Original source: Graham Ezzy
This video from Graham Ezzy covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 5 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
Understanding the mechanics and common pitfalls of extreme sports maneuvers, like the windsurfing push loop, offers insights into how disciplined technique and protective gear are paramount for safety and success.
Windsurfing Coach Warns Against Early Bailing in Push Loops
Windsurfing coach Graham Ezzy has issued a critical warning regarding a dangerous habit observed in push loop attempts: bailing out of footstraps too early. Ezzy emphasizes that this premature release can lead to serious injury, noting that one participant, Chris, experienced hitting his head on the board, underscoring the necessity of wearing a helmet.
To break this habit, Ezzy advises actively staying in the footstraps and pushing the sail forward towards the board's nose. This adjustment aims to alter muscle memory and enable a complete, safer rotation, transforming near-perfect initial execution into successful landings.
"This is a habit to break because if you stay in the footstraps and just push the sail forward, you're going to make it. You're going to land this."
Avoiding 'Scary' Backloop Rotations in Windsurfing
Windsurfing coach Graham Ezzy advises against aggressively pushing the gear into the wind during backloop attempts, identifying this action as the cause of dangerous, out-of-control rotations. He highlights that proper backloop technique involves a gentle, two-part rotation, separating the upward trajectory from the downward phase.
Ezzy emphasizes that successful backloops prioritize under-rotation over over-rotation, advocating for sufficient speed and a focus on coming down over the shoulder rather than forcing the gear. This controlled approach prevents the sail from being pulled back, which can accelerate the rotation to a hazardous degree.
"What happens when you go into that kind of push loop scary out of control rotation is you're pushing the gear into the wind, and you don't push the gear in the back loop to create the rotation."
Windsurfer Praised for Improved Wave Riding Technique
Windsurfing coach Graham Ezzy commended Kevin for significant progress in his wave riding, particularly noting improved confidence and the adoption of effective U-shaped bottom turns. This technique positions the board precisely in the wave's 'corner pocket,' enhancing control and drive.
Ezzy stressed a crucial rule for top turns: either commit 100% to the maneuver or 0% by turning away from the section entirely. This clear-cut decision-making avoids being caught by the wave's most powerful part, ensuring that even if a fall occurs, the rider is projected away from danger, minimizing injury risk.
"Either you commit 100%, every bone of your body is committed, or you commit zero percent and you get away from that section."
Minimizing Backslaps and Headaches in Windsurfing Forward Loops
Windsurfing coach Graham Ezzy addressed a common issue among forward loop learners: persistent headaches from backslaps. To mitigate this, Ezzy suggests two primary strategies:
- Rotate More Horizontally: This reduces the vertical impact upon landing.
- Reduce Attempts: Limiting the number of attempts can decrease the cumulative effect of backslaps, which contribute to headaches.
Ezzy also discussed the nuanced role of protective gear, noting that while impact vests and helmets can offer protection, they sometimes lead to whiplash or increase water resistance, respectively. He encouraged participants to join the "Learn to Loop" WhatsApp group for shared advice.
"You want to minimize the number of backslaps you're getting, or, and to, so there's two ways to do that: one is to rotate more horizontally, and the other is to, because it's that headache is cumulative."
Flat Water Back Loops May Not Prepare Windsurfers for Waves
Windsurfing coach Graham Ezzy cautions that while flat water back loops are impressive, they may not adequately prepare riders for higher back loops in waves. The rapid rotation required for flat water maneuvers can hinder the development of patience crucial for wave conditions.
Ezzy advises windsurfers to prioritize head movement for spotting landings, especially at the jump's apex. Twisting the head fully to locate the landing point, rather than just looking over the shoulder, improves control and reduces the risk of bailing, which is essential for successfully completing back loops in more challenging wave environments.
"What I do want to see is that you're using your head more. So your head right now is looking still up. At this point where you're at the apex of the rotation, you're starting to rotate. The head's got to be torqued around, especially on these little back loops trying to see your landing."
Summarised from Graham Ezzy · 45:01. All credit belongs to the original creators. Windsurfing Class summarises publicly available video content.
