The air screw is a trick that has been evolving since it originated many years back as the donkey flip. This move started as a 180 degree flip onto the paddler’s face and ended with rolling up in the foam pile. Over the years, this has been perfected into one of the most impressive moves, and my personal favorite—a full aerial, 360-degree barrel roll in the sky.
The back air screw is the switch version of the classic air screw—it’s a barrel roll that starts backwards and finishes backwards. As with any move in its infancy, it’ll continue to evolve like its polished counterpart, the forward air screw.
Step 1:
Steep green waves are the best bet for this move and the larger the green face on the wave, the better. Start off by carving to the top of the wave and spin around backwards as you reach the apex. As you come down the face of the wave backwards, throw your weight forward and load your heels, initiating a bounce and lifting the stern.
Step 2:
As the kayak starts to bounce and lift into the air, push your weight back and twist your shoulders up and outwards, looking to the sky. Your paddle should lead your rotation and be horizontal and in the air. This will start your rotation and will feel very similar to a back pan-am.
Step 3:
Once your boat has bounced totally aerial, throw your weight towards the front of the kayak, keeping your paddle parallel to the side and continue to look up to the sky.
Step 4:
Now, fold your body as far forward as possible onto the deck of your boat. This will keep your boat straight instead of twisting forward into a back pan-am.
Step 5:
As you reconnect back with the water, continue to stay forward in your kayak while you start a slight brace stroke to stay upright.
Step 6:
Stay forward and twist your bracing stroke into a reverse stroke, which will keep your boat pointing backwards and act as a recovery stroke to keep you on the wave. Once you have established yourself, go for a back surf and finish off with a sweet fist pump.
This article originally appeared in Rapid, Summer/Fall 2013. Download our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read the rest here.
