Ricardo Campello: he nearly landed a triple loop | Photo: Campello

It looks unreal, and it can be dangerous, too. Windsurfing's triple loop is not yet a reality, but Ricardo Campello is leading the way.

Looping requires a lot of practice, but when you're going for a triple attempt, the chances will hurt yourself increase dramatically.

Wave sailing specialists know that timing, speed, a good ramp, and a powered sail are needed to land a double loop. And everything happens quickly.

Now, imagine the acrobatics involved in a triple loop. Because there's so much rotation going on, the landing is truly heavy and may result in a few broken bones.

Campello was one of the first to go for the triple loop. He started practicing it around 2008. Seven years ago, Boujmaa Guilloul passed out after trying to land windsurfing's ultimate loop.

"We were having mast-high waves in the bigger sets. I saw this ramp coming, and I knew it was the perfect wave for a triple try, so I went for it," the Moroccan windsurfer explained at the time.


"I hit the water, and I only woke up five minutes later on the beach, after being rescued by the lifeguards, and few friends. I was pretty lucky that day."

Guilloul spent three days in the hospital. But the quest didn't end. Antoine Martin and Philip Köster have also been trying to land the tricky maneuver, but they haven't been successful yet.

Recently, Ricardo Campello nearly landed what seems to be a triple push loop at Pozo Izquierdo, in the Canary Islands. He's almost there - maybe a little bit more wind, or perhaps a bigger ramp.

But remember: if you're going for it, use a helmet, wear an impact vest, and make sure you do it surrounded by friends or people that may help you in case anything goes wrong.

Learn how to do a forward loop.

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