What Are Some Of The Coolest Snowboarding Trick Names And The Lore Behind Them?

In action sports, snowboarding trick names are considered as one of the most creative and lore-rich

Several of the snowboarding trick names actually started appearing in the 1980s skateboarding vert scene. One can think of things like halfpipes and massive airs. It was only later that these names also started being used for snowboarding. The names were derived, as snowboarders experimented with various tricks and techniques.

In many cases, the tricks were named after the rider who not just thought about it but also carried it out successfully. Some snowboarding trick names utilized a combination of technical terms. For better understanding, let us take a look at some of the coolest snowboarding trick names and the lore behind them.

McTwist – This trick utilizes a combination of an inverted front flip with a 540 degree rotation or more. This is often achieved with the front hand on the toe edge. McTwist is classified as halfpipe/quarterpipe, where it feels like the rider is twisting upside down while launching forward. Talking about the lore part, this snowboarding trick is credited to skateboarder Mike McGill. He invented it in 1984 when riding a wooden halfpipe at a Swedish summer camp. McTwist became hugely popular and has become a snowboarding essential.

Caballerial – Considered to have originated in 1980-81, the Caballerial snowboarding trick is credited to skate legend Steve Caballero. As is evident, the trick is named after its inventor. This involved a switch frontside spin, where the snowboarder switches with the opposite foot forward. There are higher versions also such as the Cab 1080. On big air/slopes, one can also attempt a triple corks maneuver. Caballerial is one of the popular switch frontside spins.

Haakon Flip – This is said to have been invented by Norwegian snowboard icon Terje Haakonsen. The trick involves a switch frontside inverted 720 degree backflip along with two full rotations in the halfpipe. The rider starts with the frontside wall switch, launches backward into the pipe and lands forward. This snowboarding trick is all about power and pure style. Terje Haakonsen was considered a rebel in the sporting world, as he had boycotted early Olympics due to commercialization.

Stalefish (Grab) – This snowboarding trick is credited to Tony Hawk, who is said to have invented it around 1984-85. Interestingly, this trick was invented at the same location where the McTwist was born. Stalefish snowboarding trick involves the rider’s hand to grab the heel edge while in flight. It is a stylish mid-air grab, which enhances any spin or air. The name of this trick was randomly generated by its creator.

Lando-Roll – This snowboarding trick was created by Mark Landvik, nicknamed “Lando”. He made this trick famous during the 2010s. This trick involves a frontside corked spin, which is usually 540 degree or 720 degree. It integrates a method grab, essentially combining an off-axis flip, rotation and tweak for enhanced style.

Rodeo (and Backside Rodeo) – This snowboarding trick does not appear to have been created by any specific individual. The name is based on the wild, flipping motion often noticed in rodeo events. This trick involves a frontflip with a twisting spin, which is usually 540 degrees. In comparison, the backside rodeo trick involves a backflip and a backside spin off the heel edge. Visually, it feels like a rodeo bull twist in the air.

Wildcat & Tamedog – This snowboarding trick is also not linked to any specific creator. Instead, this trick name has been generalized based on natural movements of certain animals. In the Wildcat trick, the rider does a cartwheel-style backflip on a straight jump. In the Tamedog trick, the snowboarder carries out the frontline version off the nose. These snowboarding tricks are essentially old-school freestyle classics, popular for their unpredictability and raw appeal.