Gaining speed backside(short board)

Discussion in 'Mid Atlantic' started by SearchForShacks, Apr 19, 2009.

  1. SearchForShacks

    SearchForShacks Well-Known Member

    248
    Jan 1, 2009
    whats the best way to gain speed backside?.. and any tips on bottom turns would be appreciated as well
     
  2. Shadow Surfer

    Shadow Surfer Well-Known Member

    49
    Mar 11, 2007

  3. SearchForShacks

    SearchForShacks Well-Known Member

    248
    Jan 1, 2009
    i mean like pump or what? i just always seem to get to low or kick out whenever i try to pump
     
  4. GnarActually

    GnarActually Well-Known Member

    931
    Sep 30, 2007
    this is going to be hard to explain. but i had the same problem but figured it out. i know i lost all of my speed when i stood up going backside, so i started taking a more horizontal approach then i stood up which helped my speed in the beginning. i then go to the bottom of the wave, and if i see a section i want to hit down the line, i bring my whole body to the top of the wave then push down to the bottom untill i get the speed i want. ( i do it differently then going front side, and i probably sound stupid trying to explain this). for my bottom turn going back side i tend to go more vertical, but its important to not want to long to do your hit or you get off the wave. when on the wave from the bottom, put all pressure on your back foot and turn the hips,show some steez, fully rotate, and *turn your inside shoulder and open up to the wave*. i tried. hopefully you get something from me rambling on.
     
  5. SearchForShacks

    SearchForShacks Well-Known Member

    248
    Jan 1, 2009
    thanks that helped a little bit.. im pretty good frontside .. i think that bit about opening up to the wave will help
     
  6. tbing

    tbing Well-Known Member

    595
    May 27, 2008
    Just practice the same stuff you do frontside. Its the same idea. Us telling you how to do it won't help at all. Only way to get better is with practice.
     
  7. SearchForShacks

    SearchForShacks Well-Known Member

    248
    Jan 1, 2009
    yea i know.. just need more waves to be able to..
     
  8. Northender

    Northender Guest

  9. jGray

    jGray Member

    20
    Sep 14, 2008
    I can only surf backside cause all i ever surf is rights. You have to learn to Pump backside and have a good bottom turn. You need a good bottom to produce.
     
  10. aka pumpmaster

    aka pumpmaster Well-Known Member

    Apr 30, 2008
    I've found that for most conditions around our area, a bottom turn is a speed killer so I would avoid them unless it's big. most guys do what they see in vids and whatnot and try to emulate that but our waves are so much smaller.
     
  11. SearchForShacks

    SearchForShacks Well-Known Member

    248
    Jan 1, 2009
    yea i relize its speed killer but its a nessisity for big manuvers off the top right?
     
  12. tbing

    tbing Well-Known Member

    595
    May 27, 2008
    If you can do it right, its necessary, otherwise its just a waste. The idea of it, is to get your momentum moving downwards to generate speed with gravity, then when you push hard, the angular velocity will give you speed to turn back up the wave and crank it off the lip. If you can't get the turn right, you lose all your speed. If you do it right, you can gain speed
     
  13. aka pumpmaster

    aka pumpmaster Well-Known Member

    Apr 30, 2008
    should clarify...i meant a bottom turn on the drop. too many people try to crank a big bottom turn on the drop and around here it just doesn't work in most conditions. now, after pumping a ton to get some speed the turn is the set up for alot of stuff.
     
  14. BonerSurfs

    BonerSurfs Well-Known Member

    504
    Apr 14, 2007
    Backside surfing is much more vertical than front side surfing, and you lead with your shoulder. Enough said.
     
  15. Shakagrom

    Shakagrom Well-Known Member

    589
    Aug 22, 2008
    and when pumping don't pump with a split-legged stance wayyyy at the tail of your board. Aside from not gaining any speed, you'll look ridiculous for trying so hard and not getting anywhere.

    And when surfing backside, (to gain speed) always face your shoulders forward. square up- more athletic- easier to maneuver= more speed. and like everyone said, when turning, lead with your shoulder. and when you do a reentry off the top lean forward a little on the drop to gain speed... always be moving around on your board, there's a reason you're feet aren't strapped in place.
     
  16. wbsurfer

    wbsurfer Well-Known Member

    Mar 30, 2008
    my big thing is when surfing backside i use my hand or feet? the reason for this is i can get the turns going frontside but i just cant get them going backside.
     
  17. superbust

    superbust Well-Known Member

    659
    Nov 2, 2008
    yea just think about how you pump frontside. lift up the nose and bring it up the wave a little a pump back down, its the same backside but you move your foot the other way. practice is the best solution though
     
  18. wbsurfer

    wbsurfer Well-Known Member

    Mar 30, 2008
    so do i either use my foot or hand to guid me backside?