Tail press

Description

Tail press is a surface trick: no ramp, done skimming the water. It is the best way to learn the handle pass and to control the board through a rotation before taking any of it into the air. Lift the nose and ride on the tail alone.

How it's done

1. 01

   Slow down a touch by cutting towards the middle of the lane, board flat.

2. 02

   Start the rotation with your shoulders, not your arms: the board follows.

3. 03

   Pass the handle behind your back from one hand to the other, keeping it low at hip height.

4. 04

   Finish the rotation with your eyes already looking for the carrier.

5. 05

   Land flat, soft knees, and pick the edge back up.

Common mistakes

• Handle high: you lose tension and the cable yanks you.
• Rotating with the arms instead of the shoulders.
• Board on edge during the spin: it digs in.