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Front Loop
Q:
Dear Dr Windsurfing Fixit
I am attempting my first forward loop. However when I am preparing
to try the loop, about 2 seconds from take off I suffer sudden, severe
and uncontrollable genitalia shrinkage. The onset of this condition
puts me off trying the loop. How can I stop this embarrassing personal
problem? Anonymous.
A:
Yes, the good old forward loop, had to come up sooner or later. This
problem you are describing is well known amongst sailors, and the
disease has actually been said to be able to get lads actually giving
up windsurfing altogether because they cant handle it ! Girls
would be in an advantage there, as there is not much to shrink, so
girls, there you go, you should all be forward looping !!
Seriously, the forward loop is actually really easy, and once mastered
it is as easy as gybing basically. Forget all the talk about injuries
etc. whatever they tell you, as long as you dont let go of the boom
whilst trying it, I guarantee you will not hurt yourself. There is
of course a certain amount of pain you must be willing to bear as
you will fall on your a.. about 85 times until you can do them, you'll
have problems sitting at the desk all day long the next day, but hey,
its all worth it, as its certainly the best feeling you can get whilst
windsurfing (apart from down the line big waveriding !). Plimmerton
or the Ditch are perfect for having your first go at it. I believe
as long as you can chop-hop and have decent sail control you will
be able to forward loop. THe two key elements which made the breakthrough
for me were: Dont go too fast and not too downwind, like everyone
tries to tell you, as it scares the shit out of you and you will loose
confidence. Nicely powered on a normal reach does it for your first
attempts. Jump- sheet in as hard as you can, dont !!!!! look where
you will be flying, rather just close your eyes and roll your head
in slightly. You're safe already, and it will not hurt ! The
next step after you've done this about 30 times, is the breakthrough.
You will land on your back hopelessly all the time and your feet will
come undone during the air. Try to tighten the feet in the straps
beore the launch as much as you can. Once in the air, tuck your legs
in as hard as you can whilst sheeting in. If you can remember to do
this, I am pretty sure you will have pulled off your first forward.
From there go to Plimmerton and try it off a little wave. (Not a big
one!!!!), the higher you go, the less quick you sheet in or you will
hopelessly overrotate.
The forward loop is a mind game, nothing
else. Its easy and a lot less dangerous than you think. It has been
said to help if you really want to be able to do it so badly, that
you just go out there and do it. Also, check out another guy on the
beach who can do them and tell yourself, whatever he can do, I can
do, he isnt braver than me etc...
And the sad part is, as soon as you
can master the forward, someone comes up with a pushloop or a bloody
10 meter high volcan... now there are some dangerous moves....!!
Have fun! MH
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