Loops are some in m opinion one of the coolest tricks out there. They are a front flip done in a hole or wave feature. Loops are easiest in holes or steep angled waves. To setup angle your boat perpendicular to the feature. Lean forward and plug your bow under the water(kicking down helps). This will create the potential energy needed for the pop. Right before you feel the boat is about to jump back up again help it. Jump up and do a regular front flip motion like you would on the trampoline where your hands and body curl towards the boat. By now the loop should be half way finished. The final and last step is to throw your weight back with the paddle blades over your head to push away any water in case your loop falls short.
If you are having troubles plugging
Try to reduce the amount of movement on the wave and plug slowly. A perfect deep plug helps in getting giant air. An air bonus is awarded in competitions
If you are having troubles landing on waves
Loops are occasionally difficult to land in the feature. Big waves with a big foam pile help in the landing, while small waves will push you down stream once you plug in the green. There is no sure way of landing these tricks yet jumping upstream seems to help.
Loops in small holes/waves
While approaching for the plug do so slowly, back paddle while approaching and don't plug nearly as deep.
To re-iterate
1. Plug leaning forward and perpendicular to the hole/wave.
2. Stand up and do a front flip motion ending back up on the bow.
3. The loop stroke: Lean backwards and use the paddle above you head to recover if the loop falls short
Continuing onto the Space Godzilla
Once you've mastered the loop you can try the Space Godzilla which is an off axis loop to the left or right. Instead of doing a front flip motion directly forwards do it aiming to one side of the boat. Occasionally, loops may turn into Space Godzilla's if the plug comes in at an angle.
Things to remember
- The plug determines whether your loop/Space Godzilla will be successful/have air or not
- Time the moves individually.
- Remember the loop stroke
- If you get one thank Clay wright for inventing the loop
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An update for family (Not Loop/Space Godzilla related)
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I've learnt a lot and can't wait til a competition day because I've had some nice ~200-300 point rides in some holes. I've also learnt to double pump which is where you get on to your bow in flat water. I have had too much fun and a week remains :(. There is also a rapid known as Garvins which includes different lines. These are Dragon's tongue, Elevator Shaft, ST chute, WT chute/Staircase. I've run all of these, but the one I'm most proud of is Dragon's tongue because it is huge. Here is a picture http://goo.gl/YSMGeD On Thursdays we get beat down in giant features to get comfortable in situations and not swim. I haven't swam for all the time here which I am quite proud of. There was recently a time when I got stuck in a wave/hole known as right side horseshoe that was really difficult to surf out of. I must've spent 4 minutes in it trying to get out but plugged for a fail loop and it spit me out. I also almost lost my paddle when I was told to try a hand loop. I paddled onto the wave and threw the paddle back into the eddy but no one caught it and it went down stream. Luckily Kalob Grady found it. I'll be back soon.
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