How to Perform a 360 on a Surfboard

A 360 in surfing is a maneuver performed when a rider slides the board one complete rotation on the face of a wave. Performing a 360-degree turn is no easy feat, but if you learn how to do one, you'll impress the judges and the fans on the beach. A move like this looks easy, but it takes tons of practice to perfect.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surfboard

1. Swim out to a gentle wave and stand up on your board. Wait until you've taken a few practice runs before you attempt this maneuver on a challenging, fast wave. If you're new to surfing, be sure to rent a soft and loose board to perform this maneuver.

2. Stand up on the board toward the nose. The nose is the rounded or pointed part of the board located at the very front. Bend your knees to lower your center of gravity and improve your balance.

3. Position your board in the middle of the wave, making sure to create a parallel line from the board to the wave. If surfing is brand new to you, you may spend the day just practicing this first step. It's harder than you might think to balance comfortably on the nose of a surfboard.

4. Release the fin by sliding the nose slightly toward the wave and leaning forward. Most surfboards have between three and five fins located underneath at the nose and tail. The fin helps to make the board stick to the face of the wave for added control. Once the fin is released, you can slide your board across the face of the wave.

5. Straighten out your body and bring the tail below the face of the wave, and twist your body toward the direction of the turn while the fin catches on the face of the wave.

6. Complete the rotation when the wave rises to knee level. Make sure the rail, the outer edge of your surfboard, does not dig into the wave. Surf instructors often recommend using a board with soft or rounded rails for performing 360 turns, especially if you're a beginner.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use a leash when surfing to make sure you never lose your board when you perform new tricks.
• Perform a few practice 360 turns on a skateboard to get the feel for this maneuver. Always use proper safety equipment, including knee and elbow pads and a helmet.
• If you fall off your board, make sure to put your hands above your head to protect yourself from injury.

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on 2/6/2009 "shape design and use your very own surfboard in just two weeks with samuraiboards.com