Backside 360

One spin, please!

Klaus Twilling demonstrates the backside 360, a 360-degree rotation performed upwind into a breaking wave. Those who have already mastered the shaka as a freestyle move have a clear advantage when performing it in waves. Heli tack and upwind 360 in flat water are good preliminary exercises.

Listen to these tips from Klaus on the backside 360:

The move works best initially in a wave that does not break hollow. You surf down the wave in upwind direction and toward the breaking part.

Board move - pop onto the wave
When you are at the peak and in front of the wave, press the leeward rail down hard into the water with your back foot. You put your weight on your back foot and your center of gravity is above the board. The board pops out of the water and the nose flies toward the white water. Your board lands on the white water and the wave carries you along. Now the wave and the sail control take over the last part of the rotation.

Sail move
When popping, you take the power off the sail by bringing it into the backwinded position. You stretch out your mast hand and pull in your sail hand. The movement follows the board, and the sail should feel completely neutral - you should not feel any sail power in your hand! The mast (the mast top) turns into the wind. The sail is strongly tilted into the wind, which reduces the power in the sail. The power in the sail only builds up again when the sail is raised in the backwinded position. Now you control the sail by reaching far back with your sail hand and pushing the leech through the wind.

You're done, just link a down the line ride now. - SHAKA!!!

Waves Backside 360 Level ★★★★★★ Rider: Klaus Twilling Text: Jürgen Schall Text: Klaus Twilling Photos/Videos: Jürgen Schall DE

back to search result