TS Front Roll or Back Roll

IrishJigga · Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2003 Posts: 30

Hey I wakeboarded for my first time ever last August and I am pretty athletic so I caught up with the other riders I was with pretty quickly. I have been wakeboarding for a total of 5 months (2 last year and 3 this year). I tried a back roll last year and blew out my ear drum. I have landed 3 different wrapped 360's this year. Anyway I have always felt awkward flipping backwards off of a boat, trampoline, whatever it may be. But I can do front flips on a trampoline no problem and off of a diving board. It's real comfortable to flip forward. I was thinking since it's really awkward to flip backwards it would be easier for me to do a front roll. I mean TS front roll too. What do you think? I'm also 6'4" 260 pounds of muslce, so maybe the extra weight has a factor? Anyway should i go for the ts front roll and if so how do i do it?

Marka73 · Newbie Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 33 City: Plano, Tx

A trick like a tantrum is a really easy trick to get the feeling for backwards rotating inverts. i figure that you will be trying most of the tricks out there at some point so go ahead and go for the front roll.

Nathan Newman · Addict Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 711 City: Baylor

well, I would normally council the backroll, but today my friend nailed his first invert ever... a ts frontroll.

If you feel more comfortable with a ts frontroll, give it a shot. Just really try and overrotate it, because you gotta land edging away on your toes...

Don't be discouraged by a bad fall though. stuff happens. Learn the backroll soon, I promise it's way easier than a 360...

Partyb · Posted: Jul 17, 2003 8:01 am Post subject:

the backrolls are generally thought of as easier because if you have the proper edge, the rest of the trick is easy. What i used to do was practice back flips off a diving board into a pool and EVERYTIME i got in the water off the boat i did an backflip. Dorky, but you get practice. That said, I would say try the first invert that you feel most comfortable with and can visualize the best. if that is a ts front, then so be it, a little unconventional, but so what.

tWaker2 · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jul 2003 Posts: 375 City: Gilroy, CA

nathan newman said it perfect. a backroll is definately the easiest flip, and it is way easier than any 360! i actually learned a ts frontroll before my backroll, but i cannot get it as consistent as i would like it. if you wanna do it, just like that guy said, over-rotate or else you will land on your heels and fall over. another key thing for anyone is waiting to start the flip until you feel the pop from the wake. that is very important.