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Kickflip

The Kickflip is basically an airborn eskimo roll. The lead into the Kickflip is just like that of the wave wheel, you'll need a fair bit of speed, and the wave needs to have a vertical lip to get enough "air" so your body clears the water.

On the take-off, attention must be paid to getting the boat speed up and launching it off the end of the wave. As you fly off the lip, pull the forward stroke in towards the center line of the kayak, at the same time throw your body over as if you were going for a roll. You should now be flying through the air upside down..

The stroke ends, and your paddle will automatically be in the eskimo role position. Now, before you go and land on your head, actively sweep the paddle just like a normal roll and roll the boat up in mid-air so that the entire move is one motion. As always look where you want to go and your body will rotae and follow,this is the key to landing the move. Spot your landing spot by rotating your head over your shoulder and looking actively for the trough behind the wave. If your timing is right and your wave selection is good you'll land upright with the admiration of your fellow paddlers. If you get it wrong you'll end up side down in the water and probably a little embarassed.

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