How to do a flatwater loop- Carsten Dowdy

Have you ever wanted to show off your kayaking ability to your friends? I have. The flatwater loop is an extremely fun move to do and the stoke is beyond high when you finally get your first flat loop. The best part about flat loops is you can do them anywhere where there is water. This includes a pool, a lake, the ocean, and many other bodies of water. Here are a few steps on how to dial your first flat loop.

1. Attain some forward speed towards where you want to throw your loop.

2. One of the most crucial steps of the flat loop is getting into the bow stall. Getting into the bow stall position takes a lot of practice and failure. When you reach the spot you want to initiate the bow stall take a forward stroke on edge on the side you want to throw it. As you take the forward stroke lift your knees as high into the air as you can. Before your bow starts to drop after the forward stroke, flip your paddle over on its backside and drive your heels down through the water while pushing your paddle forward in a back stroke.

3. Once you are in the bow stall, you must hold it. A bow stall is held by a series of small movements keeping you stabilized and balanced in the upright position. If you find your boat flattening out, lean back a little. Leaning back to far will mean falling on your face. If you start to fall forward on your face, lean forward allowing your boat to stay stable in the bow stall position.

4. The pump is one of the most crucial steps of the flat loop. This step depends on how much air you get and the overall quality of your flat loop. To initiate the pump slice your paddle through the water and then flatten the blades out. After you flatten the blades out pull up on your paddle and push down on your feet.

5. If you have made it this far, congratulations, you are very close to getting your first flat loop. After the pump, you get rejected by the water and start to fly up in the air. At this point look up to the sky while holding your paddle in the air and throw your body forward chasing your bow as hard as you can. Shortly after this lean backwards on your back deck and kick your feet down.

6. The loop stroke is essential to pulling your loops through in flatwater. The way I prefer to do the loop stroke is with both paddle blades pushing back behind my head. When you feel your boat flatten out on the water, sit up. Congratulations, you have done your first flat loop!