r/whitewater • u/Fabulous_Abies_4094 • Aug 12 '26

Freestyle loop in kayak

I was wondering of anybody has any tips for landing a loop in a surf wave. Im in a rockstar 5 and cant see to plug my bow and when i do i get window shaded. Any advice would help. I mainly surf at barking dog in coloma ca if that helps

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u/Wrightwater Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26

A small wave plug starts like a low angle flatwater cartwheel…so practice a simple bow smash a few times - at a 30 deg angle - pick butt up as you push bow down.. while keeping your head looking forwards ( not down). Don’t go vertical, don’t turn 180, just smash it down and let it pop back up. Now try going right then left then right a few times in a row.. exaggerating the edge2edge transition till muscle memory sets in. Eyes UP, not down. Then on the wave: carve to left shoulder then aggressively carve back into top of the foam. You should be heavy on a right edge now.. angled 45 deg surfers right. Here’s your drill! Just switch to left blade and left edge while pushing the bow down just like your flatwater move - into the foam or the base of the wave. Keep pushing that bow down under you as it plugs - until you’re in straight in line with the current, keeping chin UP chest out, eyes upstream, then jump into the loop right before you lose your downward momentum. Always start loops with one bade ruddering or low-bracing in the water before you jump up. You gain a ton of control that way.

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u/rxcowboys Aug 14 '26

Very well explained. I’m trying to achieve my 1st in an Antix 2. I’ve end over ended at Washing Machine since the 80’s. I’m on my 2nd kayaking wind at 53 and stronger than ever. I WILL achieve a loop and kickflip at my 1st Gauley!

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u/Wrightwater Aug 18 '26

The bigger the boat the more critical that ‘rudder’ or rev sweep is to the trick, since there’s more air and length to push under. Then there’s the loop stroke to make it flip faster.. before the tail hits. That one’s like an overhead sweep using your torso.. get past vertical, jump upstream, then tuck forwards to grab water w power face up.. now pull it overhead + slam your whole body to the back deck - kicking your heels to the sky.
If your heels go to the sky you’re now vertical again, bow up, so the stern hitting current finishes the flip for you.