Andrew Palim - How to Backstab

The backstab is a really unique aerial move in which the paddler starts in a backsurf, bounces down the wave and rotates the boat 180 degrees around the stern while vertical, landing in a frontsurf. Recently I have been trying backstabs on a bunch of waves on the Ottawa, like Infinity Wave and Butterfly on the middle channel and Corner Wave and Babyface at McCoy's rapid. I have not yet figured out how to throw this trick and land it on the wave, but I have really enjoyed getting air and vertical backwards for the first time.

The keys that I've found for going big on your backstabs are to:

Edge hard on the opposite side you want to throw the backstab. This along with a backstroke on that side reels up the bow and helps bounce you down the wave.  Think about scooping your bow under the wave. The harder you edge the bigger and more vertical your backstab will be.

Switch edges and pull a stern initiation stroke,  pulling your bow over your head into a frontsurf. The harder and faster your switch edges and pull the stern initiation stroke the snappier and better your backstab will be.

I haven't yet figured out how to stick the trick but Steve-O tells me that I should push on my feet to push the bow down back to flat in order to avoid stalling off your stern and flushing. I assume also putting in a few fast forward strokes (see my other blog) should help but I'm not sure.

Have fun trying this exhilarating and unique trick and a big thanks to James for teaching me how to backstab!