Cutbacks

A cutback should be used if you are entering a flat section, where the wave is backing-off. Continuing down the line will result in a loss of speed, but a good quality cutback will maintain speed while returning you back to the more powerful part of the wave. When done properly, a cutback can look amazing. This is a technical move, requiring plenty of practice, and commitment, and practice. Also, let's not forget you'll need lots and lots of practice. (are you getting this!)

If it's possible, learn a cutback on a mellow point break or reef. Somewhere where you know that the wall is definitely going to stay up and not close on you.

You'll start the manoeuver when you are moving away from the curl, heading down the line. Make your bottom turn and try to keep plenty of speed, driving up the face of the wave. When you are in a position to make the turn, shift your weight more to equally to the front foot. Look back towards the whitewater, and keep looking in the direction you want to head.

Compress you body, making a T-position with you arms. You'll need to stay compressed though the 180° turn. Turn your arms, hips and torso in the direction of turn, and apply pressure on the back foot. At the same time, shift weight to the bottom rail (frontside - heel down / backside - toe down). Really commit to making a solid turn, and use your front foot to guide the board through the turn. If you don't rotate the trunk of your body, the cutback will lack power and it won't wrap around to the pocket. Feel free to touch the face of the wave as you turn, it's something you'll see many surfers do. (It will also make you look waaaay more stylish!)

Now the turn is complete. You can choose to simply pivot on your back foot, turning back down the line. Alternatively, lift the nose of the board out above the whitewater, and use the force of the whitewater to rebound you back into the wave. The choice is yours.

Watching other surfers can really help you visualise this manoeuver. Here we've knocked together a a video example of both a frontside and backside cutback, featuring Taj Burrow (fs) and Peter Mendia (bs). Both surfers end the cutback in a different way.

For more pointers, check out all our learning to surf articles.
Your tips and comments welcome. Please contribute here or over on the surf forum.

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  Guest

  on Mar 28, 2012

  This website is amazing and awesome!

• 

  islam

  on Mar 20, 2014

  cool thank you

• 

  Guest

  on Mar 20, 2014

  thank you very much it helped

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  Guest maxsagain@gmail.com

  on Feb 11, 2017

  Is there a cutback w/sound of surf, waves, no music, no talking? Is there a sound of someone saying banzai, cowabunga or whatever exclamation? Y T S A

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  Guest

  on Apr 18, 2017

  Amazing advice

• 

  Guest

  on Oct 19, 2018

  Thanks hunnymunchkin

• 

  Andie

  on Dec 4, 2018

  Good video.

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  Andie

  on Dec 6, 2018

  Great video!