Surfing is an exhilarating sport that requires skill, patience, and practice. One of the essential skills that every surfer needs to master is turning on a surfboard. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps for turning on a surfboard and cover the different types of turns you can use – bottom turns, trimming turns, and top turns.
Bottom Turns: The Foundation of Turning on a Surfboard
Bottom turns are the foundation of surfing and the first type of turn that every beginner should master. These turns are performed at the bottom of a wave and allow the surfer to generate speed and set up for other maneuvers.
Step 1: Eye the Wave
Before you start a bottom turn, you need to eye the wave and assess its shape and size. Look for a section of the wave that is steep enough for you to make the turn.
Step 2: Position Yourself
Once you’ve found the right section of the wave, you need to position yourself correctly. Make sure your weight is centered over the board, and your back foot is positioned at the tail of the board.
Step 3: Carve and Lean
As you approach the bottom of the wave, start to carve and lean into the turn. Shift your weight towards your front foot and use your back foot to apply pressure to the tail of the board.
Step 4: Look Ahead
As you complete the turn, look ahead to the next section of the wave and prepare for your next move.
Trimming Turns: Turning Along the Face of the Wave
Trimming turns are performed along the face of the wave and allow the surfer to maintain speed and position while turning.
Step 1: Position Yourself
To perform a trimming turn, you need to position yourself in the sweet spot of the wave. This is the section of the wave where the energy is concentrated and the wave is steepest.
Step 2: Use Your Body
As you approach the sweet spot, use your body to make the turn. Shift your weight to the side of the board that you want to turn and use your feet to adjust your speed.
Step 3: Look Ahead
As you complete the turn, look ahead to the next section of the wave and prepare for your next move.
Tips for Mastering Turning on a Surfboard
- Practice, practice, practice. Turning on a surfboard takes time and effort, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away.
- Focus on your technique. Make sure your foot placement, body position, and weight distribution are all correct when performing a turn.
- Look ahead to where you want to go. Keep your eyes focused on the next section of the wave so that you can prepare for your next move.
- Use your feet to adjust your speed. If you need to slow down, shift your weight to your back foot, and if you need to speed up, shift your weight to your front foot.
- Experiment with different types of turns. Bottom turns, trimming turns, and top turns all have their own unique feel, so don’t be afraid to try them all out and see which ones work best for you.
Here is our favourite YouTube video to help improve your turning game!