Surfing Waves

I recently ran into this video by a 14-year old -- it looks awesome but I got a question.


It seems to me her forehand is somewhat frozen and stays mostly static. Huge contrast to backhand. Is this good?

I am aware of the advice of always placing your leading arm outside the rail. I'm more confused by the forehand being somewhat stiff/static, and am wondering if it's a good habit.

yeah, the front arm does look a bit odd. Its like he is turning only from the shoulder - which is still bringing the upper body around, but it doesnt allow extra hard turns that using the arm does (you can get a faster/slightly further twist using the arm). I suspect its because he is surfing a tiny board and just doesnt have to get the mechanics entirely correct; the board will turn anyway.

ConcreteVitamin wrote: and am wondering if it's a good habit.

Agreed it is different. But that is STYLE. His style.

Even in the above still photo, you can see him dropping his arm to create a pivot point for the board to follow around. Like a Moto-GP racer putting down a knee on the tarmac. So it's not that static.

All my comments/observations and teaching of basic forms go out the window once you get to a certain stage. There was this Uncle at Waikiki that surfed with both hands clasps behind his back above his waist. That's the way he surfed. Now if he was falling off and wasting sections, we'd probably say he surfs like a kook, but no, he surfed really well.

Is it a good habit to have a "frozen", static front arm, I would say no it's not good. But if you can rip the tops off waves and land tail 360's with a finger in your nose or in a stink bug stance, then it's all good.

long hair but he is a boy. Surfing is a sport that doesn't require an audience or a referee and unless you are a pro surfer there are no points given regardless of what you do. It is the sport of unique individuals not of conformity and unless you are a pro the only reward is the way it makes you feel. So make sure you are enjoying it and leave others to enjoy what makes them feel good.