There’s no denying the appeal of the flat water backflip. The speed of the maneuver, the slick landing, the unexpected thrill—it all adds up to make the move a true treat, both for the person executing the trick and for those watching. Maybe that’s what led Václav “Iceman” Žáček, a professional freestyle PWC athlete, to call it “the trick everybody talks about.”
While that’s certainly true, we’re well aware that sometimes the tricks which seem most impressive can also feel the most intimidating—and it’s no surprise that very few of the PWC enthusiasts we know have ever attempted the feat. However, it’s exactly those kinds of fears that led the Iceman to hop onto his YouTube channel and dispel some of the myths around performing a jet ski backflip, releasing a full tutorial guiding potential thrill seekers through the ins and outs of executing this impressive, but approachable, trick.
Žáček begins his tutorial by explaining the relatively low barrier to entry for performing the backflip, noting that almost any freestyle aftermarket hull will have you set up nicely for this trick, with as little as an 800cc engine.
From there, he walks the viewer through the key steps to executing the trick. He explains that the easiest way to set up for a flat water backflip is with a horseshoe wake, due to its accessibility and predictability. He emphasizes the importance of the “pre-pulse”—a technique of tapping the gas just as you’re approaching the wake, in order to extend the drag of the following pump. Then, when your PWC begins to descend and you’re about to enter the wave, it’s time to hit the gas again—full throttle—and pull the trim lever simultaneously.
From here, body positioning becomes crucial. Žáček explains that you need to pull all your body weight backward, keeping your knees bent as you enter the wave. Once you begin to catch air, you’ll want to pull the handlebars toward you while looking back over your head toward the water. It’s simple, he explains, “wherever your head goes, the body will follow.”
Finally, the Iceman stresses the importance of taking the right safety precautions when attempting this trick. He advises holding the PWC tight, keeping your feet wedged in the footholds to ensure you never lose contact with the watercraft. It’s normal to under-rotate a few times, he notes, but the most dangerous thing you can do is let go of the PWC too soon. And of course, wearing a helmet is always a good idea when trying out these kinds of maneuvers.
So, if you’re interested in trying your hand at the world of freestyle PWC, the flat water backflip could certainly be a great place to start. Be sure to check out Iceman’s video to get a solid idea of what goes into a trick like this!
