Backside Powerslides

What it is

Backside Powerslides can be a tricky one to master. This skill is going to help you to learn how to use the handle and your hips correctly to hold yourself in position on the water and as we progress, the rails too!

How to do it

1. Have a very gentle heelside edge to start
2. Push the handle to the side and use your back hip to turn the board on the surface
3. Look in the direction you are moving (never look back)
4. Once powersliding, keep your weight on top of the board, with your heels up
5. Keep the handle and hips in that position to hold for as long as possible!
6. Practice "falling leaf" to really improve board control!

Common problems

• I can't stop going into a toeside edge. Make sure to keep both knees bent and keep the weight on top of the board. This will take some practice to correct though, so keep going!
• It feels like I'm going to fall forward. This powerslide is going to teach you very quickly that you want to avoid pulling the handle in. Try to push the handle from side to side to create the rotation and avoid getting slack!
• I take a backedge. Try to focus on sliding that back foot round and applying just a little bit of pressure on your toes to keep your heels up!

What your coach looks for

Perform a controlled backside powerslide by rotating the board across the water in the opposite direction, maintaining stability and control throughout the slide.

Before this one

• Frontside Powerslides
• Heelside & Toeside Edging