REVERSE AIRS
Like so many of today’s moves its pioneer was Mike Stewart, but more recently it’s been taken to the next level by that aerial freak Jeff Hubbard. The first man to consistently pull the whole spin in the air demonstrates his freakish ability in this sick sequence.
Speed is more important to this move, if it is to be completed successfully, than almost any other. Look for a steep, wedging wave, preferably with a horse-shoeing air-section, which will give you the best possible chance at launching, and landing one.
Shot 1
Jeff Hubbard has already gone through about 50% of the fundamentals needed for the move; he’s bottom-turned, milking the wave for every ounce of speed, he’s eyed the spot that he wants to hit, and with impeccable timing he’s initiated the first part of the move. At this point Hubb is 100% committed to the move; his back is fully arched, and he is looking in the direction he wishes to spin.
Shot 2
Due to his momentum and timing, Hubb’s been catapulted up and out of the lip. Many people in the same situation would end up doing an off-the-lip reverse, but it’s Hubb’s ability to ‘pop it’ and put vast amounts of air between him and the wave, that differentiates him from many of his peers. You’ll notice that his legs are crossed - making the move look more refined - and he is, after having completed 40% of the rotation, again looking in the direction in which he is spinning - keeping that momentum going.
Shot 3
Whereas many air reverses are half completed in the air and half completed battling with the white-water, in this particular case Hubb’s determination has seen him complete 100% of the rotation in the air. It is almost as if he’s actively wrenched his board around mid-air to do this; the down side being the landing, check how heavy it is! It is worth noting that in the third shot Hubb’s legs are now uncrossed, helping him to stabilize his flight, and prepare for the landing by moving further down the board and eyeing-up a landing spot.
Shot 4
It is difficult to see because of the white-water, but in the final shot you can just see how both his elbows and his body are positioned further down the board. By doing this Hubb is maximizing his body’s ability to absorb the impact of the landing.