SUP Surfing Footwork - How To

[@clayisland]

Hi, Learn to Foil: clayisland.com/learn-to-foil/ More videos: clayisland.com/category/member-videos/

[@fernandosandoval5265]

Doing the foot work makes a big difference it’s been working for me

[@surfnatur4885]

just love this video it was a huge help for me when i started sup surfing last year. Its a huge gamechanger .thanks

[@clayisland]

Right on! Thank you!

[@LaLuzIsMe]

Thank you for this information. I river SUP surf and.find it very similar on that environment rhe.need to pivot and.dance a bit.on my board.Keep SUPing!

[@garrisonmccray6087]

Lol this video was a revelation, I tried being more mobile towards the inside rail during my last session and it was like night and day. It’s so much easier to make a sharp bottom turn and keep a high line. Thanks for the vid!

[@clayisland]

Awesome!

[@TranslucentStudios]

Great vid. I really appreciate your humble and thoughtful way of communicating.

[@evenstevenmotodrone735]

What a great video. I want to try some of that here in Costa Rica 🏄‍♂️🇨🇷

[@dogbark100]

YES. Thanks from an Oregon-based SUP surfer. SUBSCRIBED!

[@randydurnil1824]

Great video, thanks for the tip

[@ncabugos100]

thank you! right now i just need to master the footwork, I surf backside so, thanks again!

[@gordlockwood1213]

Thanks for the video! All my paddling is usually on a lake that's at 4000 feet above sea level. It's always cold water, so no fun to fall. I will be in Maui this June and want to try SUP surfing. I took surf lessons for first and only time there and found I was too old, slow and unflexible to pop up and land both feet properly. But SUP eliminates the first problem of getting to my feet and into the wave. Next, the other challenges like balance, foot work etc.

[@WesleyWong-wm1fl]

Just thinking about getting into SUP surfing and your videos are totally inspirational. You are one smart cookie in the way you filmed this video. I can actually follow your instructions along with the video. Most surf videos are soooooo terrible and shot so poorly, so thanks a million and look forward towards your next film, whatever that maybe.

[@clayisland]

Right on! I appreciate your feedback, inspires me to keep making videos, thank you.

[@morrisrtm]

hey man thanks for making this video. I am at this point where i am trying to learn top and bottom turns and this has helped me understand it alot! great video.

[@spencerstromberg]

Perfect narration and video pace. Well done

[@jpdsh3d]

Nice Work, I will be trying it out on my new board today.

[@impalaood]

Hey just wanted to say this is the best film on this subject that I have found on the net after weeks, no make that months of searching. Liked, shared and subscribed. Keep up the great work!

[@clayisland]

impalaood Awesome and thanks! Will do.

[@bradhouston4734]

Awesome. Thanks man! Love the stoke

[@daviddieterle8172]

This is fundamental insight. Thanks for your concise analysis with a personal touch. Rock solid!

[@michaelburk9173]

Great video and advice. I had years of short and long board experience when I started SUP surfing. And had the same problem, and frustration, you did in the beginning. I tried to turn long board style by getting way back on the tail. It worked but I would lose all my speed. A buddy told me to move my feet toward the inside turn rail. And that worked much better. The trouble was I wasn't going far enough. To get a big wide board to turn I needed both feet on the rail. (Like my toes wrapped over the rail) to hold a right trim or turn. I started on a 12' x 32" and over the last 3 years have gone thru 5 progressively smaller boards to the 8-4 x 29 120l board I'm riding now. All those boards needed rail weight. But the smaller narrower boards needed less weight but greater percission. My small board has a smaller sweet spot to move in. Just a few inches off n things can go wrong.

[@SaltBushCity]

Saw your video a few days ago and tried this technique yesterday. You're so right, an absolute game changer. Thanks.

[@clayisland]

Excellent! You're welcome.

[@jimkono4100]

what a great presentation and told as though you were right here in the room conversing. Showing the falls was also a good thing for the human perspective. Thanks! really enjoyed.

[@clayisland]

Jim Kono Awwwwesome! You are most welcome.

[@phk8411]

Great video thanks

[@corylineback4966]

It helps for sure!!! Still trying to master!! So close but not there yet

[@zyojijackson6006]

Awesome video! Love the slow motion shots of regular and sup surfers for reference. They are amazing -this morning I had the chance to surf with Finn and his brother in Tofino and they were the ones to watch. Finn was standing knee deep on a regular surfboard as his sup. For me as a 40 year old grom, this video and sup surfing keep me so stoked! Love to see you get barrelled and document that...

[@clayisland]

Zyoji Jackson Awesome to hear your stoke, thanks for sharing! Yesterday I was as deep as I have yet to be on a SUP, looking forward to to getting barreled!

[@zyojijackson6006]

Looking forward to the footage. I'll charge the GoPro next time I go out when its sizable here on south Vancouver Island and try for a cover. Great footwork watching with talented Sebastian Gomez getting barrels at Puerto: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2eqaXh4nq57gaM

[@crcpeart]

🤙🤙 Thanks so much great insight!! I have been falling on my face or on my back so much recently trying to get this 8’ SUP to TURN!!! Can’t wait to try this !!!

[@clayisland]

Awesome, look forward to hearing of your progress.

[@marksalvetti4894]

Great video, thanks for the info. Very helpful.

[@alexdonchev1491]

Absolutelly love it. Love this video

[@firmanmedia]

Thanks so much for this video. I’ve finally been able to catch waves this last year and have a new board on the way with a good surf rail design. So these foot work tips are great. Hopefully I will be surfing them with some control soon.

[@michaeloneill5824]

Nice. Very humble. Good tips man

[@davidjones6643]

Love your videos! Thanks for all the tips to help me catch some waves.

[@clayisland]

Thanks, glad to help!

[@swlucas]

I have been searching for an explanation as clear and helpful as this for a while. Thank you! You have another subscriber and a Patreon supporter. I hope to run into you at Paddlefest 2018.

[@clayisland]

Awesome! Super stoked and thanks so much! I'll be at Paddlefest and hope to see you there.

[@grahamanddianedevey1688]

Very cool and helpful video.

[@damandany2k]

Awesome video. I just got a L41 SimSup ST and had the same issue as you did. If I didn't stand on the rail when I tried to turn, I would come right off the board. Once I learned that everything started to click and the board became much more maneuverable. I really enjoyed the detail you went into!

[@clayisland]

Dana Richardson Thanks a bunch, good to hear we had the same experience. You're welcome and I appreciate hearing your feedback.

[@ralphvannijnatten6378]

I've been sorting is out on mij own but this is going to help allot ! Thanks a million !

[@clayisland]

Sweet! You're welcome, and thanks!

[@Bigd0gg]

Awesome sup tech tutorial!

[@chrisgraham1287]

Thanks for the vid. Pumped to go out and analyse my own stance in the morning :)

[@grahamjohn5385]

Ok just watched again and the footwork is definitely correct but the huge omission here to all of the turns is not using the paddle. Being a SUP'er for a good ten years and still learning but I've got a pretty good idea by now!. Watch the pros surfing and you will see that the paddle provides a pivot point to ALL turns. Watch where they place the paddle for cut back and of the tops. I call it pole dancing!! Stick the paddle in and pull back plus the footwork tips and bam!! The trick is where to place the paddle for each turn. My favorite hate is watching people placing the paddle over the back of the wave for a cut back, you can only turn the board 90 degrees. Watch these turns at the given time in the video to back up my point and a break down of whats really going on. Bottom turn forehand at 1:07, top turn forehand 1:11, fore hand cut back (my favorite hate!)wrong paddle placement and positioning at 1:23 the paddle should be on the other side of the board and in front of him, correct position at 4:06 look at the difference in the turn, 4:23 opposite side of board for forehand snap tighter in the pocket same for a forehand reo. At 4:11 its not a pivot around the heal but a pivot around the paddle! this guy does it so well!! When you get it right the board will always rebound of the foam ball. When this guy is off balance its the paddle again that allows the surfer to right him self. See the bend in the shaft and you will get and idea how much force he is exerting in it. Ill leave the rest of the observations to you guys but trust me get that paddle in the water on turns and pull and push to get that rotation point!!

[@johnphillips4733]

great tips. thanks. I was looking at footage of my self from last night and noticed I keep my feet very central and struggle to turn. will be trying this next time.

[@pierrevanzyl6669]

Great advice. Very well explained

[@clayisland]

Thanks!

[@registrydomain1]

You can trim from the nose on a big board, with more small fins instead of big centers. Watch Laird Hamilton on a 10'6" SUP. He has a thruster setup with 3.5" fins and he is surfing head high waves on the front and middle.

[@jeffreyleeseale317]

I love your videos! Very honest and informative, but I LOVE the camera angle from your board the most. Please, keep churning them out.

[@clayisland]

Thank you, Glad to hear it, and I will keep filming.

[@LivingOverseasTV]

Very helpful! I just subscribed. I'm curious about how you had your camera mounted? it is a great angle.

[@clayisland]

clayisland.com/building-with-bamboo/

[@grantconnelly401]

Great Tips! Super helpful!!!

[@clayisland]

Grant Connelly Thanks! Awesome to hear.

[@Danoelm]

Thank you so much! Great vid!

[@clayisland]

Thanks and you're welcome!

[@adrianvanvarik2352]

Thanks for sharing dude, good illustration.

[@clayisland]

Adrian van Varik You're welcome and thanks

[@Mazza2809]

Great video as usual Clay! Cheers!

[@clayisland]

Thanks so much!

[@davidhuntington6199]

Great videos! Thank you so much. Helping me learn. I just bought a 10'6" x 32 NSP

[@clayisland]

David Huntington Awesome! You're welcome.

[@chasingwaves11]

Awesome man !! I’m a short board rider and convinced my self to buy a SUP this summer I’ve been out on it like 10 times . Today was the first day back on it in Months ! .. conditions was perfect Glassy and chest high .. but I feel you on getting used to the SUP feel lol 😂 same here I feel like a Kook some times so used to shredding hard on the waves and with this big heavy 9’6 I feel like I’m riding a limo lol 😂 definitely will change the fin setup for the next time not liking how sluggish the turns are .. I’m still working on mastering this paddle thing in my hand lol I’m not very good with it lol I’m 5’7 and I have the paddle set at 5’10 any longer it feels klunckie haha 😆 ..

[@DoctorShrink]

I think a lot depends on the board size. On my 10' 6" x 30" there is no way on god's earth that board will turn without planting the rear foot back over the fins. On smaller board the rear foot is already over the fins or very close to it. Hence little if any rear foot movement is needed. Without the fins having weight on them I doubt that rails can do it alone especially on big boards. Hence people fall off when they just try to lean and use rail when there is little weight on the fins. Remember, the fins are basically a rear pivot for the nose to turn and more weight on them provides a better moment of leverage. Take a ruler, push it sideways from the midpoint. It will just slide sideways and if the ruler was a board then the rail would dig and you would fall. Now hold the rear of the ruler with a thumb on the end and then push sideways. The front of the ruler will rotate. When you ride your smaller board all that is happening is that because of the board's shorter balance point, your weight is already a lot greater on the fins than on a larger board and hence when you have some finesse in leaning on the rails you won't fall off as often since the rear of the board is pivoting due to the better traction of the fins with weight on them. I have an 11' 6" and NO amount of rail will budge the nose. I plant the rear foot over the fins and lean and that nose is like an oil tanker coming round. Your point about moving both feet to same side of the stringer for a right hand turn being more effective will only work on a shorter board where the weight distribution means the fins already have weight on them and rails can be effective. But on a really short board, almost no foot movement is needed since the fins have plenty of weight/traction and all that is needed to turn is to lean for rail traction to make the fin pivot. And because the nose is so short the turn is mush faster. Try holding your arm straight out and rotate your whole body. Now hold your hand straight out at the distance of your wrist and rotate you body. WAAAAAAAAY faster turn. Basic physics.

[@clayisland]

DoctorShrink I am hearing a lot of thought and detail went into this post.

[@brettfish8773]

DoctorShrink. Dude...spot on. In learning sup I fell a lot trying to make turns like Clay did in this video and it was almost always b/c I didn't get back far enough on the board. At the end of my rides I'd look down and I could have moved back another foot! Then a buddy of mine, who knows what he's doing, used the term 'fin drive' and it made total sense to me. I started thinking in terms of driving those fins down and through the turns instead of carving with the rail. Nice job with that video Clay!

[@keiserrg]

@clayisland: Always love your videos and analysis, thank you! @DoctorShrink: Definitely correct. Most Pros are riding 7'6" or smaller (Zane rides a 7'2" x 24" SUP!) and their front foot is almost always planted down the centerline like short board surfing.

[@max9314]

Great. Really interesting video!!! Thanks

[@clayisland]

Massimiliano Benedetti Thanks and you're welcome.

[@TrinidadRetreats]

Looking good we surfed together last couple years at the paddle fest ...Great videos! Reid Kitchen

[@clayisland]

Trinidad Retreats Thanks Reid, good to hear from you!

[@TrinidadRetreats]

see you at the contest this March!

[@clayisland]

Trinidad Retreats Yes, looking forward to it.

[@michaellenane7636]

Cool video man! Spot on advice. Really enjoyable to watch :)

[@clayisland]

Thanks!

[@michaelbissett4135]

What a great video clayisland! What kind of vest are you wearing at the 7:00 and 9:00 mark? On bigger days where I'm paddling out much further I'd like to have some kind of impact vest or extra flotation if I take a bad wipe out or get caught inside. Thanks man and you got a new subscriber now!

[@clayisland]

Right on! That's a Patagonia Impact Vest.

[@Torsade101]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@richardtaylor8822]

great analysis

[@clayisland]

Richard Taylor Thanks

[@roykuehn7321]

Great explanation- slo mo is key!

[@clayisland]

Roy Kuehn Thanks, yes I love slo mo!

[@kainoaalmeida4238]

Thanks!!! From Kailua Hawaii. Well done!

[@clayisland]

Mahalo!

[@micasett1210]

Really like all your videos and your honest and chilled commentary that’s easy to relate to. Thanks very much for posting. I ride an iSUP and have realised how crucial it is to place the feet right to be able to engage a rail. Out of interest where is Clay Island? Looks really nice, much better waves than the UK.

[@clayisland]

micasett1210 Thanks and you're welcome! I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, this time of year we often get epic conditions.

[@michaelgrossmann4470]

Thanks for the great video from a SUP beginner. SUP-SCRIPED the channel :-)

[@javirivera3533]

Nice video, nice information, you are very clear explaning thanks for that bro, nice waves for everybuddy🤙

[@clayisland]

Javi Rivera Thanks Bro!

[@MadeinPortugal]

Thanks, great vid

[@phillipmurray1724]

cool video!

[@Hal-Life]

I really like your video and especially the foot placement and the dotted line examples. What I don't see in most surf vids is HOW far back most advanced surfers back foot is when execution radical turns.... The videos are usually obscured by the water spray . But I have noticed that most are with the back foot almost on the tail behind the thruster fins and not centered over the thruster fins.Even more so for the longer the board (slower to turn).Thanks for your insight I am 64 yrs and 215# on a stepped rail 8'6" 32" wide 134 liter custom board. I actually saw at the end of your video it looked like you had a vest on ? I need some insurance out in the water these days. Have you a recommendation on a low profile inflatable rash guard or vest?

[@clayisland]

Thanks! I am reluctant to rely on an inflatable. I wear the patagonia impact vest over my wetsuit, on bigger days I have a Rockstar branded vest that fit well under my suit.

[@nemuburro]

Sick channel dude!!!!

[@clayisland]

James McOwen Thanks!

[@oscarbasc9862]

Nice video!

[@clayisland]

Oscar_bass 34 Thanks!

[@supsoulportugal2530]

Great work! Keep it up!

[@clayisland]

Sup Soul Thanks and I'll do my best.

[@bjywong]

This is awesome. More vids like this one (e.g.technique)!

[@clayisland]

Thanks! Working on more...

[@jbonner9827]

Great video and I like how you filmed it. How long is the extension on that camera?

[@clayisland]

Thanks, about 2-3 feet, I use several different lengths.

[@robertzeeland]

4:01 the pro’s are kinda doing the same thing. No sir. Uhh, you are not working with your paddle to turn. Your approach is ‘blasé’ always looking for an avenue to blame gear or conditions, then wondering why others are pulling it off.

[@clayisland]

@@robertzeeland Ouch

[@jond1325]

Excellent. I’ve got a VESL 11’6” SUP single fin. I’m new to SUP. Any advice for taking this out on the waves for SUP surfing? Thanks 🙏

[@clayisland]

For me the bigger the board the more I seek out small soft waves, I had a 12 footer and in weak knee high waves it was a blast. Years later when I had more skills I took another 12 ft into fast shoulder high waves, that was exciting.

[@Jason-fs9pz]

Question for you, I'm on a 9'5 x 33 and I'm catching rides no problem for a year now. If I want to go narrower for a faster sup what would be a perfect dim...I'm an intermediate rider who likes to go fast down the line but not cutbacks due to knee surgeries.

[@clayisland]

Hi, I found shape and rocker to change down the line speed. The simsup shapes feel faster down the line even at wider widths.

[@compkiler]

Hi firstly a great video ;-) Question though, does it matter then whats fin set up you use for sup surfing? Ie. Thruster? etc

[@clayisland]

Hi, most of the boards I'm riding are quads, the 808 board is a 2+1 fin setup. I have found that what matters most is tail width, in general a wider tail needs more footwork and a narrower pulled in tail needs less foot movement to turn.

[@stevedale887]

great tips, thanks!

[@clayisland]

steve dale You're welcome!

[@angiebmtbnz]

Very nice, mate! Greetings from NZ :)

[@clayisland]

Angela Bro Thanks! Great to from you. I have a friend visiting NZ and he posts a lot of photos, looks so amazing.

[@angiebmtbnz]

It´s a lovely funky spot, surfing is sweet, SUP as well. If you ever come around, let me know ;)

[@clayisland]

Sounds wonderful, I surely will.

[@goneby30]

Nice tip bro!

[@clayisland]

Foof Valve Thanks!

[@andreluisiasimoura]

really! great tips!

[@clayisland]

André Iasi Moura Thanks!

[@mitchellshallcross1369]

Great vid clayisland. really enjoyed the camera angle of yourself learning and trying out the new moves. Love to know how you managed to do this? Just stopped moving me feet more and starting to notice the different and the extra control. Still finding it difficult heel side tho if you have got and extra points to work on?

[@clayisland]

Mitchell Shallcross Awesome, thanks! Here is the camera mount I use: clayisland.com/building-with-bamboo/ What are you struggling with heelside? What are you trying to do?

[@johnm1316]

Clay you need to watch Keahi de Aboitez a kiter but also JP SUP rider, watch jis back foot on top turns etc. I learnt this from watching too. Love the vids and the stoke

[@clayisland]

John M Thanks I'll check this out.

[@AVEKCAHDP]

Cool 👍

[@halflifeFoilandSki]

Great video. good tip -- what did you use to film it? Looks like go pro but higher off the front of the board.

[@clayisland]

clayisland.com/how-to-build-with-bamboo/ I make my own mounts

[@jamesmuniz4646]

Cool video and a great cause to help be good stewards of mother earth.

[@clayisland]

James Muniz Thanks

[@JUANCARLOSLAREZ]

Muy buen video!! Solo una cosa. Hay que tener en cuenta que los pro llevan tablas pequeñas en las que hacer las maniobras es mucho más fácil

[@davidstewart9982]

Yup, both feet on the rail! Tear it up!

[@seb9187]

Sadly in the UK at the moment with the waves we get you can either do one manuver or just go across the face for a while

[@clayisland]

Nirvana Sup I hope you get some good waves soon.

[@DrAlejandroMoreiraGrecco]

Great advice!!!!

[@clayisland]

Thanks!

[@patriciamariamendez]

Excelente video! Muchas gracias!

[@clayisland]

Patricia Mendez Gracias y de nada!

[@joemorgan5276]

Good video. Learn to use the paddle more and you can transition even quicker with more stability. Check out Berndt's paddle work in your video. Peace and stoke.

[@clayisland]

Joe Morgan Thanks and good advice.

[@thesidewalksaint6236]

Change my game bro!

[@chaseparker9]

whoooo!!

[@thodoriskanellos3458]

is any of the boards youre using inflatable? (i only have an inflatable and want to know whats possible)

[@clayisland]

@@thodoriskanellos3458 I find inflatables really unstable and the soft round rails make them very difficult to turn.

[@thomasrose1399]

how did you get this camera angle?

[@clayisland]

Thomas Rose Hi, I make my own bamboo camera mounts: clayisland.com/building-with-bamboo

[@thomasrose1399]

clayisland thanks man I will check them out

[@ren1121]

Quite a new SUPer here! Is this something that becomes more intuitive as you learn? Great vid :)

[@clayisland]

Ren Welcome! For me how I move my feet is an intuitive feeling, I'm not thinking my way through it. I find it easier to experiment in small softer low consequence waves, move my feet around and see how it feels.

[@AlexMauerVlogs]

With a low volume board you can surf like you are on a shortboard. They aren’t as wide and they are short. I surf a 7’0” that is super low volume. You are on some high volume SUPS. Go under 100 liters.

[@Jason-fs9pz]

How tall are you and weight

[@MarcHalikas_surfercook]

Crabwalk is key!

[@clayisland]

Marc Halikas Agreed!

[@Jpgundarun]

The Titanic would have missed the iceberg if all the passengers ran to the port side, who would have thought. LOL.

[@DavidG-mp8kt]

always moving feet. got to

[@seb9187]

I need to stop digging my rail!!

[@Killemgrillem00]

The pro flipping the paddle around, Jabbing it in the wave, hacking down the line, slapping at the wave-powered up while going down the line and thinking you're going to gain speed is showmanship BS.. Surf more sweep less. Paddle great for a backside layback and quick recoveries and the most important, getting you in... thats about it..Or do you score more points at a contest for flailing with the paddle..I bet thats it.

[@helpredcrossfundraising5488]

My name is Robin Feiyu WG2 Water Resistant. I hope you donate to the bike club for the environment in Bangkok at the very first thank you.

[@galactock]

Kitesurf ;-)