Surfing
Surfing
How to master the bottom turn while surfing
Practicing a manoeuvre repeatedly is the only way to master it.
Behind the lines
© Gines Diaz/Red Bull Content Pool
There are two types of bottom turns: frontside and backside. You are trying to accomplish the same thing regardless of whether you're surfing frontside or backside.
The trick
The key is to hold onto your speed and generate a smooth, powerful transition with your turn. This is a move that you'll use every time you ride a wave, and each time you set yourself up for a maneuver. Try to keep your speed up as much as you can throughout the maneuver. Once you start making the turn, keep the same smooth line right the way through to maximise speed.
The smoother the better!
© Tory Fleming
Frontside Bottom Turn
Catch a frontside wave and ride down to the bottom of the wave, where the water starts to go flat. Make sure your foot placement and weight distribution are as described above. To start making the turn, lean forward and place your weight on your toes. Do not drag your toes in the water. Turn your shoulders into the wave and focus on where you want to go. Get the rail of your surfboard into the water, and you'll start to turn. Keep your knees bent and drive off the bottom of the wave, use your speed through the transition. Push with your back foot as you come off the bottom, extend all the way through your turn.
Lean back as you prepare for the backside bottom t
© Tory Fleming
Backside bottom turn
Catch a backside wave and ride down the face of the wave to the flats. As with the frontside turn, keep you weight distribution and foot placement as described above. Start making the turn by leaning back a little, putting weight on your heels. Make sure you've got your knees nicely bent, and turn your head round to look over your leading shoulder, back into the wave. Follow this with a turn of your shoulders. Get the rail into the water and start turning back into the wave. Put your weight onto your back foot and turn the board smoothly and powerfully.
27 min
ABC of... Surfing
Discover some facts and figures of surfing, from its origins to the spectacular adrenaline-fuelled present.
