Fade Turn 101

[waikikikichan]

Here is a proper FADE TURN done by none other than Craig Anderson.

Fast forward to 0:31

"Wait a minute, isn't that the guy who rides Hypto Kryptos ?"
Yes, good surfers can ride any size board.

[BoMan]

Good technique for when you get out of position for a wave...or is this only my problem?

[oldmansurfer]

what a smooth graceful surfer! Looks like he has that style of knees together surfing I have seen in a few individuals way back when

[waikikikichan]

Good technique for when you get out of position for a wave...or is this only my problem?

It works when you're out of position, but also when you're "poaching". Say the guy at priority on the peak pulls back and your a bit on the shoulder, you can drop down and fade to get bounce of the curl.

The other reason is if the wave curls back in or hooks around. The locals may know that the fade turn take off is more makeable than taking off from the peak.

[oldmansurfer]

fade turns are just a useful tool in surfing. They bring you back to the power on slower waves and can even be used to get tubed on slower waves. I have done a fade from takeoff to a frontside off the lip then riding the rest of the wave backside. Doing a fade from takeoff requires that you paddle well enough to get on the wave when not in the best position and any fade requires that you know what the wave is doing. That extremely fun wave I did the off the lip after fade bottom turn was only about shoulder high but I somehow managed to get on the wave out of position and surf back toward the break due to the odd curving shape of the wave at my usual reef break. I surf by myself at breaks quite often and not in the best position quite often due to currents and variable breaking waves so fade turns are important for me.