Ride with Blake | How To Do a Back Roll Hand Drag Transition

The Back roll hand drag is possibly the most stylish way to transition

The last week in Key west has been epic. Exploring the islands with my kite, paddle boarding the mangroves and snorkeling the reef. The abundance of wildlife in the ocean never ceases to amaze me! For this week's blog I thought I would share five steps to nailing your first back roll hand drag transition. This is one of the most stylish ways you can transition with your kite. Like most kiteboarding tricks, there is plenty of room fro creativity. From landing toe side to giving your friend a high five mid-roll it never gets old. 

Step one

Before you dive right into this trick spend some time getting used to doing a downloop transition. 

While riding, keep the kite high and dive it hard in the direction you are traveling. As it passes through the wind window ride at the kite and let it pull you downwind. As the kite reaches the other side you should be riding toe side in the opposite direction. Get used to doing this in both directions. You can also mix it up by starting on your toe side and letting it pull you onto the heel side of your kiteboard. The point is you want to be incredibly comfortable doing this with one hand on the bar. 

Pull hard on the bar in your direction of travel and commit to riding downwind

Step two 

Start jumping before you down loop the kite. Just like before, you want to get used to doing small airs while down looping the kite. Both of these steps are intended to build not only your skills but your confidence. Spend time boosting little airs with one hand on the bar. At first you can down loop the kite after you land. Eventually, you will want to down loop the kite at the apex of your jump. Just make sure you don't jump to high. Doing a down loop from a great height is awesome but you will need to catch yourself with the kite. I recommend only jumping a few feet up as this will simulate the height needed for the hand drag. 

Step three 

Start doing a flat 360 when you jump. As you build confidence down loop the kite near the end of your rotation to pull you out. Just make sure you keep your knees bent and land downwind while doing this. As you get more comfortable start sitting back more in the harness. You don't want to fully invert just yet but progressively lean back more every attempt.  

Acclimate yourself to the trick by breaking it into small manageable steps.

Step four

Now you're going to want to start inverting. To do this simply bring your front knee into your chest as you lean back. You will also want to dip your back shoulder and look in that direction. Remember, the body is going to follow the head. This is where the fun begins as you get used to this step start reaching down and letting your hand drag across the water. 

Step five 

Stay compact, this is the pinnacle step for any sport involving rotations.The more compact you keep your body, the more you can rotate. It will also give you ample time and more room for error when landing. If you're spread out, there is a good chance you will land wrong or catch an edge. Not to mention is is difficult to control your body if you're not compact. So remember to keep your knees tucked into your chest right up until landing. Then just spot your landing, stomp the water and ride away.   

Keep those knees squared up with your shoulders. It will help with every aspect of the trick. 

Blake Olsen

A Michigan boy through and through (even though he was born in Saudi Arabia), Blake is a youth with a lifetime of experiences and adventures. Not only that, he's passionate about sharing his zest for life with others. He is proficient at many fields, including kiteboarding and acting as concierge to any who simply ask. Looking for an adventure? Well, Blake is your guy. From sailing the Gulf and the Caribbean to backpacking Hawaii and Southeast Asia, he knows his stuff and can make your vacation into an adventure.

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