To perform a pop shuvit on a skimboard, start by ensuring you have a suitable board and build up speed on a flat, smooth surface. Position your back foot near the tail and your front foot around the middle of the board.
Initiate the trick by using your back foot to scoop the tail sideways and slightly back, causing the board to spin 180 degrees. As you scoop, jump slightly to lift the board off the water.
Keep your eyes on the board and time your landing as the board completes its rotation, landing with your feet in their original positions. Maintain balance and continue skimming forward. Regular practice is essential for mastering this trick.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to execute a pop shuvit while skimboarding:
1, Get the Right Skimboard
Ensure your skimboard is suitable for tricks like the pop shuvit. It should ideally be a bit stiffer and have a good grip on the surface. A flatland skimboard or a wave skimboard with a flat bottom are good options.
2, Find a Flat Surface
Execute the trick on a flat, smooth section of wet sand or very shallow water. It’s important to have a stable, predictable surface to perform the trick.
3, Build Up Speed
Start by running and dropping your skimboard onto the thin layer of water on the beach. Jump onto it smoothly to maintain as much speed as possible.
4, Foot Position
Place your back foot near the tail of the board, slightly angled, and your front foot around the middle of the board. This stance will help you control the board’s rotation.
5, Initiate the Shuvit
Use your back foot to scoop the tail of the board around. The motion combines kicking sideways and slightly back. This action spins the board in a 180-degree rotation (or more, depending on your trick).
6, Jump and Rotate
As you scoop with your back foot, jump slightly with your front foot. This helps lift the board slightly off the ground (or water), making it easier to spin.
7, Spot the Board
Keep your eyes on the board as it rotates to gauge when you should land back on it. By ‘timing your landing ‘, we mean you should aim to land just as the board completes its spin. This is crucial for a smooth and controlled landing.
8, Land on the Board
Land with your feet where they started, which should now align with the board as it finishes its rotation. Keep your knees slightly bent to absorb the landing.
9, Maintain Balance and Continue Skimming
Once landed, focus on maintaining balance and continue to skim forward. Adjust your weight as needed to stabilize after the trick.
10, Practice Regularly
Remember, mastering the pop shuvit on a skimboard is a journey. Start slow, enjoy the process, and gradually increase the complexity as you gain more confidence. With each practice, you’re one step closer to becoming a pro.
Always prioritise safety. Wear appropriate gear and choose a safe environment, like shallow water without rocks or other hazards, for your practice. With persistence and practice, you can add the Pop Shuv It to your Skimboarding repertoire.