Surf Technique Deep Dive

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Cutbacks: The Art of Changing Direction with Style

The Art of the Bottom Turn: The Foundation of Every Great Ride

Aerials: Taking Flight on a Wave

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Surf Technique Deep Dive

Patience is key. Watch the set patterns for a few minutes. Look for the peak—the spot where the wave is starting to break first. Position yourself just inside of it. Don’t just paddle for the first wave; wait for your turn. It’s about respect and reading the ocean. Going for a closeout just because it’s yours wastes a good peak. Sometimes the best move is to let the frothing pack go for one and be ready for the next, cleaner wave.

Reading a wave means predicting how it will break before it does. From the lineup, look at the horizon line. A lump that suddenly gets dark and steep is about to peak. Watch the angle of the swell, the wind, and the reef or sandbank below. The more time you spend just observing, the better you’ll get. You’ll start to see if it’s a left or right, if it will wall up or section, and where to take off.

Initiate your cutback from your upper body by looking and turning your shoulders back towards the whitewater or foam ball. Really lean on your back foot and use your front foot to guide the board through a tight, arcing turn. The goal is to redirect your speed back toward the power source—the breaking part of the wave. Don’t rush it; let the rail do the work. A solid cutback repositions you in the pocket and looks oh-so-stylish.

Surf Technique Deep Dive

The bottom turn is your foundation for everything else. As you hit the bottom of the wave, compress your legs, look where you want to go—usually back up towards the pocket—and engage your rail with a solid, committed turn. It’s all about generating speed and setting up your next maneuver. A weak bottom turn means a weak next move. Practice really driving off that back foot and feeling the rail bite. It’s the launchpad for your entire ride.

Pearling, or nosediving, usually means you’re too far forward on your board or you’re not angling enough. As you feel the wave lift you, take a few strong, deep strokes and then quickly slide your chest back a few inches to get the nose up. Also, start paddling at a slight angle, not straight toward the beach. This helps the board plane on the water instead of digging in. It’s a timing and positioning thing—you’ll get the feel.

Your foot placement dictates everything: speed, turning, and stability. Too far back and you’ll stall; too far forward and you’ll nose-dive. Generally, for speed, shift weight forward. For a turn, press on your back foot and the tail. It’s a constant, subtle dance. Feel the board under your feet and adjust based on the wave section. Good surfers are always micro-adjusting their stance. It’s about connecting with your stick and the wave’s energy, not just standing there.