Hi, I am an intermiediate windsurfer who can gybe and jump. I am 78 kg ride a 85 litre AHD Pit and the biggest sail I use is a 5.0,normally a 4.5.

I am trying to get myself into the forward loop frame of mind.I understand the dynamics of the forward only really have to get over the fear factor.

What I need advice on is how loose/tight should I have my footstraps when attempting the forward? I am quite paranoid that my feet will slip out during rotation so any advice would be greatly appeciated.

Hey Bruce,

Great you are asking, we are working on a Loop specialized product right now - more infos soon

If you understand the dynamics, you're almost there!!

Footstraps:
You will only loose your board during the rotation if you don't tuck up, because the centrifugal forces on the straps and the board are more if it is further outside in the rotation - hope that makes sense...

It depends on how big you use your straps usually... I think commonly most people use their straps too small anyway (only toes in the strap or toes just coming out on the other side) - for normal sailing and a bit of jumping that's fine, but once you really need to keep the board on your feet, make them bigger... freestylers have them super big, so they go in as far as possible - this way it is easy to hold the board if you need to and at the same time you can get out of the straps easily when necessary.

When you're just in with your toes looking out the other side, its also way easier to hurt your foot when one comes out and the other one stays in the strap...

I would say make them as wide as you can still comfortably go... i will try to find a photo of how big we are used to have them... ah in the book there's a photo - once you have your copy, go to page 13 and check out the right photo (setup for freestyle/wave) and try to set your straps somehow like this.

Then also do the forward pre-exercise a few times on page 64 (if you haven't done them yet). Don't do this exercise too often - 5 times so you understand the feeling, but then just choose a good day with some little bit of chop and nicely powered (not overpowered), motivate yourself and just try it with board at least 3-5 times. Really set your number and don't go off the water until you really tried it that many times. If you do it right i am sure you'll land on your back that first day...
Every following day you wanna try forwards, try to step up your number of tries and you will loose your fear quickly and can focus on the technique.

For the Technique, read the Speedloop page 136 in the book - do those 3 movements radically once in the air and you'll DO IT!

Any further questions, let me know!
Would be great to see a little report of your success here

Good winds!
Rossi

Thanks for the information. I will post my progrees as I think if I can nail the forward anyone can : )

Quick update on my forward loop progress:
During the weekend we had a pretty big storm so it was maxed out 4.0 sailing. Couldn`t bring myself to attempt one.

Tricktionary arrived a couple of days ago, so today I went out and tried the pre-exercises and jumping landing nose first. I am not quite landing on my back doing the pre exercises, but had the Go Pro on while doing them so have picked up on what I am doing wrong.

I am still having trouble getting over the "fear factor" of trying the forward but after the pre exercises I am feeling more confident.

I am sure that if I was 20 years younger I would be doing forwards by now.

If I pull this off you will get heaps of orders from the NZ contingent I am picking.

Hi Bruce,

alright, thanks for the update!!

Any sailsize, maxed out is not right for your first forward attempts...

Small sail - comfortably powered, but not overpowered (if overpowered you are more scared and won't pull that hard with your arm and/or won't tuck up enough - making your loop go end over end...)

Think about being really aggressive, pulling really hard, tucking up and looking back over your shoulder or your back footstrap...

don't do the pre-exercise without board too many times or you get used to loose the board...

YOU CAN DO IT!!!