some help needed from New Zealand

[crazynewzealand]

:Wall
hey guys
at the moment i am learning how to air loop and was wanting some
more info or tips on how to do it????
if any one can help me would be awsome :cool:
happy padling
Nick

[MarkInCJ]

Don't know where in NZ you are, but if you want to learn how to loop go to the 'Tuna. It doesn't get much easier than paddling straight out of the river left eddy, burying your bow, and launching.
A couple things to keep in mind: 1) make sure you are initiating perpendicular to the current, and keeping your boat straight until the water rejects you. If you don't stay straight on you will pop out sideways, and it will be hard to loop.
2) Once you are initiated stand up on your foot blocks and try to straighten you body out with your paddle of your head. You should do this as your boat is starting to be pushed back out of the water.
3) When your boat reaches it's maximum height let your weight off your feet and aggresively throw your hands and body under the boat somersault style. Focus on throwing your paddle shaft straight at your bow. The more aggresively you do the last part the faster you will come around.

Most problems with loops stem from a poor initiation (not straight or not deep enough) or a poorly timed huck, resulting in a face plant. If you can try to watch some of the movies on this site, and notice how the paddler "jumps" off thier feet when they throw the flip. This is the secret to getting air on your loops. Have fun, and good luck.
-Mark

[sikdrop]

you might be tucking too late... sometimes it can be easier to throw the tuck as you are still popping into the air, before you reach the apex. You also may not be vertical enough when you tuck.. If you aren't getting enough air try initiating your bow further into the green. The Kaituna Hole is great for looping if you are in that neck of the woods and there's always flatwater to practice on.. good luck!

Joe

[crazynewzealand]

:) hey guys your infomation was very helpful and iv bin landing heaps of them now the kaituna is one of my local runs alot of fun
thanks for all the help
nick :cool: