Surfing Position On The Wave
19 commentsSurfing is all about going fast enough to keep on the wave. Forget what your driving instructor has told you, there is no such thing as going too fast in surfing! Your surfing position on the wave is where your speed will come from.
Surfing is like going downhill. As you drop down the face of the wave, you'll build up speed. You can use your legs and body weight to keep your speed up to carve on the wave. To pick up speed you need to maintain a high position up on the wave.
When you are just beginning to surf, you'll initially have too much on your mind to think about speed, and you'll likely think that you are ripping along despite what you do. At first only think about cruising along the shoulder of the wave and keeping in front of the white water. Then, when you feel you are ready to speed up, take a look at how other surfers do it.
Gaining speed is probably the first thing you need to work on once you are no longer a beginner. Speed is the base for many surfing tricks and is needed to throw up plenty of spray.
Surfer High Up A The Wave
The above picture shows the surfer high up on the wave. He will be able to dramatically increase his speed by dropping down the face of the wave if required. (Not that there will be any lack of speed on this wave!)
After-Surf Position
So what about "after surfing"? What is the best position then? Well, you should position yourself at bar, obviously. (Only a soft drink for all you under-age grommets!). But what is the best position to be in at the bar? Like any good surfer make sure that you put your hand in your pocket when it is your round. Check out this picture and then have a look at the explanation below.
People Standing At The Bar
Position A - This is a great way to relax after a full day of surfing. Get a few games of pool under your belt and punish the guy who has been snaking you all afternoon
Position B - If you are having a few drinks make sure you are near the bathroom, and the way is clear.
Position C - Underage? Well, you should not be in the pub at all. Stop reading this section and get on with your homework!
Position D - If you want to get served then make yourself seen. If you are not very tall try wearing a pair of '70s-style platform shoes, a guaranteed way to add an extra couple of inches. And always give the bar person your best smile.
solid
: )
you really need 2 include the after surfing thing?
i really want to surf and this really helped me im about t surf my first wave in a couple of weeks thx :) !!!!
cheers man, had two lessons so far an i'm looking out for 2nd hand board now, gonna do a couple more lessons tho, Bundoran, Ireland is my spot, surfing rocks !!
Great to hear. You'll have plenty of good waves ahead of you if your local is Bundoran. Lucky you!
Cool. I'm going to surf one day :)
Well its winter and right now im mastering my pop-up and considering wether or not to "surf" up and down a hill of snow to test my balance. Will that ruin my board? It has a foam bottom and no fin. Wait. . . is a fin nessisary for surfing? Is it just to help the board stay pointing foward? Am I asking to much questions? Sorry im just stoked about surfing and I dont wanna end up looking like a kook.
Thanks guys, fun times, thanks for the brush up!
sick waves in Durban pull in during the winter, so keen to test out my new surfing knowledge!
Does anyone know the surfing positions for a surfboard, I have a class assignment were I need to write the key components of getting to the standing up position on the surfboard. If anyone also knows of a site that has this information could you please post it in the comments. Thanks :)
"Position C - Underage? Well, you should not be in the pub at all. Stop reading this section and get on with your homework!"
Yeahhhh, I should probably start doing my homework.
Just got myself a new board. Started shredding today. I have been Surfing for 3 years, and every once and awhile I come and read this site to refresh my memory
Grear tips!
I really dig your articles. Informative and with a great sense of humor. You'd laugh if you know how many times I've made my lady stop what she's doing and listen to me read random bits of articles, such as the 'after-surf position' in this one.
Yo man, loved this article, pensacola beach here, somthing im interested in is goofy footed v regular, or should the wave dictate how one plants?
Joe and others, try taking a few minutes to read the 'learn to surf' articles at the top of the board.
Just got to Hawaii - took a lesson but these articles sent it home. Best takeway was positioning, I kept trying to catch waves too late. Love the after-surf, plenty of aloha out here.
Great encouragement from this, last time i was learning to surf, i was put off for while because a group of surfers were laughing at the way i was learning, i think beginner surfers need more encouragement like this from the more experienced! Great tips, thank you so much