The great thing about stand up paddling is that there are really no limitations and it’s a great way to express yourself on the water especially on those no wind days. Whether it’s cruising down the line on an 11’6 Cruiser or tucking into a barrel on a 9’6 Performer, SUP is all about getting out there and having a lot of fun.

For this months instructional lets try something a little more high-performance and combine a few of our previous instructional articles as we perfect the revert tail slide. The revert tail slide is a combination of a cut back, helicopter and a fin first take of. And although it may look difficult at first, with a little bit of practice, it is relatively easy.

Board size is going to be key to mastering this manoeuvre, as the shorter your board is the easier it will be to turn, but at the same time by applying these same techniques it can be performed on a larger board. The correct fin size and fin positioning will be key in perfecting the revert tail slide. We suggest removing your side fins and inserting a smaller centre fin of an average size of 5” to 6” as this will loosen the tail area.

Ok so you are up and riding on a wave that has a wall with a fade out section, get as much speed as you can along the wave and then crank your board hard, as if going for a regular cut back. Make sure that your paddle is on your turning side as you will need to apply body weight pressure onto the paddle to help sustain balance and correct body posture. At this stage you should be travelling towards the oncoming white water and it is super critical to apply constant pressure on your back rail, as this will keep your rail in the water and help maintain your speed. Correct body positioning will be key. To maintain a low centre of gravity keep your knees bent.

Use your paddle as it will be a key ingredient in mastering this trick. Remember that where your head goes your body will follow. At this stage shift your weight from your back foot onto your front foot which will release the pressure on your rail and cause your fin to break loose on the wave. This might feel a little strange at first but as you keep your knees bent, go with the gliding feel as far as the wave allows you. As the white water of the wave catches up with you be prepared to evenly distribute your weight between your feet to maintain balance. At this stage your fin will grab and cause your board to redirect itself to face in the regular direction. Be prepared as this all happens really quickly so once again use your paddle for added balance and stability

As you regain control, shift your weight over your fin and do it all over again. Remember practice makes perfect. This is a super fun and relative easy trick so mix it up and enjoy the ride.