Report: The first front loop

Many a surfer gets "old" over the longing to get to grips with the loop. Bernd Neuschütz was almost one of them. But at the age of 47, he still managed to crack the "bitch".

"Even though young people today are more likely to aspire to air bobsleigh, skopu and the like, the front loop is still the eternal topic for us "old hands". Who doesn't dream of spinning high up in the air? It was the same for me and after a lot of hard work on my first trip to Maui many years ago, the time had finally come: I certainly wasn't on the third floor and the landing was anything but perfect, but I immediately felt an indescribable feeling of happiness!

But back in Europe, I realised that I wasn't going to get any more rotations for the time being, as almost all the top wave spots here have wind from the left and switching to the other side is anything but child's play. There were no respectful looks from my surfing mates at first - was it all for nothing? I just couldn't get over it over the years. Of course, I had plenty of attempts, but it never developed into a good feeling, rather the opposite was the case. At some point, I gave it up completely for health reasons and from then on I mostly concentrated on nice wave rides.

Video analysis brings the breakthrough

But something was missing: a wave day without any rotation is ultimately like dumplings without broth. So I resorted to new methods: When analysing videos, I noticed at some point that Philip Köster, Marcilio Browne and other worldcuppers stand completely upright when jumping into the double loop, move the sail completely vertically and thus get a mega rotation speed. I thought to myself that I had to at least get round somehow without being knocked out of the loops halfway through.

With this new realisation, I ventured out again. The right spot was very important to me. A small wave in the surf and moderate wind exactly sideshore - those were my desired criteria. Instead of the waveboard, I took my wide freestyler and a 4.8 mm sail. This set-up runs very smoothly, you're not so powered up and can get over yourself more easily, according to the plan.

Then came day X. Everyone was already taking off, there was simply not enough wind for a good wave session. I pulled my freestyle board out of the bus, plucked up all my courage and set my sights on the first small wave as I headed out. The 40 centimetres or so built up in front of me and I didn't think about anything else, got as tight as an ox and jumped off. Okay, in the end it was perhaps a bit too much of a good thing. I came round at full speed, the clew dug into the water and I was pulled onto the sail. At least I was still in the loops and had the fork in my hand.

Suddenly it clicks

It went on like this for about a year. The conditions were often not mine, or my eggs were once again nowhere to be found. It wasn't until my summer trip to Klitmøller that everything finally came together again. After the first ten attempts, during which I was repeatedly pulled onto the sail, it clicked: I no longer jumped off quite so frantically, guided the sail forwards more sensitively and lo and behold, I hit it in a relatively controlled manner and could just keep going. I was completely ecstatic. The scream of joy could certainly still be heard in Hanstholm!

The cry of joy could certainly still be heard in Hanstholm!

I just couldn't believe it: after around 35 years on the board, I managed to conquer this "bitch" after all. The only big question now is whether you can still be proud after struggling with this manoeuvre for so long... "

Note from the surf editorial team: You should be so proud - respect, Bernd1

For all those who are also dreaming of their first loop, from surf 10-2022 the large three-part front loop series!

This article first appeared in surf 8/2018