Snowboard half-pipe is a prominent event featured in big-name sporting events including the Winter X Games. According to ABC-of-Snowboarding, the half-pipe often has a length of more than 300 feet. The cork is an advanced half-pipe maneuver that involves inverting yourself upside down while performing a backward somersault.
Single Cork
The single cork is the easiest variation and involves one backward somersault. The best area to learn the single cork is the fly-out portion of your local half pipe ramp. The fly-out area is just below the drop-in ramp. Bend your knees as you ascend the vertical wall of the half-pipe. Extend your legs as you reach the apex of the ramp, and throw your head back while bringing your knees to your chest. Spot your landing as you flip to the inverted position, and bend your knees as you land.
Double Cork
The double cork stalefish is an even more difficult variation. Perform the double cork on a super pipe to ensure you have enough air time to complete the two backward flips. The super pipe is a larger version of the half-pipe that features 15- to 18-foot walls. Professional riders often spin while executing the double cork. Jump vertically as you reach the apex of the super pipe, and throw your head back while rotating your shoulders. Snowboarding sensation Shaun White recommends grabbing the heel edge of the snowboard with your dominant hand.
Triple Cork
The triple cork has been successfully landed by only a few of the top snowboarders in the world. According to "Transworld Snowboarding" magazine, a Canadian professional snowboarder named Mark McMorris landed the first backside triple cork 1440 in March 2011. The triple cork 1440 combines three inverted back flips with a 1440-degree rotation. McMorris landed the trick on a large kicker ramp.
Grab Variations
Grab the different sections of the snowboard to add variations to your cork maneuvers. Grab the front end of the snowboard with your nondominant hand to perform a nose grab cork. Grab the nose with your dominant hand to execute a crail grab cork. Hold onto the toe edge of the snowboard with your dominant hand while flipping to perform an indy grab cork. Another trick variation, known as the cork method grab, involves holding onto the heel edge of the snowboard with your nondominant hand.
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