Whirlybird

johnaulick · Posted: May 12, 2005 5:49 pm Post subject: Whirlybird

Anybody got any tips/instructions on whirlybirds? Everytime i try i can never get the overhead spin, It just looks like a weird tantrum. Any tips on how to initiate the spin? Thanks

HoustonJ · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 264 City: Houston

Hey I just started trying them as well and they are wierd but try to practice them on the trampoline. What I do is cut a little harder than my normal tantrum and wait a little later to throw the tantrum then initiate the flip first then throw my leading bicep to my mouth and look over my back shoulder. I spin fine, but I can never spot my landing and end up popping the handle. If only I wasn't such a v a g i n a

Liquidmx · Addict Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 755 City: San Jose

Trampoline work would be key here I imagine, I have gotten pretty close but never landed the few I tried. I know when I popped them it was not a straight tantrum trip effect, I kind of started the spin with the trip to help get the rotation; first couple were tantrums to blind. Then the next few was like a "throw it as hard as you can with my bicept almost touching my chin" the spin started coming, 220, 270 etc. Now its spotting it and riding away, last year I tried one and ended up riding away without the handle so I will probably give it a go again this season. I know there are several on the board doing them, hopefully they can be more helpful.

Good Luck

johnaulick · Posted: May 13, 2005 5:30 am Post subject:

i have tried them on the trampoline but every time i land on the edge and the only thing that saves me from bustin ass on the ground is the handle. i have been trying them on a wakeskate too. hopefully it'll get better. thanks for the help.

Phil · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 636 City: Chattanooga

Take the same cut you would for a tantrum but surf the wake really hard so you pop straight up and land on the other wake. And when you throw it, throw your head straight back because you start the rotation with the handle.So you can start to throw the spin on the wake just make sure you dont turn your head and you just throw the handle across your face. So when you get to about half way up the wake starting throwing the handle across your face to the otherside of your head but wait to the throw the tantrum till you get to the top of the wake. And when you spot your landing start looking for the boat....Good luck.

toothpick · Posted: May 14, 2005 2:07 pm Post subject:

The flip part of the whirlybird is different than it is on a straight tantrum. You go more horizontal than vertical. When you throw your head back, throw it back and toward the boat. You want your body to line up with the rope mid-move. If you try to do a fully inverted tantrum with the whirlybird, you won't make the spin. You can even put a little more weight on your back foot as you go up wake to help get your body in the right position in the air for the spin.