May 07, 2025

How to Turn Bigger Surfboards Effectively

Turning bigger surfboards—whether you're riding a longboard or a midlength—requires finesse, patience, and a deeper understanding of rail work and foot positioning. Unlike shortboards, which pivot quickly due to their smaller size and lighter build, longboards and midlengths demand a more fluid, graceful approach. When you master turning these boards, you open the door to a style of surfing that's smooth, stylish, and often more connected to the wave.

This guide covers how to turn bigger boards effectively, the differences between longboards and midlengths in terms of turning technique, and brief recommendations for boards that suit surfers looking to improve their maneuverability.

Understanding the Differences: Longboards vs. Midlengths

Longboards

Longboards, generally 8'0 and up, are designed for glide, trim, and nose riding. They turn slowly compared to shorter boards, but in the right hands, they’re capable of stylish, arcing maneuvers and tight pivots when properly controlled.

Midlengths

Midlengths (typically 6’6” to 8’0) offer a blend of shortboard maneuverability and longboard glide. They can be quicker to turn than longboards but still require technique and rail engagement to turn smoothly and powerfully.

Core Techniques for Turning Bigger Boards

1. Start with Proper Foot Positioning

The placement of your feet is key in generating any kind of turn.

For Midlengths: Keep your back foot near the tail pad or rear third of the board. Your front foot should be just ahead of center. Adjustments forward or backward influence the board’s responsiveness.
For Longboards: You’ll need to move your feet more. Walk back to the tail when turning is your focus, especially for sharp turns or cutbacks. The further back you are, the more leverage you have to pivot the board.

2. Use Your Rails

Bigger boards aren’t designed to whip around with the same torque as a shortboard. Instead, they excel in long, carving turns that use the rail from nose to tail. To do this:

Lean into the turn with your shoulders and hips.
Engage the inside rail smoothly.
Avoid sudden shifts; think of drawing lines instead of snapping them.

The best turns on a longboard or midlength come from thoughtful weight shifts and a flowing connection between your body and the wave’s face.

3. Look Where You Want to Go

Always look through your turn. Your eyes lead your head, which leads your shoulders, which directs the rest of your body and board. On larger boards, the whole process needs to be initiated a touch earlier, because of the delayed reaction time. Initiate the turn by:

Turning your head and shoulders in the direction of your desired line.
Slightly bending your knees to maintain balance and engage the rail.

4. Master the Cross-Step

On longboards, moving forward and backward is crucial.

Walk toward the tail for sharper turns (you’ll see this a lot in drop-knee cutbacks).
Cross-step back toward the middle or nose when you’re looking to trim, glide, or nose ride.
Practice walking the board on mellow days—fluid footwork will allow you to turn when needed and shift weight without falling.

5. Drop-Knee Turns (Mostly for Longboards)

One of the most classic ways to pivot a longboard is with a drop-knee turn.

Move your back foot to the tail.
Drop your back knee toward the deck.
Pivot on the tail while keeping your upper body open toward the direction of the turn.
These turns are visually elegant and effective when done smoothly.

6. Use the Whole Wave

Don’t try to force big boards into shortboard lines. Bigger boards love open faces and drawn-out carves.

On midlengths, look for sections to carve wide arcs and figure-8 style turns.
On longboards, you can stay higher on the wave and glide or trim across sections before dropping down for a cutback or pivot.

7. Stall and Redirect

Often you’ll need to slow the board down to position for a good turn. On bigger boards:

Lean gently on your inside rail or stall by stepping slightly back.
Once in the right position, shift weight back or pivot the board into a new direction.

This is especially helpful when navigating through crowded lineups or maneuvering on mushy waves.

Equipment Considerations

Turning isn’t just about technique—it’s also about having the right board under your feet. Here’s a look at some excellent midlengths and longboards that make learning and improving turning technique easier.

Midlength Recommendations

1. Degree 33 Speed Egg

The Speed Egg is a great transition board for shortboarders looking to explore longer lines or for longboarders wanting more agility. It has a pulled-in tail and refined rails that make turning smooth and intuitive. It handles late drops well and encourages clean cutbacks and smooth rail-to-rail surfing.

2. Degree 33 Poacher

This board offers the stability of a longer shape but with the responsiveness of a shorter board. The Poacher’s hybrid feel allows for sharper turns without giving up the paddle power. It’s especially fun in shoulder-high surf where you can drive and pivot with confidence.

4. Degree 33 Over Easy

A mellow board for mellow waves, the Over Easy is user-friendly and great for trimming and cruising. Turns on this board are slower but smooth. It’s ideal for surfers who prioritize flow and glide but still want the ability to make stylish, arching turns when the section allows.

3. Degree 33 Easy Rider

Built for forgiveness and easy transitions, the Easy Rider lives up to its name. Its generous volume and rounded outline help you maintain speed and flow, making turns less technical and more fluid—great for beginners to intermediates wanting to learn rail turns on a midlength.

Longboard Recommendations

1. Degree 33 Ultimate Longboard

This is a modern performance longboard that’s designed to give surfers the best of both worlds—classic glide and maneuverability. With a more responsive tail and refined rails, the Ultimate is capable of stylish, tight cutbacks and trim control. It’s perfect for surfers wanting to improve their turning game without sacrificing nose ride potential.

2. Degree 33 Classic Log

The Classic Log is all about traditional style and smooth, flowing lines. While it’s not as quick to pivot as performance longboards, it rewards proper technique. You’ll learn how to use the rail, how to set your line, and how to work with the wave instead of against it. Great for drop-knee turns, cross-stepping, and stylish carving.

Drills and Practice Tips

Turning on a big board becomes second nature through practice. Here are some useful tips and drills:

1. Practice on Soft, Clean Waves

Look for clean, waist- to chest-high waves. These offer the best conditions to practice drawn-out turns and body mechanics without rushing.

2. Repetition of Cross-Stepping

Even when you're not surfing, practice walking forward and backward on your board on land. Balance boards or board bags on soft ground can simulate the experience.

3. Video Yourself

Seeing yourself surf can reveal a lot about foot positioning and posture. You’ll notice if you’re standing too far forward or not engaging your rail properly in turns.

4. Watch Stylists

Surfers like Devon Howard or Corey Colapinto provide a masterclass in style and technique. Watch how they use the whole board and wave to execute smooth, stylish turns.

Final Thoughts

Turning bigger surfboards isn’t about brute strength or snapping hard. It’s about finesse, reading the wave, and using the length and rails to your advantage. The more you ride and experiment with your footwork, posture, and timing, the more natural it becomes.

Midlengths offer a perfect bridge between high-performance and classic style, and longboards reward commitment to technique and rhythm. Whether you're carving an open face on a Speed Egg or doing a drop-knee turn on a Classic Log, the art of turning a big board is one of the most satisfying elements of surfing.

So take your time, find your rhythm, and let the board and wave do the work. When you lean into your turn and feel the rail slice through the water just right, you'll understand why many surfers fall in love with bigger boards.

If you would like assistance finding the right board for you, give us a call at (800) 920-2363 or an email at surf@degree33.com