Help switching Feet on Surfboard Before I Turn.

[Lmrutledge]

Any tips for a 240 Pie Clydesdale on HOW to switch feet on surfboard BEFORE I turn? I seem to Loose all my Boardspeed and don't make the Turn. Riding 6 ft 5 Sweeeeeeet Potato.

Thanks

[fourperf]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g4OVbtDXeg

a lot of board speed is not necessary.

[SupaEZ]

This will help.....even has your initials
http://www.centralhome.com/id/waltz-left-turn.jpg

[Lmrutledge]

I've seen that Vid before. In fact I have tried that. However at 240 Pies it's a Whole different story stepping around the board compared to the Lightweights. Is there anyone over 200 lbs that can chime in?

Thank u for the Vid tip though.

[juandesooka]

If you are very comfortable riding toeside you can do quite a bit of your turning in surf without changing your feet at all. Just ride your natural foot forward heelside or toeside. Or you can switch your feet way before you need to do it in a critical section ... a lot has to come together to switch your feet and turn into a wave, all in one smooth motion. Better to separate the two activities and make the wave imho!

Smoothest way to switch feet is to practice the hop and turn...no fancy footwork required, but takes a while to get used to. Doesn't seem that weight would make a difference for that.

[tautologies]

Hey so best advice I can give is to try to imagine switching, and try to do it with confidence...so pretend you know what you are doing. What will trip you is hesitation.

It can be done slow, with speed, whatever feels good. More speed will provide more support from the water so I would recommend going with a bit of speed in the beginning.


1. pull kite slowly up
2. move your back foot forward to the middle of the board
3. flatten the board
4. Move your front foot behind the back foot (you are now riding toeside)
5. move your new front foot forward
6. backfoot a bit further back
7. get your edge (lean a bit forward)
8. lean back push heels in and turn the board in the new direction


I tired to break it down all the way, but fact is that you should not over think it.

Happy new year
A.

[Tony]

I end up switching before the turn one way and after when riding the other. I ride regular so I always initiate the turn left foot forward. Maybe this is cheating but it makes it easier. Sometimes when switching before I stall and almost pivot but still make it.
Biggest thing is practice. Go out and jibe over and over, you'll figure it out.

[Lmrutledge]

Thank u all 3 for that last round of tips. I have thought about the Hop. Have not tried it. Doing what "A" says might work. Different weight position on board. Also I always try and start the turn with my Left foot also. I am Left foot forward.

I can ride Toes as good as I can Heelside. I want to switch because I feel I get tired sooner ridng long tacks on Toes. I seem to get more fatigued riding my Surfboard than my Twintip. Does that sound wright?

Thanks m

[juandesooka]

I can ride Toes as good as I can Heelside. I want to switch because I feel I get tired sooner ridng long tacks on Toes. I seem to get more fatigued riding my Surfboard than my Twintip. Does that sound wright?

I'd agree...I find toeside is about 70% as efficient, so have to work everything harder...and it is less natural / more strain on muscles, etc. For me, if I am riding strapped, I only change feet on long reaches, especially if I want to gain maximum upwind distance. Otherwise I just stay regular foot.

For strapless feet switching, I use the shuffle half the time (have enough speed that you can basically be riding with feet together "ski stance" momentarily) and the hop half the time. For the hop, I found it really helps to practice strapless airs first...gets you used to not having your feet so firmly glued to the board. "Easy" after that.

But the practice advice is best....just do it over and over and over and over....and then eventually natural.

[powerpersonified]

I think everybody jibes a little different.

The one thing that made the most difference when I was learning was to not look down. I bet i would sctew it up today if i was looking at my feet. It should just come to you the more you practice.

As far as your size... that is a big board. Should be fine for you.

I also like the tip about just pretending like you know what your doing.