I think to better summarize this.... basically turn your head to where you want to go and your upper body will follow creating the torque through your hips needed on the turn.
Was reading through all the posts, and was going to recommend a Carver for those flat spells. Picked one up last summer, and it has definitely made a difference. Been surfing for most my life, but working turns on the Carver has really translated well into the water. Really helps with the repetition of upper body positioning and generating power from your back leg.
Yeah i'm almost certain i'm going to pick one of these up. Do you have to buy online or do you think there is a local shop that carries what I need? I see different versions of them at the shops but they aren't "Carver" boards I don't think.
I picked mine up at a shop in NJ. I have seen a few shops up here that sell them, and, usually, they have a demo board you can try out in the lot. Just make sure it has the right trucks up front before making the purchase.
I am 5'9" and closer to 2 bills, and I have a Monsta which is 31". Some may recommend one of the longer models, but that one works for me. Actually,the 35" Diamond Model looks pretty nice too. Also, I think the front truck you need is the C7.
Sweet, thanks for the feedback, i'll check em out. I think i'm making decent turns, but I bet if I turned on the camera and watched myself i'd think differently, so this will help
SUP, your dimensions are nearly the same as mine. Add an inch and 3-5lbs. The Taylor Knox 31" is what I have and is awesome. I can get my surf stance on it and it's very good repetition even for foot placement on a pop up. Highly recommend getting one of these. Definite game changer. Plus tons of fun every day. Not only riding it but from seeing the looks you get from others, both commoners and skaters. They think you're a mystic with the things the Carver will do that a longboard skateboard will not.
Take your carver to the park and ride the bowl. you can pump and get really back footed on your turns off the banks. Concentrate on the leading arm and extension out of your turns. Getting speed is all about compression and extension, once you've put yourself in the right place on the wave.
first u need to start with a good bottom turn on a proper size wave.iv heard a lot of people saying they cant get their carves down and its not that they are doing something wrong,its the wrong wave.its hard to carve a little 2-3footer which is usually mush.you need a nice clean wall to draw your lines.its all about angling your body,just watch any good surf video and youll see guys going into their bottom turn where half the board is sunk and their face is a ft from the face of the wave.you have to put your bodyweight in it and flow with it.for example,if your going to launch a huge carve off the top,you want your body to be perpendicular to the wave where all your weight it concentrated on the rail and its like your floating.sounds easy in writing but it takes time.you just want to get over your fears of wipeouts,they happen to the best of us.when your pushing it,u might take a few spills but It will pay off in the long run. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ym1IFbLt3M watch this for practice
Thanks man, I skateboarded for many years when I was younger, and still have muscle memory from that, I haven't been on a carver before but I'm willing to bet it'll feel familiar with all the surfing I've done and all the skateboarding from my youth. I have a few skate parks in the area, but most of my neighborhood is flat concrete with sidewalks, so I dunno how often i'll get to use it. I need to scope out a good place to take it that's convenient to get to.
Perfect man, this is what I've been looking for, much appreciated. I "got it" after the 1st 30 seconds of that video, his arm movement is so apparent and deliberate, that is just sticks out off the screen. I haven't been swinging them into the turns enough, it's been most my head and shoulders turning but I think I've been neglecting my arm movement.