Overview and Structure
The Scarecrow is a freestyle trick where the rider approaches on their toeside edge, initiates a frontroll, and executes a frontside 180-degree spin in the air. By adding an extra 180 degrees of spin (totaling 360 degrees) and completing a handle pass in the air, the trick becomes a “Crow Mobe”.
Originally invented in wakeboarding, the name “Crow Mobe” combines “Crow” from its foundational trick, the Scarecrow, and “Mobe” (Mobius), which indicates a 360-degree rotation involving a handle pass. It serves as a crucial stepping stone for mastering frontside rotations from a toeside approach.
Mechanics and Tips
A successful Crow Mobe relies on keeping the rotational axis relatively flat (rather than too vertical) during the Scarecrow phase, allowing for a smooth transition into the ensuing spin.
- Approach: Edge hard on your toeside, keep the kite in the correct position, and unhook.
- Pop and Initiating the Roll: Kick off the water and use your lower body to initiate the toeside frontroll.
- Axis Control: Rather than just flipping forward, focus on keeping your body relatively flat (horizontal) in the air to set up for the ensuing spin.
- Spin and Pass: Initiate a frontside spin near the end of the frontroll. If you spin 180 degrees and land, it is a Scarecrow. If you continue the rotation to pass the bar in the air, it becomes a Crow Mobe.
- Landing: For a Crow Mobe, land on the water completely blind (facing away from the kite) to absorb the impact.
Variations
- Crow Mobe 5: A highly difficult variation combining a toeside frontroll with a frontside 540-degree spin (an extra 180 degrees past the 360).
- Grabbed Crow Mobe: A stylish variation where the rider adds grabs, such as a Melon or Nose grab, while rotating in the air.
Notable Riders and Iconic Moments
Toeside tricks like the Crow Mobe require a different type of board control compared to heelside approaches (like the KGB or 313), making them an essential milestone for many freestyle riders.
Top riders like Tom Bridge and Nathalie Lambrecht frequently showcase incredibly stylish Crow Mobes in their video parts and during competitions. The pop from the toeside edge and the control required for the blind landing serve as a crucial foundation for more advanced toeside mobes.
Search Aliases: Crow Mobe 5, CrowMobe5, Scarecrow