Kicker 360

The 360 is your first full-rotation air and a true milestone trick. It's two 180s back-to-back, but it asks for a commitment that a 180 doesn't. Once you pass 180, you can't back out. Start on the S-kicker with a heelside frontside 360 (the "FS3"), which is the easiest variation because the rotation wraps around your natural heelside edge.

The key difference from a 180 is the handle pass. You pass the handle behind your back as you come around, then pick the rotation back up to complete the second 180. Many riders learn the handle-pass motion on flat water first, spinning two surface 180s in a row.

Expect your first ten attempts to feel terrible. The common failure modes are all fixable: under-rotating happens when you don't pop enough, over-rotating happens when you spin with your shoulders before you leave the ramp, and handle-passing failures come from letting the handle drift high. Film yourself after each attempt. The fix is almost always visible.

Watch more here:

Video by JB ONeill

Key tips

• Dial in your kicker FS180 from both stances before trying the 360
• Wind up slightly on the approach. Load the rotation before you leave the ramp
• Handle pass happens behind the small of your back, low and tight
• Spot the landing around the 270-degree mark
• Land with deep knee bend. A 360 lands with a lot of momentum
• If you're under-rotating, you need more pop, not more spin
• Don't grab on the first few. Keep both hands near the handle until the rotation feels automatic