Must Watch: Surfing’s (Almost) First 360 Flip

We knew wavepools were going to change surfing. What we didn’t expect was the rate and scale at which it would happen. Especially when it comes to skate-influenced maneuvers.

Case in point: Brad Flora’s near-make on a 360 flip last night in Waco.

Incredible stuff, but we have so many questions. A quick chat with Brad revealed further insights.

Stab: What made you think a 360 flip was possible on a surfboard?
Brad Flora: It started with an impossible in the ocean on a small “chop hop” scale. When I started getting the right rotation on those, I figured it was for sure possible in the pool.

How many attempts did you give it? And what attempt was this one?
I must’ve tried it 50-60 times from arrival to departure. This attempt was halfway through our session last night, after delays with tornado warnings and lightning and all that fun stuff. We probably drank 60 beers waiting for the call before paddling out haha. I tried it on every wave.

What was your biggest learning?
I started trying a bunch of impossibles wrapped around the back foot, and they seemed to wanna go down easier. Then I started moving my back foot around and noticed that when you hang your toes closer to the edge it gives it the pressure flip effect — flipping/scooping with the back foot instead of a normal 360 kickflip where it’s a combination of back foot scoop and front foot flick.

When are you going back to land it? (Hopefully soon)
I’m going back next available session to end this fucking war. Thanks so much to Mike, Amy, Brian and the crew at Waco Surf, fucking legends!