Learn to Turn

What an incredible summer for surfing. If you’ve been out there it’s likely that you learned pretty quickly that the key to "surfing" is balance and weight transfer on the board. Most beginners learn on a long-board and figure out how to stand-up. Steering comes next, so let’s focus on how to take advantage of our hips and feet to turn a long-board.

By Alex Kolovyansky
Published: August, 2006

What an incredible summer for surfing. If you’ve been out there it’s likely that you learned pretty quickly that the key to surfing is balance and weight transfer on the board. Most beginners learn on a long-board and figure out how to stand-up. Steering comes next, so let’s focus on how to take advantage of our hips and feet to turn a long-board.

Let’s start with what makes a board turn.

A surf board turns because of the drag or friction being applied to one side or the other. Long boards typically have either a single big fin alone or with 2 smaller side fins. The function of the fin(s) is to keep the board on a straight course and help it from side slipping (imagine a slippery road) down a wave.

The way to counter the fin’s function is to use your hips to shift weight through the feet either forward or backward (imagine rocking back and forth). Shifting weight backward through the back of the board creates resistance and makes it easier to turn the board. Conversely, shifting weight forward reduces resistance and increases the speed of the board. It will take some practice to get used to how much force is required, so experiment.

The next step is actually turning the board. This is accomplished by leaning in the direction you want to turn and putting pressure to that edge of the board. It is easiest to first point the upper body in the direction you would like to go in and then shift your weight through your hips to bring the board to meet the upper your body. These are the basics for turning a surf board and are the key elements for the bottom turn and top turn on a wave.

Mastering basic turns allows you to surf the same wave a lot longer because you can go where the wave is. Those who practice other board sports, such as snowboarding or skateboarding, will find similarities in the weight shifting technique, but even if you haven’t done any board sports before with a little practice, beautiful waves and some sunshine, you’ll be taking long graceful cruises at Pacifica, Ocean Beach, or anywhere in the world.