SWITCH BACKSIDE 180 WITH WILL JACKWAYS

FRONTSIDE HALF CAB OR SWITCH BACKSIDE 180, call it what you will, this trick is one of the dopest. The best and most difficult thing about the SB1 is the blind factor because for a second when you first take off you can’t see your landing. It takes a little to get past this, but once you do you’re on your way to learning one of the most fun tricks there is. Before doing them off a cliff like our man Will Jackways here, practice them off cat tracks – you’ll have a nice groomed take off and on the right day, a fresh landing.

First things first, learn to ride switch, got that down? Sweet, you’re ready to go. Approach whatever it is you’re going to drop off with a medium amount of speed, remember the faster you go the bigger you’ll go. You need a bit more time in the air compared to a regular back one because it’s a bit harder to whip around, plus the more time you have in the air the more you can steeze it out like who…? That’s right, our man Will J. If you’re taking it to a cliff make sure you have enough speed to clear the rocks and alligators below.

Okay, so speed sorted, now you’re approaching the lip. Start off low and centered on your board and as you get closer to the lip start putting some pressure on your toes, and transfer a bit more weight to your trailing leg. At this point you’re looking toward the jump. When you get to the lip turn your head slightly toward what is currently the back of your board, pop off the lip a bit with your back foot, and as soon as you feel that weightless sensation grab with your regular Indy hand and look under your trailing shoulder for the landing.

Again the bigger you go the more time you have to bone the hell out of it, and to spot your landing. Don’t go too big and land in the flats though, the only person that’s gonna impress is the guy with the purple and yellow jester hat yelling, “Yeah dude, massive air man!” When you complete the last of your slowly rotated 180 make sure to keep scoping the landing till you touch down. Kablam! There you have the almighty frontside half Cab.

Ohau backcountry.

SEQUENCE: PHIL ERICKSON