Mastering the cut-back forward 360 spin with Jay Reale
A step-by-step guide:
Bodyboard Holidays guest expert Jay Reale breaks down his take on the classic bodyboard manoeuvre, the cutback forward 360 spin. This classic move is a stylish and fun skill to pull out the bag, all you need to do is catch the right kind of wave, and the spot on a the shoulder of the wave to perform it. Jay’s tips and step-by-step instructions will show you how.
What is the cutback forward 360 spin?
The cutback forward 360 is a super fun and functional move. This move became popular with bodyboarders in the mid-nineties, was pioneered by Mike Stewart and was displayed in its most perfect form by Brian Wise.
The move combines two of bodyboardings benchmark moves, coming together to provide a functional method of returning to the power pocket of the wave.
Four easy steps to master the cutback forward 360 spin.
A cut back into a forward 360 works really well on a wave with a nice, clean shoulder. Here are the 4 steps to success:
Ride out onto the shoulder and look for a nice position to lean into a cutback, ensure you are in the top third of the wave before initiating your cutback.
Look, lean and lunge through the cutback and ensure that you carve your way back to the pocket of the wave.
After completing the cutback, flatten your board, unweight your inside rail and throw yourself into the 360.
- Ride out of the move and continue down the line.
Choosing the right wave
This manoeuvre is a classic move if you can pull it off correctly. The cut back into the forward spin needs some space, so you need to choose a wave that has a long drawn out shoulder to perform it on.
Pick up speed
With this manoeuvre, speed is key – you need to drive with speed way out into the shoulder of the wave. This will give you the space and time to perform a nice long, speedy wrapping cut back.
Body position
This manoeuvre requires you to position yourself high up on your board, this will help you to maintain the speed, and as you redirect your board back towards the energy of the wave, you will still have enough room to adjust your weight on the board and shift it into a forward spin.
This manoeuvre requires a lot of speed both to maintain your body position high on the board and to drive way out on the shoulder of the wave – which is why you can only perform it on that very specific type of wave, but when done right, it’s a classic, effortless looking and very stylish bodyboard manoeuvre.
El Salvador and Costa Rica Bodyboard Holidays
This video was shot during our El Salvador bodyboarding and Costa Rica bodyboarding trips. The waves in these locations offer ideal conditions to practise and perfect all levels of bodyboarding moves. Our team offers personalised coaching using techniques developed over years of experience alongside guest coaches made up from world champions. There’s no other experience like it for bodyboarders of all levels.
Can’t decide which trip to go on? Why not join us for both! Our Combined Costa Rica & El Salvador bodyboard trip will enable you to learn this move and many more from our expert team of coaches.
