| Changing the angle of the surfboard
is the next progression and a major skill that will help you develop
turns while surfing a wave. What we are attempting to achieve is to
change the angle of the surfboard from facing straight towards the
beach to angling and cutting across the wave. |
| Once again build your sandcastle,
pack it down nice and firm and place your surfboard on it as you did
previously when trimming the surfboard. Step on to the board leading
with your back foot, trim the board and hold the correct surfing stance
with the surfboard balanced on the sandcastle. |
| As before start to trim the surfboard,
(to speed it up push your hips forward and place more weight on the
front leg, to slow it down move your hips to the back and place more
weight on the back leg). Remember your surfing style and always keep
your head up, eyes looking forward, back straight and knees bent. |
| To change the angle of the surfboard
you will need to link your upper and lower body and connect with your
surfboard. The following is an explanation of how it can work. |
| While trimming the surfboard,
shift your weight to the back leg, with your arms out rotate the upper
body to your forehand or frontside and at the same time shove your
front hip across in the same direction, bringing the surfboard with
your body and changing the angle it is facing. (The frontside for
a natural foot surfer is to the right and for a goofy foot surfer
is to the left.). |
| The angle of the surfboard should
change approxiamately between 10 and 45 degress. Immediately after
changing the angle you should shift your weight to the front leg as
to accelerate the board and keep surfing the wave. But now you would
be cutting across the wave in a new direction. The more power and
rotation you use with your body will provide a much more responsive
change of angle from the surfboard. |
| It is important to link your
upper and lower body to complete a successful change of angle. If
you only rotate your upper body the surfboard will continue straight
and you will most likley twist yourself off the surfboard. |
| If you only shove your hips, once
again the surfboard will continue straight as the rotation from the
upper body is the leading factor. |
| An important point to remember at this stage
is that we are only trying to achieve one (1) small change of angle
and then continue SURFING. Do not rapidly rotate your body back and
forth and expect the surfboard to respond. |
 |
| During this progressive skill we are still
working in waist deep water and surfing white water (broken) waves.
Remember your wave catching skills, jump or step up cleanly to your
feet and start to trim the surfboard and surf the wave towards the
beach. |
 |
| When you feel you have control of the surfboard
and are comfortably surfing the wave, shift your weight to the back
leg, rotate your upper body, shove your hips and attempt to change
the angle the surfboard is facing, transfer your weight on to the
front leg and accelerate across the wave in the new direction and
continue to trim the board. |
 |
| In the early stages whether your surfboard
responds or not you should always transfer your weight onto the front
leg after attempting the change of angle. This will allow you to continue
surfing and you could attempt another change of angle on the same
wave. |
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