PSA: TGR Playboating noobs

STP has Ken Whitings Playboaters Handbook 2 on sale for $12...Pretty good deal. Not as much so when you factor in shipping. But, if you buy it with something else it's worth it. (they are having a BIG sale right now) I've heard good things about the book and Ken Whitings methods. I bought it along with Whitings whitewater skills DVD which was also on sale.(unfortunately out of stock now)

Anyway,
I got my first full spin on Saturday! It wasn't really a spin but a 180 + another 180 after some backsurfing. The thing is, when I get into a backsurf (that's when I can actually sustain a backsurf without getting pushed out) when I try to spin back around I get violently windowshaded...almost EVERY time!:cussing:

the key to not catching your stern is to keep your hull flat. when you are spinning in a hole try to envision spinning over a point under your ass. if you have too much edging going on then you are generating momentum down the pile which is what causes your stern to catch. When you are learning you will tend to lean downstream defensively but try playing with how flat you can make your hull.

Another key tip...keep your eyes on the hole. So if you are spinning off your right blade keep looking over your left shoulder (or visa-versa) until you can see your stern then switch your view all at once back to the hole as you spin. This helps keep your upper body quiet and keeps your shoulders from turning out downstream.

It takes a lot of getting windowshaded to feel this but once you feel it it will click. Once you have spins dialed cartwheels are exactly the same just dragging your ends through the spin. I'll try to get a second tomorrow and video some spins in Salida and post it up.

...maybe you weren't fishing for tips... I just realized in my zeal to respond you were posting about Ken's video...he knows how to spin too...anyway there is my two cents...

look at the hole, simple as that...the edge control will come. When you're going for the backsurf, go ahead and look all the way around (and just trust it) and the boat will follow.

Now, I'll fish for advice:

If I can figure out how to stop...well I'll call it bluntwheeling when I try to blunt I'll be ok. I seem to think Im going to get a huge blunt and it turns into throwing a stern end too before the boat flattens out. I stick it but its not what Im trying to do. This tends to happen on bigger features (hell hole, etc) :biggrin:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harv

...maybe you weren't fishing for tips... I just realized in my zeal to respond you were posting about Ken's video...he knows how to spin too...anyway there is my two cents...

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Thanks guys. I wasn't fishing. But, I'll take 'em anytime.:yourock: