Even after all these years, the basic rotation is a vast mystery to the surfer mind.
(This helpful story first appeared on LodgeGrit. How fun!)
This video just came out of this surfer doing a 720, yet they call it a “double spin.”
Then when they’re talking about it, or writing about it, the surf dudes keep calling it a “540.”

DUDES!
That makes no sense! First of all if it’s a double spin, that right there is inferring that it’s a 720. Also, like this move has been done on skateboards and snowboards, so why is it a 720 on a snowboard or a skateboard, yet a 540 on a surfboard?
I don’t want to take away how insane this shit is that this dude is doing, but like, why do you surfer bros keep fucking up rotation names? A wave has transition and it’s like a 1/4 pipe, so name your rotations as such.
It’s not rocket science.
Well maybe it’s like very very basic rocket science in a sense, but still. Get it right surfer bros!
Here is a backside 540…
And here’s a backside 720…
And now you know, bro!
thank you Hondo, Mr. Amer enlightened me years ago and I’ve been trying to spread to the masses ever since.
If he’d done the full rotation clean it’d be a 900. As it is, it’s a double air reverse/720 revert/shit 900 depending on if you’re a surfer/skater/snowboarder. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to finding the cure for cancer.
I look at us sucking at naming things as a positive. It means were less fixated on the quantifiable and more into the aesthetic.
I got out my drawing compass and traced it on the screen and then tried to count the degrees but couldn’t and now my screen doesn’t work and mum is screaming and my grandparents are still dead.
this is where surf is different from skate n snow… its so basic. From the point of lift off, the nose of the board is 0 degrees (start of the rotation), and the point of the nose where the board lands is the end of the rotation – no cheats. i.e. if launching parallel to the lip line, you don’t add 90 degrees to the air. Get a trace on there and its a 540 ish http://landing.traceup.com
btw that was MENTAL Albee! Keep pushing it and the Tour will have to follow
Yeah, that’s what I don’t get. It’s not like he’s going straight at the halfpipe coping. Therefore, it’s equivalent to a flatground trick.
100%, the fucking snowboarders add a free 180 to their pipe tricks and want us to get on board, they’d say a tre flip was a 540 too
I’m trying so hard to think of something that matters less. Seriously, I’ve got nothing.
Welcome to Beachgrit.
Since when was there a lodgegrit?
Exactly
Only the amount of snowy days in San Diego matters less.
I don’t get it either, If you do a FS 360 ollie on a skateboard on flat and slither around the last part of the rotation it’s still a 360.
And the funny part is that reverting shit actually looks sick and requires a ton of control, especially at speed.
Agreed. Thanks, condescending silverspooned douchebag.