of the most stylish moves when performed well, while being a real crowd pleaser. As a prerequisite for this move you’ll need to be able to regular flaka, while it may be a good idea to build up confidence for releasing the rig by also learning them one-handed. 

Dieter Van der Eyken (Starboard / Severne): 

 - My top tip for the no-handed flaka would be that you DONT throw the sail but place it in front of you just before you go for it.

- How? As you carve downwind and start to move you sail to the front let go of your backhand first and move the sail as far forwards as possible with your front hand. When your front arm is fully stretched out let go with your hands (the sail will still go more forwards at this point) and jump the flaka.

Rick Jendrusch (Severne):

- Carve down wind like with a normal flaka, at the point when your at the most down wind point of the carve you have to throw your sail to the nose of your board.

- Just lay your sail down flat, don’t push it to hard because it has to flow with the wind. 

- At the moment when the sail is lying in the wind and it is almost starting to come back to you, you have to swing around with your arms and then jump to get the rotation of the flaka. You have to do this with the momentum of the carve still.

- It’s important that you don’t push with your backhand too much!

Max Rowe (Simmer / Simmer Sails / Mystic):

- All about placing the sail with your front hand and then winding up your body ready for the pop as you’re doing it. 

Thanks once again to Dieter, Rick and Max for taking the time to offer their top tips.