Surfing Waves

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and to surfing in general. I have a question regarding stance. I am having an internal battle over whether to learn to surf goofy or to surf regular. I have done a lot of skateboarding in the past and I was definitely goofy footed. Surfing, however, I have found that while I am not quite as comfortable standing regular, I can indeed surf with a regular stance. I am from Santa Barbara where nearly every break is a right. Should I force myself to learn regular so that I can surf the wave frontside (which my friends say is easier) or just surf goofy which feels more comfortable? I know this seems like a silly question but it has really been bugging me. Thanks!

Surf whichever way is most comfortable for you. No point in making things more difficult.

Frontside is supposed to be easier, although I prefer lefts and I surf natural, but as you need to be able to do both, there's no real advantage in one way or another.

If you plan to live at Santa Barbara for your whole life and only surf the rights, I guess there could be a long term benefit.

Surfing is like other sports - some people can bat right and left handed, most cant. But there is no real advantage in surfing regular over goofy, as every location has different waves; so I second DBB - whatever you feel most comfortable with.

Hi guys,

Thanks for taking the time to answer my somewhat silly question. I will go with whatever feels more comfortable.

Guac805 wrote:Hi guys,

Thanks for taking the time to answer my somewhat silly question. I will go with whatever feels more comfortable.

Goofy or natural you can ride either rights or lefts but not both at the same time! If you want a real challenge become a rarity a genuine switch foot!