There are many styles of backroll. This tutorial explains the simplest and safest version
to help you get started. Firstly, we look at kite control for a basic backroll.
All we need from the kite is a small, controlled jump.
Raise the kite slowly, as you don’t need much lift.
When the kite nears 12, edge upwind to rotate
and pull in the bar for some lift. As you rotate, focus on keeping the bar straight.
We want to keep the kite near 12. Only as you land, do you need to steer the
kite forward to keep moving. Now, let's look more closely at the basic backroll.
Ride at a medium-to-slow speed. You don't need much speed to complete a single rotation.
Raise the kite.
Just before the kite hits 12 o’clock, we initiate the rotation.
You gain the rotation by carving the board drastically upwind. Aim to turn about 90 degrees
before even leaving the water. As you carve upwind, pull in the bar to launch,
keeping the bar straight to avoid steering. Only once you can see that you’re coming
in to land nicely, start steering the kite forwards.
To minimise risks, keep your speed low, and avoiding accidental steering during the rotation.
As you rotate it’s easy to feel disorientated, so focus on keeping the bar straight.
Let’s review that technique, looking at a backroll in goofy stance.
You will probably crash a lot of backrolls as you learn. For example, you might under rotate.
If it’s going badly avoid steering the kite,
this will keep the kite near 12 where it supports you.
The same applies if you over rotate – try to minimize your kite steering.
Keep the kite near 12 where it will support you. As you crash, you can give a gentle dive
forward to prevent the kite from stalling. But, if in doubt, don’t steer at all.
This was the simplest version of a backroll. Once you’re confident
there are other types to try. You could backroll using pop instead of lift from the kite.
You could also try higher backrolls using lots of lift from the kite.
Good luck learning backrolls.
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