Sitting and turning

[a_person]

Hi peeps, just a question about something Im having a little trouble with...

When I'm sitting down on my board in the lineup waiting for the next wave, how do I turn quickly to get into the lying-down position and ultimately catch the wave? Whenever I spot a wave, I end up turning around too slowly and it rolls past me...

Thanks in advance!

[RJD]

lean back & use your legs

[pkbum]

If you took physics you should know that by rotating upward instead of a circle is going to give more angular velocity. Of course I don't know what I m talking about.

[Otter]

Sit toward the rear of your board, and swing it around using your hands and feet to turn. When the wave approaches, let your board use it's bouyancy to get you started. As it works it's way up and out of the water, lean forward into the prone position. The board will automatically try to go flat on the water and move forward at the same time. Watch some of the more skilled surfers, I'm certain you will see someone doing this, and just try to ape them.

[a_person]

Thanks for the help all.

Just to clarify:

Normally I would be sitting smack in the middle, but when I think it's time turn I should shift back a bit and use my legs and arms etc.? Do I have it right?

[pkbum]

Thanks for the help all.

but when I think it's time turn I should shift back a bit and use my legs and arms etc.? Do I have it right?

Spot on

[Otter]

Yup, by sitting in the middle of your board, you are causing excess friction between your board and the water. By sitting back on the board, pulling the nose out of the water, much less friction, easier to turn. Perhaps a better word would be resistance rather than friction, but it boils down to the same thing. By pulling your nose out of the water, there's much less resistance to the turning action of your hands and feet. Use this technique to help yourself catch a wave, or if you see a sneaker set coming way outside to turn toward it and avoid getting worked by paddling out past it.