Low-Wind Freestyle – Pumping into Tweaks & 360s
You do not need a storm to do freestyle. In fact, light wind (10–15 knots) is often better for learning. The water is flat. The crashes are soft. The pressure is low.
2025 trends emphasize "Low-End Freestyle"—using efficient pumping to generate the lift needed for tricks rather than relying on raw wind speed.
Pumping for Pop
In light wind, the wing won't lift you. You must create the lift.
- The Pre-Jump Pump: Before the trick, pump the foil aggressively 3 times. Build board speed to 15 knots.
- The Load: Edge hard against the foil.
- The Release: Unweight. The foil's pent-up energy will pop you out of the water.
The Tweaked Jump
This is a style move perfect for lighter days.
- Execution: Pop a basic jump. Mid-air, twist your body 90 degrees. Grab the back handle of the wing (or the boom) with one hand. Tweak the board sideways.
- Why: It looks stylish and teaches you air awareness without the risk of a high-speed crash.
The Flatwater 360
Spinning in light wind is technical.
- The Entry: Build speed. Carve slightly upwind.
- The Spin: Pop and throw your head over your shoulder. Because the wind is light, the wing won't rip out of your hands. You can guide it gently through the rotation.
- The Landing: You will likely land with low forward speed. Pump immediately upon touching down to stay on foil.
The Skid Jump Transition
Combine a skid with a jump.
- How: Initiate a surface skid. Halfway through, stomp the tail to pop the board into the air.
- Result: A cool, skate-style transition that requires very little wind power.
Summary
Don't sit on the beach waiting for 25 knots. Rig your big wing (5m or 6m). Go out in 12 knots. Practice your pop. The skills you build in the light wind torque zone will make you invincible when the high wind returns.