How to Take the First Turn While Surfing

Video Transcript

"Hi! This is Pat Weber with the San Diego Surfing Academy for expertvillage.com. In this clip we are going to talk about the takeoff. A takeoff is when you've paddled fast enough, hard enough, and timed it right to catch a wave just before it breaks. You are going to feel lift; you are going to feel the wave underneath you. Not quite time to stand up; a couple more of strong strokes and you are going to enter the wave. As you get that momentum dropping into the wave, you are going to snap to your feet, you're going to use that pop up technique that we showed you. On your feet, you take the drop and use that momentum to carve your first turn. If you are going to be on your toes, that is called a frontside bottom turn . If you are going to be on your heels, that is a back side bottom turn. Take off sets the stage for the rest of the ride. Nice, strong, smooth strokes. One motion to the feet, smooth take off. "