A KGB is a Mexican roll and a backside 360 done at the exact same time. That sentence is the whole trick, and it's worth holding onto — the long explanation below makes it sound far more complicated than it feels. Most riders find the KGB the easiest of the off-axis 360 variations, easier than the whirly bird.
Before you try it you want both ingredients dialled: a clean heelside Mexican roll off the kicker, and a heelside backside 360 off the kicker with the handle pass already automatic. Approach from the opposite side of the cable to the kicker and roll onto a progressive medium edge. Not too hard, or the tension gets high on you; not too soft, or you won't get the pop. Just before the ramp, flatten off slightly, exactly like you would setting up a normal Mexican roll.
Going up the kicker, push through your legs for pop and start the back roll — but instead of looking under your armpit like on a Mexican roll, look almost straight down and towards the tip of the kicker. At the same time, start pulling the handle with your front hand towards your lower back to load the backside 360. As you leave the lip, let your eyes go from straight down to slightly backside while you roll the handle down and reach behind your back with your rear hand. Get that handle pass as early as you possibly can.
Once the handle is in your rear hand and you're looking backside, the trick is on autopilot. The line tension catches up and the rope pulls you around the backside 360 while the roll finishes itself. Around the 270 mark you'll spot your landing below you. Keep pulling the handle across, bend your knees on impact, and ride away.
Watch more here:
Video by JB ONeill
Key tips
- Have the Mexican roll and the kicker backside 360 both dialled first — the KGB is just the two at once
- Progressive medium edge in. Too hard and the tension spikes, too soft and you get no pop
- Look straight down towards the tip of the kicker to start the roll — not under your armpit
- Pull the handle to your lower back early, and pass to the rear hand as soon as you're off the lip
- After the pass, do nothing. The rope pulls the 360 around for you
- Spot the landing at 270, knees soft on impact