Melon
also known as: Melancholy · Melon Grab
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Shown for a regular-footed rider. Teal ring + arrow = the rider's facing direction; teal band = the tail; a dot is where a hand holds the board - bright yellow for the front hand, amber for the back one, which is the whole difference between a mute and an indy. Board and rider rotate independently - each follows its own component. Drag to orbit.
How it works
The front hand reaches behind the front leg and grabs the heel-side rail between the feet - short for 'melancholy', the mellow, laid-back air it produces. Because the leading hand crosses to the heel edge, the chest naturally opens away from the board and the front knee has room to bone straight, giving the melon its signature stretched profile. It is the heel-side sibling of the indy and the foundation of the method.
Step by step
- Leave the coping and compress, drawing the board up under you.
- Reach your front hand down behind your front knee to the heel-side rail between the feet.
- Grip the rail and let your chest open away from the deck, boning the front leg if you want the classic look.
- Float the peak holding the grab, board pulled slightly up and behind.
- Release, square back up over the bolts, and extend for the re-entry below the coping.
Body mechanics
| Front foot | Pushes forward against the nose as the leg bones out, stretching the board away from the body. |
|---|---|
| Back foot | On the tail, keeping the board's pitch level while the front leg extends. |
| Shoulders | Open away from the grab side, chest lifting skyward - the source of the melancholy style. |
| Arms | Front hand grabs heel rail; rear arm swings up and back for counterbalance. |
| Gaze | Down the ramp over the leading shoulder to track the re-entry. |