Surf Simply's Question Time: Forehand Bottom Turns

[@boltup5566]

Yay more bottom turn content. Could you talk about the timing of when you slide the back foot back? Is it as you drop down the wave face? Sometimes there's not enough time on waist high waves.

[@manuelmirabarrigon339]

You go to the root of the matter. This Is a 10 explanation.

[@oussamalaazizi9336]

Harry, thank you so much and all of surfsimply team for this superb series. Always insightful and practical. my question is about tips and guidance to master late take offs and shorebreaks, this is what we have most of the time in our local beach. Thanks once again!

[@Gauffre56]

Man I just wanted to thank you for bringing real theory and even science into your explaination! Too many videos are all about "trust me dude".. But that's probably my science-austism speaking ahah! Anyway, great content, keep it up it's AWESOME!! Thanks

[@nicolekelly8645]

Please keep these vids coming! So so valuable! Ouhhhkay, love it

[@ericlanoue2077]

Thanks for answering my question Harry! I have definitely felt more drive in my forehand bottom turns when I concentrate on reaching my back hand toward my front foot, in lieu of focusing on what my lead arm is doing.

[@turbolad99]

Fantastic content guys, loved the aircraft analogy. Thank you!

[@ogp8589]

Thanks so much for answering my question Harry!! That was a lovely visualization. I've been keeping the ladder in mind on my last few sessions and I feel like it's been making a difference. This just took it to the next level! I've been thinking about the difference in types of carving turns since y'all discussed turning off the rocker on the podcast. I really appreciate the breakdown here as it can be hard to find in-depth explanations of techniques beyond around level 3 (lots of yt videos of pros going "you bottom turn and then you do an air" haha). I have more followup questions but at this point I'm convinced I should try out a 1:1 online coaching session with you guys to do a real deep dive. Cheers!

[@antoniovandias8653]

Would love to know more about cut backs vs roundhouses. Cheers!

[@radfro77]

These are so good. I was wondering....would it ever be possible to zoom out when you are describing things like hand and feet position so we can see?...or even record on a board so we can see (for example, in this video) your stance on the board, and exactly where that trailing hand is compared to your back foot for that bottom turn? That would be super rad for us visual learners as your hand and feet are out of frame. I guess in theory, this is also why you guys offer paid coaching as well, so yes, I am trying to get freebies here. haha. Thanks!

[@MyMmmd]

Can you talk about moving forwards and backwards on a short board? I know you need to go back for turns and forward for speed etc. but tips on how would be useful. Am I supposed to be shuffling, sliding, jumping? Moving one foot at a time? Any tips would be great. Sorry if you've covered this before.

[@corlieputter5124]

So once I get this surfing thing sorted I will also be able to fly a plane then hey... Awesome😜 Learning so much from you. Thank you.

[@vladzhibak678]

Good job Harry! Admire your composure while explaining over and over again how essential it is to keep the leading arm outside the heel rail 👍 I know you’ve answered it once before, but, as we get into more and more detailed explanations, maybe it’s time to revisit it at a new level. My burning question is: HOW TAIL SHAPE AFFECTS TURNING ABILITY, with all other things about equal. I remember you once said “it doesn’t”, and thought I don’t have any scientific data to prove it otherwise, in practice it feels like boards with certain tail shapes are easier to turn, while others hold the line better. There’s a great video on by Noel Salas on his “Surf n Show” channel, where he rides “Shapeshifter Surf” board that has interchangeable tail blocks and gets significantly different results with different tail shapes. His approach is not exactly scientific, however his results fall in line with what I experience with my boards (albeit my boards are not the same, as in Noel’s case, but with somewhat similar outlines (fishes, hulls and hybrids) and very close in sizes and volumes), i.e. rounded pin tails hold the line best, but most difficult to turn, swallow tails are easier to turn, squash tails are even easier and diamond tails are just a bliss when it comes to turning, albeit a little lose in larger surf. Don’t have much experience with rounded tails, so can’t say where they fall, imagine somewhere between a squash and a diamond. Hope one day you find time to share your experience and thoughts on this. Much obliged in advance 🤙

[@mixstagram]

great video! Love your channel

[@SurfSimply]

Thanks for watching Mick :)

[@antoniovandias8653]

In tune with Josh Kerr's video. Bang on.

[@alexandresanchograca569]

Very interesting, Also just my opinion/experience I've found out that when the boards have the widepoint in the back they catch waves easier, just because the waves push you from the back, so the widepoint has more pressure from the wave this way because it's the point of the surfboard that the wave "catches" first, in the widepoint forward I've found that it glides much better when you are up and riding, but the wave catching ability is worse. People also seem to think that you only have weight in the chest, and that your thighs and legs are weightless for some reason. It's really interesting, I think one might watch the Lazor Zap surfboards, and the nuggets from mccoy and see they in fact catch waves earlier than a hypto krypto for example. This is just my anectodal experience from it. ;)

[@jamiemacmahan3417]

I am new to surfing, but I agree with this. I have also read this a few times by people commenting on fish boards - that they paddle well, but they don't always catch waves well because of the volume location and softer rails. I am experimenting as I am learning. I bought 5'9" Machado Seaside with the notion this would be a good transition board - and it paddles pretty well and would provide performance on the wave. I actually got it with a moderate volume (37.3L) as I am learning. It actually feels like it has more volume than what it is. When paddling, I find that it takes a little more effort to paddle/control if not positioned perfectly. You notice the width and volume of the board. When paddling, I would almost prefer to go down in volume. I would also prefer to go down in size when on the wave, as it feels a bit corky and overly stable. However, It is not an easy board to catch waves on, as it requires a bit of more intense paddling for the board to catch waves. For wave catching, I would want to go up in volume, I think, but it would diminish the other aspects that I want to go the other direction in. In my experience so far, I have yet to really notice the glide of the board, as I feel the board is just very wide. I learned from the Seaside and went a bit in the opposite direction, and I bought 6' 2" Hydroshort (a little higher volume - 38.1L), the volume feels less than the Seaside when paddling, probably because it is distributed over a longer length and its significantly more narrow. I was looking for a more narrow board after surfing the Seaside. The Hydroshort paddles easier (ie not fighting the board if positioned incorrectly), the wave catching is night and day compared to the Seaside. Its not an apples to apples comparison, but it is what I have noticed which is agreement. Based this, my next board will be shorter, similar width, and a lower volume.

[@bgalvani]

PURE GOLD

[@GwangBang]

I would like to know more about the mechanics of pumping, and how it helps surfs stay on waves or planing when going slow.

[@hackerski]

Great Video,. Can you describe more how outline and rocker turns work in term of rotational forces ? Also I see elsewhere people talk about the importance of twisting/rotating for carved turns, It seems like you don't agree, is that correct?

[@austingordon4350]

Another point on those deep turns: like you said a big reason that high level surfers can pull off such deep, rail-burying turns is speed. But I would imagine that the biggest reason that speed helps in those turns is the greater centripetal acceleration. Centripetal acceleration will act mostly tangent to the deck of the board, increasing your perceived “weight” and therefore the frictional force keeping you stuck to the board. Try pulling off a deep turn with slow speed; I at least lose traction and fall off way sooner!

[@soulsurfer3102]

Great video.is the round taill more easy to bottom turn in hollow waves? Thx

[@Xavicasillas]

So interesting 🤙 I've been checking some papers about improving surfing performance through aerobic or resistance training (e.g. Physiological aspects of surfboard riding performance - Villanueva & Bishop) but all of them conclude that the recommendations for improving remain anecdotal due to the lack of specific studies/information. What exercises would you include for training sessions out of the water?

[@mmn910]

Thanks for the great content! I have a question I'd love to learn more about. What is it about the bathymetry of certain surf spots that make them ideal in certain swells, powers, wave height, etc. My local beach break is all good fun until things are over shoulder high, then all the waves barely peel at all and just come down in one long line. Why is that? Thanks!

[@pierswoo76]

Ive been surfing for over 12 years but I always learn something from your videos great content as always, glad your not claiming that carver boards will improve your surfing - Im sure they might help slightly but the shame of a 40 year old man pretending he's surfing in his driveway is probably not worth the trade off haha!

[@rkjohns1]

I ride my carver in the parking lot of my work for a few minutes each day. It's no replacement for surfing, but with two young kids, I can only get out for a surf once or twice a week. I definitely think it has improved my surfing. I can practice generating speed and opening my hips and shoulders in front and backside turns, and man is it fun! I'm 46 and I feel no shame whatsoever.

[@ogp8589]

Any advice for backhand bottom turns? Some days they feel really natural and other days I tend to bog them a lot and I’m not sure what I’m actually doing differently with my body. They seem to be easiest going really vertical for a snap or really horizontal for a cutback but anywhere in between is kind of a mystery zone. Just wondering if you have any backhand-specific cues for bottom turns or advice for adapting them to different types of sections. Thanks!

[@willzhu8902]

Does fin size affect catching wave?

[@roiben-ari2375]

Im struggling with my backhand bottom turn, anny tips?

[@mavecostigan8878]

90% of the time I surf the inside because I am too intimidated to put myself in the line up. I guess its more of a social/emotional problem but I would appreciate any advice on how to change my mind set.

[@rafaelrobertohuezobarraza1856]

Hey There thanks for such a nice content and tips for improve our surfing. I was wondering if you can analyze some GoPro video of me surfing and take for feed back. Thanks for all. Have a nice day form El Salvador.

[@SurfSimply]

Hi Tito, we have an email bling coaching program that might be interesting to you: surfsimply.com/online-surf-coaching/ Or Email [e-mail] to book a video analysis session.

[@hermanusbernardusswart4690]

Great video! Very informative. Just a lot of talking and not enough interaction, if I'm honest. Could you maybe incorporate some filmed examples of what to do/what not to do? Would make it easier to implement the correct technique. Verbally explaining how to do a bottom turn can only get you that far. Keep the videos coming! (Especially the bottom turn content!)

[@hrs8073]

Its alittle bit diffcult to understand without video examples...

[@michaelmartina3832]

this video was more than “oouurkay”

[@maxdommers279]

Second

[@BraplexDongers]

Wtf the freak???

[@maxdommers279]

Alex Dommers how did u get my last name

[@BraplexDongers]

Bro were married