FUNCTIONAL LENGTH DRILL


AIM:

To teach surfers the importance of being able to link from the peak to shore break. This skill maximises the manoeuvre potential of the waves ridden.


PREPARATION: 

Ask the surfers to go for a light jog on the beach followed by stretching exercises.

Clarify with them the effort expected by the coach and explain the benefits of the training to their surfing performances.


DRILL:

  • Send the surfers out into the surf for 20 minutes or for a specific number of waves (between 3-6, depending on the conditions). 
  • Ask the surfers to ride the waves they catch for the full functional length available.

Points are awarded:

  • 3 points - for riding from the back peak to the shore break successfully 
  • 2 points - greater than half the length of the possible ride but didn’t finish successfully
  • 1 point - less than half the length of the possible ride

NOTES TO THE COACH

Performing every manoeuvre that is possible on the waves surfers catch is an extremely important skill for competition surfers.

Successful surfers habitually take off on the peak and finish their waves in the shore break.

This attitude of riding a wave for its full functional length should become a part of a surfers routine, in competition and free surfing performances.

Many surfers get into a bad habit of only riding good waves for their full length, kicking-out early when they catch a poor wave.

Surfers should also practise riding poor waves as well as possible. “If the surfer thinks a wave is worth paddling for and catching, then they should ride it for its full functional length”.

Having this attitude will ultimately teach competitive surfers how to turn poor waves into “scoring waves”.

 Mark lesson complete