Are there any goals to go for while learning pumping? I can do it both sides anf toeside now, but not very safely.
When I put my feet to a narrower stance, then I cannot pump anymore? At least it gets very wobbeling then and in that narrow stance I cannot pump anymore. So I put the board onto the surface and don't even stick that easier footchange;)
We're saying "pump", but it's more like letting the foil rise to give you time to have your CoG forward more while you swap front foot -- gives you time (mast space) for the foil to sink without touching down.
You can just start with the foil high, or ride over chop and change in the trough (I started this way, thanks to jumptheshark) but the advantage of doing it with a pump is that you get more time to "float" above the board...
With a narrow stance, you need to use your front leg more, or actually lean back...
Wobbliness goes away the more you try. I thought it was due to maybe building strength or coordination in my ankles...?
You will need much less of a noticeable "pump" (or step off from the back foot is maybe a different way to describe), as you improve.
For me, the bigger wing wasn't the cure, but I found it much more forgiving of imprecise foot placement and my success rate increased dramatically my first session on a 1000cm2 wing.
I was never particularly good at surface foot swtiches, since the board would lose speed quickly as it hit chop, so I just kept going for it on the fly.
Good point on the stance width. That's definitely a factor.
Great example of a wave cresting foot switch at 1:40, then the tutorial oat 3:10.
is humorous. (to me)
(i never attempted switches...comfy on gybes..and maybe 50:50 on duck tacks(without foot switches)
but i felt it is time to learn.
i watched that little girl's video on foot switches...and was practicing her little foot kick thing. when i looked behind before my gybe.. that little girl in the video was right behind me the whole time i'm doing those little exercises. her and i assume the drexler guy both on the water with their clouds.
(this is on a beach...far far away from maui)
Wobbliness goes away the more you try. I thought it was due to maybe building strength or coordination in my ankles...?
You will need much less of a noticeable "pump" (or step off from the back foot is maybe a different way to describe), as you improve.
For me, the bigger wing wasn't the cure, but I found it much more forgiving of imprecise foot placement and my success rate increased dramatically my first session on a 1000cm2 wing.
I was never particularly good at surface foot swtiches, since the board would lose speed quickly as it hit chop, so I just kept going for it on the fly.
For me it helped keeping the feet as close as possible in a very narrow stance. When you attempt the switch the change in COG is minimum.
After success you can practice increasing the distance between feet. This way I learned very quickly after just a few attempts.
Also try with most of the mast under water. It increases stability.
Yeah, agree, bringing back foot forward just before the switch helps heaps and was one of the key ingredients initially for the miracle to happen for me.