Aerial FlipTurn or Helix

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This move and description came from STEVE FISHER - www.stevefisher.net

I guess the best way to describe what the helix is and how to do it, would be to compare it to the aerial flip turn, since it is an extension of the flip turn. Therefore if you can do a good, radical flip turn, you should be able to do the helix. Here is a step by step instruction of the flip turn and a comparison of the two.

First - the Aerial Flip Turn

One of my favorite moves as well as one of the most dynamic and aggressive moves I know, is the aerial flip turn. You will need a fairly large, fast wave and a kayak of a very radical and aggressive design - a boat with a hard carving edge and/or fins. This ensures that the kayak will hold and grab as much water as possible whilst carving, so that by the time it releases it is ready to explode out of the water.

The goal of the move is to over edge a carve or turn so that the boat becomes airborne as a result of the force between the hull and the fast green water from upstream.

Step one:
Start in a neutral position as close to the top of the wave as possible. As you feel the boat surge down the face of the wave as maximum speed, use a stern rudder to start turning the boat and start a spin momentum. A slight bounce of the boat at this point can help.

Step two:
One your boat is almost sideways use an aggressive 'hip flick' to over edge the boat in the turn - leaning it down stream. The water would naturally want to push the boat downstream, but because of forward speed you have gained, the only option is up. Lift your paddle out of the water and enjoy 'take off'.

Step three:
At this point if you do nothing you will crash... and burn - either your boat will land bow first or you will land upside down. By putting in a forward sweep with the same hand that you initiated the move with, your bow will be pushed up and your stern will hit the water first. The more air you have and the later your sweep, the more the stern will rotate around and the more radical the move will be. (* This is the turning point between a flip turn and a helix)

Step four:
Your stern has hit the water, and you should help the bow to come down by thrusting your legs forward and your body onto the back deck. Add in some forward strokes, as soon as possible, to help regain your forward speed and bring your body upright.

This move will require every ounce of your energy and commitment. It is not as technically difficult as it looks but be sure to have an aching body after a day of flip turns.

Helix Vs Flip Turn

*At step three, in the flip turn is where the change occurs. In This example, instead of planting a sweep with the right hand (which would smash the stern into the water), an aggressive switch to the left hand and a twist of the body causes the boat to continue rotating on a horizontal plane. As the boat comes around on a full 360 degree rotation you plant the left paddle blade and start to rotate the boat back upright. So the boat has now done a 360 degree rotation on two axis. See the image sequence and video clip below.

Flip turn

Right blade is in the water smashing the stern

 

Helix

Both blades are out the water allowing
the boat to continue horizontal rotation

Helix Movie 41 Second MPG