Pre-requisites

Before learning how to carve on your back aiming to be head up and in-facing, you will first need to be sure that you are a very comfortable at back flying, ensuring that you can confidently move in every direction comfortably, without any concern. It will also be helpful to have comfort in flying while being able to fully rotate your head from one side to the other from a neutral position and also have great range of motion skills, being able to fly with your legs and/or arms offset all while maintaining the same position within the flight chamber and not drifting toward the tunnel wall.

These skills will be advantageous in learning how to control yourself and will help in overall control while learning to carve.

Finally, it will be very useful that you have some experience with the back to belly transition.

Objectives

Your objectives in mastering this skill should be the following:

o  To carve on your back in a consistent circle around the tunnel with your head toward the outer edge of the tunnel and facing the center

o  This carving technique should be done utilizing the correct body position, focusing on the position of your hips and how you position your legs down in to the wind

o  The carve should be performed in both directions in order to be considered mastered

Preparation

Preparing for this skill entails being comfortable at flying on your back at a range of different wind speeds and having a wide range of motion with your body position. Having these capabilites will not only make you a better flyer but it will also give you the confidence to place multiple skills together to create a carving momentum and give you comfort when placing yourself in a position that may seem disorienting.

Technique and Drills

Basic

In order to be successful with this skill, keep these elements in mind:

• Begin in a back flying orientation and start a rotation and slowly work your position as to slightly raise your body from a horizontal orientation
• In the beginning, your Instructor may act as a reference point to help you throughout the maneuver
• Aim to master the understanding of how to control the speed of the rotation and building correct body position habits
• Monitor the position of your hips and how straight your body is
• When you come to a stop, plan to remain the same distance from the center and still facing the center to either begin again in the same direction or start a rotation in the opposite direction

Post-flight questions / suggestions

·     Were you able to maintain the correct body position?

·     Did you maintain a consistent level and shape of the carve?

·     Are you comfortable carving in both directions at the appropriate wind speed?