Split Phonics
WITH EMILY JACKSON PHOTOS NICK TROUTMAN
This is a fun trick because it combines a balanced cartwheel move—a splitwheel—with one that can give you some really big air—a phonics monkey. The split phonics surfaced in 2009
when hole combos gained popularity because they scored higher in freestyle competitions than any individual moves. Combos also save time when you’re trying to squeeze in all your moves before your ride times out. At this year’s Worlds, a new combo bonus will make these moves even more attractive to competitors. These steps outline a left-to-right split, into a right phonics.
[1] Facing upstream, initiate a lefty cartwheel with a back sweep of your left paddle blade.
[2] After the first end of your cartwheel gets vertical, reverse your rotation by twisting 90 degrees to look over your right shoulder and pulling the stern through with a forward stroke on the left blade. This completes the split.
[3] As your bow comes down, plant a cross-bow draw with your left hand to begin a pirouette. Don’t wait too long to reach across for the pirouette or it won’t be considered a combo. Make sure you dig beneath the foam pile to grab the green water—this is what will pull you around 360 degrees.
[4] Continue the pirouette until you are facing back upstream. Holding the pirouette all the way around is crucial. If you are falling over on this step, you are probably going too vertical on the pirouette. Your chin and chest should finish facing up and out so that you can jump when you get to the next step.
[5] Once facing upstream, lift your paddle out of the water and jump to throw a loop. Make sure you jump upstream, not straight up, or you will not complete the loop. If your loop never feels straight, you may be jumping too soon.
[6] Finish your loop on top of the foam pile and facing upstream. Do a fist pump and blow kisses to your fans.
Emily Jackson is the 2009 Women’s Freestyle World Champion. She has placed top three in every freestyle event entered since 2005 and is working toward beating more boys.
32 RAPID EARLY SUMMER 2011
The Evolution of Tough
While some new moves take off immediately, becoming the popular big tricks at today’s competitions and play spots, others are pushed to the side and forgotten. Still others exist on the fringes for many years before becoming publicly popular. Creating new moves that will be
pursued by the masses is about more than simply inventing a new trick. The move must be obtainable by more than just its creator and one or two elite boaters. Then it must be marketed as cool so people want to try it. With their increasing complexity,
the popularity of new moves is decided by these factors: Shock Value: Every few years
a move is invented that is so different, so out there, that it instantly captures boaters’ attention. Steve Fisher’s invention of the helix 10 years ago is a good example. At the time, no one else could do it, but it was too amazing to ignore. Publicity: If your new move
isn’t crazily different—and most aren’t—then it needs to be well publicized. Athletes often go to great lengths to have their new moves seen. Promotion through web flicks and kayak films helps a new move go viral. Achievability: It helps if your
new move is achievable by a few top paddlers. For example, a couple athletes have been doing airscrew-to-blunt combos since 2005, yet this move has only recently become popular with advancements in boat design that make it more widely attainable. Even the mind-blowing helix, Fisher says, was “a natural progression of existing moves as we improved our skills and boat designs.” If nothing else, you should try to
hit new moves because they feel good. Keep doing it, and eventually others will follow.—Anthony Yap
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