Any tips? Beginner video

[oldmansurfer]

Looks like you’re doing well. Only thing I would say is work on your positioning on the wave focusing on getting closer to the power pocket of the wave Of course this is just one wave so maybe not representative of you wave reading ability

[Naeco78]

Good job moving forward on the board during the steeper sections. That really helped you to pickup speed when it was needed. Really good awareness.
If it's a reef break, I would maybe just suggest learning the shallow/deeper areas of the surf spot, to gauge when to cutback into the pocket and for how long. That's just a general thing I've tried to start doing more myself.. taking a few minutes to watch the lineup before paddling out.. and check for any areas where waves are consistently standing up (or flattening out) in one place all the time. It looked like the surf spot in the video may have been that way.. judging by the fast and slow sections on the wave.. but it's hard to tell from just a short clip. It can be much harder to pickup on those types of things after you're in the water already.

[nooshie]

Thanks for the tips! This was the second time I surfed this particular spot. It’s what I would describe as the inside section of a point break with a rock reef bottom. Definitely had consistent steep and soft sections and sections that would consistently close out on the bigger waves that came through. I think if I had a few more days there, I’d get a better handle on staying in the pocket but definitely could have gotten a head start on that if I had spent more time watching how it breaks! That’s something I’ll keep in mind as I explore new breaks. A central focus of mine as I’m trying to walk the board is doing it at the right time and for the right reason… such a fun journey to be on!

[waikikikichan]

You've improved and not side eyed bent over now.

BUT....... go back and look at your video again. Focus on nothing else, not the wave, not the board, not your legs, not your head, nothing but your Front Right Arm. What is it doing ? Looks like it in a sling, bent and rigid. You need the lead arm to LEAD the turn, not elbow to be locked to the body.

When you did get out on to the shoulder and veered back to the curl ( which was a good move and shows your knowledge of what the wave is doing ), you did it by sticking out your hip. You need to have the twisting of the waist, which starts by looking back to the curl and leading/pointing in that direction with your lead arm/hand.

[nooshie]

Thank you! That's really helpful. I'll focus on thinking about that hand next time I'm out. Would you say that to get a sharper/quicker cutback to the curl, I also need to move farther back on the tail?

[waikikikichan]

Would you say that to get a sharper/quicker cutback to the curl, I also need to move farther back on the tail?

YES, but also NO. By getting your body further back to the tail, the board can pivot off the fin(s) better and the length of the board "shrinks". But when you step back more, you then need to step forward more after you come out of the turn. You have to look at all surfing techniques as a whole. From head to toe. Just moving back but not looking back with your eyes ( and having the fore mentioned locked down front arm ) will not have much effect.

Your turn backs are good. Just progressively hold that come back longer and longer, almost to the point where you can rebound off the whitewater curl. You are cutting back out too early and not making use of the wave's energy.

** fair warning ** When you start to do sharper/quicker turns, the transition from inside rail to flat bottom to outside rail and back is when the board's rail/edge can catch ( especially if not done smooth and without speed ). That is when people get a rail to the shins or board to the chest. If you're going to be more aggressive, you have to be more committed. **

[IanCaio]

Can definitely see the improvements, nice work!

[nooshie]

Really helpful breakdown. Definitely gave me a lot to think about. Experimented with moving the lead arm back today and for sure noticed a difference. Also caught myself trying to lead with the hip. Thanks again!