The 360 (or complete spin) on a wakesurfing board is a moderately easy trick to learn. It’s an ideal next step once you have mastered getting up without a rope and the 180 (half rotation). But before we jump into the trick, let’s start with the basics.
Types of 360s
There are two types of 360s, the frontside and the backside.
In a frontside 360, the rider rotates the front of the board into the wake and the back of the board away from it. Think of it in terms of where the front of the board is rotating – to the rider’s front side (hence the name). For regular riders, this will be a rotation to the right for the front of the board. For goofy, the front of the board will go left.
Unsurprisingly, the backside 360 is the opposite. Again, think of the backside in terms of where the front of the board is rotating – to the rider’s backside. For regular riders, the front of the board will rotate to the left. For goofy riders, to the right.
We’ve included an image of the two spins for each type of rider below to help you visualize. If you’re just starting, we recommend mastering the frontside first. It will feel more natural.
Board
More experienced riders can complete a 360 on most any wakesurf board, but beginners should try for a rounder board with shorter fins. The edges on a board with straight sides make it easier to catch an edge and choosing a round board mitigates this. Longer fins help new riders keep the board facing forward but can make spinning more difficult.
Wake and Boat Speed
The best wake for a 360 depends on your boat. Some boats make a great wave at 10 miles per hour and some make the best wake closer to 12 miles per hour. Play around with your boat’s speed to find what works best. Once you have the wake down and you can surf without the rope, you can start attempting a 360.
Safety
DROP THE ROPE!
First and foremost, don’t be attempting any 360s with the rope in hand. We’ve heard horror stories of the rope being wrapped around a wrist or neck resulting in a trip to the hospital. If you aren’t able to drop the rope and surf in the wake, work on mastering that first. Then, once you have that down, start trying a 360.
Also, whenever you are trying a new trick, accidents can happen. Make sure you are wearing a US Coast Guard approved life jacket. Go through the signals that you and the passengers will use when you’re behind the boat.
As a general rule, don’t surf past dark. Each state has different rules on when you need to get off the water. Check out that breakdown here.
Speed
To complete a full turn, you’ll need speed and momentum to get all the way around. To get speed and momentum, put more pressure on the front of the board to move closer to the boat.
Stance and Positioning
When preparing to take on a 360, your stance and positioning on the board and integral to your success.
Luckily, there is no need to drastically change your stance to complete this trick. The outside of your back foot should be on the back of the board with your front foot being about three-fourths the way down the board.
Common Mistakes
Struggling to get all the way around when attempting a 360 wakesurfing? Clipping your board’s front lip on the spin? Not rotating all the way around? These are all common mistakes when learning to complete a 360 on a wakesurfing board, but all mistakes can be avoided.
Commit to the spin! Once you begin the 360, continue with your speed and momentum through, even if you fall. Slowing your rotation down can easily lead to the momentum of the wave taking you too far down the wake.
Be conscious of how your weight is distributed. You’ll want your weight to be on the toe side of the board. The more weight you put on your heel side, the more difficulty you’ll have initiating the spin.
Over-rotating is a common issue that riders encounter. Once you’ve completed three-fourths the spin, begin to put more and more pressure on the heel side of your board. This will slow your rotation down and you come full circle.
Conclusion
Finishing a 360 wakesurfing is something that anyone can do with enough practice. How much practice depends on how much time you take to master the common mistakes and skills that we’ve outlined. With enough repetitions, you’ll be spinning circles around your friends.
You might now be asking yourself what trick you should try to learn next. If you have already mastered the 180 and are feeling confident with your 360, try out a pop shove it!
