Heel side surfing

[wootzy]

Does anybody fancy giving me any tips on how to improve my heel side surfing? I tend to avoid catching lefthanded waves (i'm a regular) because when i do my body feels stiff and uncomfortable.

Although i'm not a great surfer anyway, i find it a darn sight easier to surf on a righthanded wave. Should i carry on avoiding catching lefthanders until i master my toe side. Then maybe my heelside surfing will come more naturally? or should i constantly be practicing my heel side until i'm at a similar standard which ever way i catch the wave?

Do most people suffer from the same problem and ultimately have a preferance to which side they surf. Thankyou in advance for your help

[Patrick__69]

Im goffy so I abuse the fact most people don't like heelside so I rareley do heelside but I would do both? Im no expert.

[Broosta]

I'm natural footed and where I surf here on the east coast most of the waves are lefts so I'm usually surfing backhand. I think my backhand hack is better that my frontside, and its purely due to surfing backhand more, so basically Wootsy you need to start taking off on more lefts mate .
Really no surfer should be thinking that they will only go a certain way cos they like it, you should be going which ever way the wave dictates.

[Patrick__69]

which ever way the wave dictates.

Well Said.

[drowningbitbybit]

Stop thinking sbout your feet - turn your shoulders in the direction you want to go in, and the weight will transfer onto your heels anyway. Hey presto, backhand.

[Phil]

i had the same problem but just keeped trying to take lefts till i got better at them im still not 100% confident on lefts but i can take them easy enough

[niallhills]

I'm the opposite of you. I prefer to turn heelside. im regular, and i guess i just find it easier to turn heelside.

one thing that may help, is to be aggressive when doin the heelside turn. dig the board down into the water, but make sure not to fall off the back of the board.

you may also find it easier if you crouch down a bit more and lean back a bit. again, don't fall off the back tho! keep your eye on the outside rail the whole time, and if you can try to either grab it or be in the position to grab it.

hope that helps!