Beginner's Guide to Surfing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding Surfing Turns

As a beginner surfer, learning the basics of surfing is essential to mastering the sport. One crucial aspect of surfing is understanding how to turn your board, and one fundamental turn that every surfer should master is the cutback. In this guide, we'll delve into the world of surfing turns, focusing on two types: cutbacks and bottom turns.

Scenario 1: Cutting Back

Imagine you're catching a wave at a beach break, with the water rushing past your board. As you begin to paddle out, you feel a surge of adrenaline as you gain speed and momentum. Suddenly, you spot a large wave approaching, and you need to react quickly. To cut back, you'll want to shift your weight onto your back foot (for right-handed surfers) or reverse your rotation by shifting your weight onto your front foot.

As you paddle towards the tail of the wave, focus on keeping your arms straight and using your entire body to generate power. When you feel the wave start to lift you up, quickly shift your weight back onto your back foot, feeling the board dip into the water. At the same time, extend your front foot outwards, keeping it close to the wall of the wave.

Types of Surfing Turns: Cutback and Bottom Turn

Before we dive deeper into the details of cutbacks and bottom turns, let's first understand the difference between these two types of turns.

• Cutback: A cutback turn involves shifting your weight onto your back foot while keeping your front foot close to the wall of the wave. This type of turn is commonly used when you're trying to avoid getting caught in a barrel or catch a wave that's already being ridden by someone else.
• Bottom Turn: A bottom turn, on the other hand, involves shifting your weight onto your back foot while keeping your front foot close to the ground. Bottom turns are often used for more advanced surfers who want to add some power and speed to their turns.

The Role of Board Length in Cutbacks

One crucial factor to consider when learning cutback turns is board length. A shorter board (around 6-7 feet) can make it easier to cut back, as you'll need to generate more power to overcome the resistance of the wave. On the other hand, a longer board (around 8-9 feet) will require more power and control to perform a successful cutback.

For beginners, a shorter board is usually recommended, as it's less stressful on the body and allows for more confidence-building practice with the cutback turn.

The Role of Board Length in Bottom Turns

Bottom turns, by contrast, often require longer boards (around 8-10 feet) to generate enough speed and power to perform a successful turn. However, this also means that beginners may find it harder to control their board, as they'll need to work on developing the necessary muscle memory and technique.

As with cutbacks, there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to board length for bottom turns. Beginners should start by practicing short cutsback turns (around 6-7 feet) before moving on to longer boards.

Tips and Tricks

• Practice cutting back in shallow water or a wave that's not too powerful.
• Start with small waves and gradually move on to bigger ones as you build confidence and skill.
• Focus on keeping your arms straight and using your entire body to generate power.
• Remember, practice makes perfect! Don't get discouraged if you don't catch the turn right away – keep trying, and you'll eventually develop the necessary skills.

In conclusion, learning the cutback and bottom turns is an essential part of surfing. By understanding how these fundamental turns work and practicing them in shallow water, beginners can build confidence and improve their overall surfing skills. Remember to start with shorter boards for cutbacks and longer boards for bottom turns, and always focus on developing your technique and muscle memory. With patience and practice, you'll be riding the waves like a pro in no time! Surfing Turns: Cutback vs Bottom Turn Guide

Bottom Turn

Key Takeaways

• Cutbacks are used for avoiding barrels or catching waves ridden by others.
• Bottom turns require longer boards to generate enough speed and power.
• Beginners should start with shorter boards (6-7 ft) for cutbacks and longer boards (8-10 ft) for bottom turns.

Tips and Tricks

Join our community on Discord: