Frontflip to Front Roll Combo
So you have mastered your front flips and want to do something a little harder like a combo trick, a combo trick is where you link two tricks together and they become one. The best thing about a combo is that it will get everyone on the banks to there feet, one because they won't be expecting it and two because they want to see it again.
For this trick you will need to be very confident and consistent with landing your front flips well out in to the flats where the water is unbroken. If you're not landing out in the flats you're wasting your time attempting this trick, save yourself the hard crashes for no reason and go back to practicing your frontflips for a little longer.
Once you're landing out in the flats consistently, you're ready. Start by practicing your front flips then its time to go for it. Cut out really wide, you're going to want all the speed you can get at the wake, then cut in hard in hard at the wake and do your frontflip like normal with only one difference. You want to land a little on the front heavy side, this will make your air front roll a lot easier.
As the board comes in contact with the water you want to pull the handle in hard to your inside hip push as much weight down as possible on your outside knee. At the same time you want to lean forward a little and look back over your inside shoulder, trying to create a flicking motion. All this should be done quicker then your regular front roll. Timing is everything on this trick and you will be back on your board before you realize it.
Tips
If you're having trouble landing nose heavy off your front flip, try do a regular wake jump out in to the flats and try your air roll, same idea but easier to learn because you're not coming out of a front flip. Once you have master this bring the front flip back in to the picture and you will be a master in no time.
If you're not getting enough air to get around on the air front roll you need to land a little more on the nose of the board.
If you're getting enough air but keep landing on your side or back, you need to remember to pull hard on the rope and flick it fast.
The bigger and more controlled the front flip, the easier it will be to spot your landing and place the board where you want it to be.
Hope you enjoy this trick as much as I do and hope to see you out there on the rivers and lakes showing this new trick you have learned. If you have any questions on this trick or any other or maybe you want to see us do an instructional on a specific trick... drop us an email to kneeboardvic@hotmail.com and I'll do my best to help you out.
Happy boarding.
-Marc Gray (O'Brien Team Rider)
