First loop attempt - too many years later

This is my admittance. I've been sailing basically 16 years now. Started in Johannesburg and in those days refused to sail anything bigger than a 7.2, which later became a 5.8 as my maximum, so in other words I didn't sail a lot and did many stupid stints in thunderstorms to get my fix. From 2008 I sailed in Cape Town although was out of sailing that year, and for the 4 years before that mainly because whitewater kayaking took over. I consider myself a half decent sailor. These days I sail 98% waves and the other 2% "old school freestyle", ie. non-aerial moves. I'm still trying to vulcan! But I can wave ride over mast high no problem, do carve 360's, upwind 360, push tacks, duck gybes, body drags but no loops Throughout that time I've been too pathetic to try the forward loop. I know how to forward. I've read the articles, I've watched the videos, but I never tried. That deep instinct of avoiding the catapult is within me, as with most sailors. Yesterday I decided let me try this now and see what happens. I'd had enough, and the SE winds will soon abate so I decided to harden up.

I rigged an 85 litre thruster and a 5.0 yesterday after work. Wind was lightish and waves tiny. I went across the wind and hit a piece of chop but my enthusiasm was not aligned with reality and before the board probably left the water I sheeted in and promptly catapulted myself off the front of the board. I felt a bit of fear before trying, no doubt. I went out, gybed, sailed back and waited for a gust in the shallows. I got up and a sweet little 80cm ramp presented itself. I jumped properly and sheeted in but unfortunately I didn't do the sideways rotation I hoped for and went directly over the bars. It felt great! The mast tip hit the water and I landed in the water upside down but minimal impact and no pain. The barrier of trying the first ones had been broken, which everyone says is the most important thing to get past! Sure, I don't anticipate to master them in a few tries, but the wheel are started to turn.

The wind turned a bit more easterly and caused wind shadow in the spot where I was sailing and no more chances to try again, but I felt satisfied. And possibly even ashamed that I never tried it a few years earlier The next few days are looking epic for wind...