Overview and Structure
The Tootsie Roll is a freestyle trick that combines a toeside frontroll with a backside 180-degree spin, landing blind. Taking this rotation further by completing a full backside 360-degree handle pass in the air results in the “Dum Dum”.
Both tricks were originally invented by legendary wakeboarder Shane Bonifay when he was around 13 years old. Named after his favorite candies (Tootsie Roll and Dum Dums lollipops), they have become beloved technical and stylish toeside tricks in kitesurfing freestyle.
Mechanics and Tips
- Approach: Edge hard on your toeside, keep the kite stable, and unhook.
- Pop and Initiating the Roll: Kick off the water and throw your head and upper body forward to initiate the toeside frontroll.
- Switching the Rotation: Instead of spinning frontside like a Scarecrow or Crow Mobe, pull your shoulder back in the air to initiate a backside spin.
- Handle Pass and Landing: Pull the bar behind your back to make the pass. For a Tootsie Roll, land completely “blind” (facing away from the kite). For a Dum Dum, continue the rotation to land heelside (or wrapped/toeside).
Variations
- Dum Dum 5 (Dum Dum 540): An extremely high-difficulty variation adding an extra 180 degrees to the Dum Dum, resulting in a backside 540-degree rotation.
Notable Riders and Iconic Moments
Nathalie Lambrecht has made this trick a powerful weapon on the GKA World Tour. In a competition format that often leans heavily toward heelside tricks, she reaffirmed the importance of toeside maneuvers, using the Tootsie Roll as her signature move to score consistently high points.
Additionally, Hironobu Nakano is one of the notable riders known for favoring this highly technical and stylish trick.
Style masters like Tom Court also break down the charm of this classic trick in their tutorial videos, maintaining its enduring popularity among freestyle enthusiasts.
Search Aliases: Tootsie Roll, TootsieRoll