This is perhaps our most important blog yet for intermediate surfers. Staying in the power zones of the wave is the foundation for all good surfing, so take a minute to study these tips to apply them in the water.
Step 1: Know the sections of the wave:
Before going further, make sure you read our blog, "how to read waves" so that you know the parts of the wave. You won't be able to stay in the pocket if you don't know how waves work!
Step 2: Commit to the steep sections:
A lot of the issues when is comes to staying in the power pocket are about mindset. Especially when the waves get bigger, we feel like we need to outrun the scary parts of the wave. Even when the waves are small, our mindset often may be "I need to get down the line" rather than focusing on what is right in front of you. Instead of continuing these mistakes, commit yourself to the power sections. We'll teach you how to do this in the next few steps
Step 3: Pay attention to where you are looking:
As a general rule of thumb, where your eyes are, your body will follow. So as you are riding, look to the steep sections of the wave. If the steep section is down the line, look down the line, if the steep section is right in front of you, look up to the steep section and do not look down the line.
Step 4: Master Functional Maneuvers:
Mastering your turns is simultaneously extremely fun and functional when it comes to staying in the pocket. The most common turn to keep you in the pocket it a cutback. A cutback, hence the name, allows you to turn back to the whitewater, or the steeper section of the wave. Second, once, you are in the pocket, a snap, or top turn, will allow you to turn with progression and not become too far propelled to the open wave face. A snap can most easily be performed on smaller boards, such as our ATV, Rocketfish, Poacher, and Easy Rider. Last, and most importantly, do not neglect the importance of your bottom turns. For waves moving down the line quickly, a shallow bottom turn will propel you forward. For "wedging" waves with not much open face, a deeper bottom turn is needed to keep you in the wave.
Step 5: Learn how to increase, or brush off speed:
Waves speed up and slow down. To match the power of the wave, you will need to learn how to speed up and slow down as well. First, to slow down, you can perform some of the functional maneuvers as listed above, especially the drawn out bottom turn, or you can put weight on the tail of the board, known as a "kick stall." For speeding up, move up the board a little bit and either pump for speed, or perform high and low lines to gain momentum.
Last thing
All of these tips will be void to you if you do not have the correct board for your skill level! Give a call at (800) 920-2363 or email us at surf@degree33.com and we'd love to assist!
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