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How to do a Method Grab with Nate Kern

Now this is a grab that feels truly awesome when you nail it. It’s a trick that many big-name pros consider their favourite and everyone brings their own style to it. Think of the greats who do this trick beautifully: Jamie Lynn, Terje, Peter Line… The method is harder to do right than the other two as it’s not just grabbing front hand on heel edge (that would be a melon). it’s all about bringing your board up and arching your back. You will have to work for this one, but it’s well worth it.

Photo: Dan Milner

1. The Set-Up

So head towards the feature of your choice. Like with the other two, I would try this on a jump you’re already comfortable with first. Heading towards the jump, you want to put slight pressure on your heel edge.

2. The Pop

Again eyes looking to the lip of the take off, pop off the tail of your board – maybe a little harder than normal. With my methods, as I do this I’m already thinking about the grab. This starts me pushing my back foot out as soon as I get in the air.

3. Getting the Grab

Leave the lip and keep looking at your landing. Reach with your front hand towards your heel edge. I like grabbing just on the inside of right foot as you can see on the sequence. Remember to bend those knees as your hand reaches to find your edge and grab method. Think of your back hand staying forward, and your torso twisting in the opposite direction to your legs. Push forwards with your back shoulder to counter this rotation and keep you straight.

4. Styling It

To style it more, really twist your body and think about getting your board up in front of you. Kick the back of your board round with the back foot and arch your back as you tweak it. Really push your tail out for ultimate style points. Woooooo hooooooo! Feels good!

5. The Landing

Your eyes should pretty much always be looking towards the landing. Release the grab after you’ve styled it. Twist your hips back and shoulders straight again. This can seem hard when you have really tweaked it, and I have found a few times that I naturally ended it doing a backside 180 and landing switch! But that’s not the intention here so use those shoulders and centre up to land balanced over your board. Landing a little heel heavy is common with this trick, so don’t feel disheartened if you find this happening. Just really get that body back over the board and stomp it and you will be stoked! Go get it.

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