TURNING

Standing up and going straight is fun don't get me wrong, but things start to get a whole lot more exciting when you can start going along the wave in different directions - left and right.

So that's what we're going to be focusing on here.

WHY IS TURNING IMPORTANT?

Being able to turn on a wave in the direction you want will help you to navigate to the areas of the wave you want to surf, putting you in full control.

And as you progress, this turning will help you to ride across green waves too (which is when things start to get real fun! more on that a little later).

THE MECHANICS OF TURNING A SURFBOARD

For a surfboard to turn, it needs something to pivot from in order to do so.

And that's where the surfboard fins come in.

The surfboard fins act similar to a rudder on a boat, sticking into the wave helping you to pivot left and right.

But that's not all...

On a surfboard we also utilise the rails (especially the back third of the board) to help grip into the wave and change direction too.

By simply adjusting your weight distribution over the board - from the balls of your feet to your heels - you're able to dictate, and control the direction that you want to travel in.

HOW TO TURN: FOREHAND

Pop top your feet and look in the direction of where you want to go.
Add weight to the balls of your feet and your toes.
Close your shoulders off by moving your leading arm over to your toe-side rail.

HOW TO TURN: BACKHAND

Pop top your feet and look in the direction of where you want to go.
Add weight to your heels.
Open your shoulders by moving your leading arm over to your heel-side rail.

WRAPPING IT UP

Turning might feel a little foreign at first as you get used to the sensation of transitioning your weight to your toes and to your heels, but once you connect the dots things will start to take shape quickly.

You might find it easier to go one way or the other - forehand or backhand - but make sure to practice going in both directions to build up a solid foundation as we move through the course.

GO LEFT, GO RIGHT

YOU MUST BE LOGGED IN TO ACCESS THIS COURSE

BEGINNER

THE START OF SOMETHING NEW...

GOTTA HAVE POP!

SPEED

TURNING

THE SUBTLE ART OF NEGOTIATING WAVES

PADDLING

BOARD DISMOUNT

BOARD MANAGEMENT

CATCHING WHITEWATER WAVES

NEXT STEPS...