The secret to CARVING TURNS I wish I knew long ago

[@stevitos]

For me the key has always been to come off the bottom and then just SSSSHWAAA into a WABAAASSSH!!

[@LongboardSessions]

haha!

[@telldamien]

1st video I have seen of yours, and I will be watching more! I have been surfing LB & SB for 42 years. The past 5 years I have been the local high school team coach. Riding parallel will take style and turns a lot further! I noticed your back foot does not open as much as your shoulders, get those toes going forward and your turns will come alive! The best part about parallel surfing is your a 1/2 click away from switch stance... Otherwise big improvement on your turns, and great advice you are giving on this vid!

[@LongboardSessions]

oh interesting I never thought of that! So close to switch.. yet so far away haha

[@joeroberts4408]

Well done…I agree. I would add that it takes a particular wave, or “section of” a wave, to swing a turn in exactly that way. These longboards wanna go straight. It’s up to the surfer to tickle, pet, or massage her into and out of each turn. When you treat her right it’s a beautiful thing.

[@LongboardSessions]

Very well said. If you watch that full video of cj nelson, he's not doing every turn this way. Certain sections call for different types of turns. Figuring out which ones is the part that takes some experience I imagine haha

[@fghkufzc9833]

As i move my back foot to the back, my foot often slipped off the board. Also, when I press my back foot, the board will stop moving , any advice i could improve ? Is it the foot placement? Or the weight distribution?

[@LongboardSessions]

Slipping could be from old wax, so maybe replace it and put a decent amount on the tail. Stepping on the tail WILL slow you down, so it should be reserved for turning and stalling. All turns slow you down for the most part.

[@twidmer]

I have a cj neo classic in 10 ft, and I use a big ol rudder heritage. Tail rocker, pin tail shape and sharp edges in the back make it very able to turn. Amazing board.

[@LongboardSessions]

Oh nice! I'll have to check that one out. Sounds like a board Jai Billy Lee would like.. he talked alot about hard edged tails and how well they turn.

[@jackd6184]

Nice! What I noticed is that weighting the back foot close to the fin box allows you to pivot your longboard. This pivoting motion keeps the board's nose up and out of the water allowing that tight pivot like turn. Dropping your shoulder as you indicated helps you open your hips, as your body rotates and commits to the turn. But you need speed! I watch Joel Tudor carve out beautiful turns on his longboard. But I notice he gets to the top of the wave and then accelerates down it as he pivots and carves. All easier said then done but it is all part of becoming a better surfer. Keep up the great video's and insights. Cheers

[@LongboardSessions]

Yes well said! Slamming on the tail close to the fin box is the way to go, but 100% about speed needed for that 'lean'. We really gotta wipe out a lot to find the line haha

[@TheUltimateWriterNZ]

Yeh Joel keeps a high line and as you say full send commitment 💪

[@johnb2712]

I think I would recognize the big ass hotel in spring lake from space

[@LongboardSessions]

lol!

[@dudeleboski2692]

Remember you are trying to do West Coast turns on East Coast waves. Don’t be so hard on yourself .

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks bro.. that's nice to hear lol. So discouraging sometimes!

[@kellysunseri-adams8550]

Those were frontside not backside cutbacks holmes

[@LongboardSessions]

yes! lol

[@flatwavemike1269]

One thing that you’re innocently leaving out is that CJ is riding an involvement style log that he calls the Apex. It turns on a dime. CJ is one of my best friends and I am fortunate enough to have his friendship and inadvertent master teaching. You can get some good turns on your traditional log. But more pivot turns than the type of turns that CJ is getting out of that board in his video. I hope that helps.

[@LongboardSessions]

Ah yes very helpful and interesting! Yea I suspect some of his turns would be very tough on my board. Very nice to have a friend / teacher like that !

[@geoffhenson792]

Thank you for another awesome video. I'll be heading out shortly 430am here in Aus and giving that drop knee style turn a try. Cheers

[@LWLHP]

Hi Geoff, couldnt agree more when I saw this video it was another ahha for me. Should be good surf on the goldie this morning enjoy

[@LongboardSessions]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes

[@TheUltimateWriterNZ]

IMO they’re both DKTs - usually the knee will end up getting bent without you needing to really try 💪

[@LongboardSessions]

Yea true. It does bend a bit.. but those guys who get their knee nearly on the board lol.. iv'e never done that yet

[@boltup5566]

I think foot placement is important too. I used to try this from the middle of the board and bogged rail every time. I'll bet CJ's foot is right by the tail block.

[@LongboardSessions]

100%. And I bet it's also on one side of the stringer. So far back yet also close to the rail

[@boltup5566]

@@LongboardSessions Yes! That one side of the stringer, far back by the fin is like a button. When you press it, it all makes sense and the board does what you want.

[@thestow35]

Love your content and approach And humility in sharing your learnings

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks so much!

[@EmilyLongboards]

Cj's the legend! Lives right down the street from me and still surfs like a pro. Anyway great video, awesome break tru. I'll have to try this next sesh.

[@LongboardSessions]

oh that's awesome! Yea he's unbelievable for sure

[@haemojz2341]

You are flexing at your hips and hunching over with your upper body. Also not facing forward enough when initiating the turns. Btw thoroughly enjoyed watching your progression over the year. Keep it up!

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks so much! Yes your 100% correct on your points. A more upright posture helped a bunch when I went out last evening

[@middleagedshred]

That backfoot position must hinder balance tho and prevent driving the back foot heel into the turn..max stylee point tho..)

[@LongboardSessions]

It doesn't seem to hinder balance, but I totally get why you would say that. On paper it seems like it would, but if done correctly it's very stable

[@nlotze4683]

If you have to search for the feel generally it never comes. Your reaching a skill level with contact and speed that now a bit of instinct to rip comes in to play. I believe over half of all long board riders can't ever get a fluid falling shoulder. I am one. If you take another step back with both feet on the rise gently lift the nose first then turn . This is the other way to turn a board with torque . Your upper body gives lots of freedom for Persol expression I've learnt quite a bit and have shared it to few good Aussie riders Live your work the approach just needed someone with a bit of Stoke skill and digital savviness.

[@LongboardSessions]

I suppose there does come a time when natural skill and creativity come into play. That's what seperates the pros from the amateurs. Everyone will arrive at different places in different ways as well. The good news is that it's all FUN! haha. Thanks for the kind words

[@timotheos4327]

Grabbing rail will help with commitment

[@LongboardSessions]

Iv'e seen some of those backside turns where they grab rail lol.. nuts. Iv'e only grabbed rail when it comes to late backside takeoffs

[@timotheos4327]

@@LongboardSessions Ive found that it has helped me get a better feel for the board and because you get lower can push the turn harder and harder. Then when not holding the rail and turning it doesn't feel as crazy to push it compared to the grab rail fun times. This is what has helped me :-) Loving your videos and watching your journey 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@legendphos8765]

I would recommend looking into OMBE surf's content. While they tend to focus on shortboards the same body movements are important across the board, although sometimes implemented in different style... What they talk about a lot is rotating the hand on the shoulder on the inside of the turn out so as to open up your shoulder allowing your shoulders in general to pivot and your hips then follow etc. Just dropping the shoulder might add to balance issues, but dropping and rotating your shoulder into the turn and away from you makes it tremendously easier.

[@LongboardSessions]

Yes agreed! I think the shoulder drop combined rotating the hand would be perfect. The idea behind the should drop is to open up the hips which are the real hero of the story hehe

[@emisurfchannel2280]

Love the longboard classic stile.

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks!!

[@charlynnchock678]

Hey it all takes time,, that's what I love about longboarding, style proficiency grows as you learn the mood of the ocean especially at your break., And it others as well.. Love to watch these videos

[@LongboardSessions]

Well said. Surfing doesn't come easy that's for sure lol

[@adamfrankel358]

Opening up your shoulder is correct, but I think more about my trailing hand to drive the turn - like steering a wheel in a car.

[@LongboardSessions]

Yes that's a good point. For me, some of the turns I thought about the shoulder, others I thought about the hand. The hand might be the way to go

[@MSDATHKDAN]

Another epic video, as usual 😊

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks Dan!

[@thomaskrebs8110]

Maybe you should buy a surfskate and watch Shane Lai tutorials. There will be a huge "AHA" when you master the infinty loop. Which, unfortunately, is very hard to learn.

[@LongboardSessions]

I really do need to get a surf skate... or build one. Can't believe I havent done that yet lol

[@thomaskrebs8110]

​@@LongboardSessions I have two. A Carver, which I recommend for you and a Yow which feels compared to the carver very loose. Five weeks ago I fell backwards with the Yow and strained my left wrist. I still cannot put 100% of my weight on the wirst. The problem with learning to carve with a surfskate is that you have to lean over the rail and at the same time you have to put a lot of weight on the back foot. When you go over the limit you will likely fall backwards. Please wear protection for wrist's, elbow's and knee's. I have already bought some. (too late) The infinity loop looks pretty easy to learn, but it isn't because the whole body is involved and it is a lot of timing required. Like in the golf swing. I play pretty good golf and I know when something is not easy at all. Go with Shane Lai. He has a lot of good drills and you will learn a lot on the surfskate which helps to improve your carving on a surfboard. Even when carving on a longboard is not so radical.

[@billytuchscher]

Great observation! ...I'm implementing pronto! (CJ is a gem!)

[@LongboardSessions]

Have you done many drop knee turns? It's really something I gotta put some effort into

[@kronk5265]

Legend! Looks awesome already 🔥

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks!!

[@offshoretomorrow3346]

I always move my back foot toward the rail. Just me?

[@adamfrankel358]

Yes

[@stevitos]

No

[@LongboardSessions]

Yep, i favor the rail on the side i'm turning... atleast I try to haha

[@ShaneOConnorRec]

another way to think about it is rail engagement. CJ is sinking his rail in the back 18 inches and using that as a pivot point, instead of turning with the fin as the pivot point. This also allows for bigger upright fins to be used with sweeping cutbacks.

[@LongboardSessions]

Great idea! I'll have to give that 'thought' a try. Sometimes approaching things from a different thought process can change everything

[@ShaneOConnorRec]

@@LongboardSessions agree

[@SoloC852]

cross train with a shortboard, and you will easily understand

[@LongboardSessions]

Yea same type of form as a big short board cut back.

[@cornishrider]

Thanks for the tip I'll try it next time I'm out!

[@LongboardSessions]

you got it! Do it!

[@cornishrider]

@@LongboardSessions I can confirm it works! Many thanks😊

curious what size are these waves?

[@LongboardSessions]

I honestly have no idea how people judge sizes of waves. I'd say a 3-4' face?

I meant just what the forecast said

[@leonid123ful]

Good work man

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks!!

[@ansborromeo7470]

nice details!

[@LongboardSessions]

Thanks!!

[@ansborromeo7470]

@@LongboardSessions found this when surfskating my carver C7. the lower the arm is the tighter the turn. I think it engages the rail more. Well that's for shorter boards as I mainly ride a 6'6 now. But tuning in to your channel for when I do get back on the log and progress my longboard riding.