SET UP DRILL

To teach surfers the importance of creating speed on a wave before performing their manoeuvres.

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.

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 that once they have caught a wave to “race” the first section before turning vertically down the face to perform their 1st bottom turn, followed by their first high speed manoeuvre off the top of the wave.

This drill is particularly well suited for small wave surfing where a surfer has to create their own speed.

Get the speed first through the “racing” approach, then use that speed to perform a quality first move.

To think of it another way - after creating speed across the top of the wave, turn that horizontal speed into vertical speed as soon as possible.