What exactly are lefties ?

[me]

Hi !

So, basically, I know nothing about surfing, but I have this question I would like to get an answer for...

I heard that there're lefties and, I assume, righties. How do you define them ?

Is it the way one moves in accordance to the coast (moving to the left, while facing the coast - lefty and vice versa) ?

Also, do people really stick to this in terms of that if one is a lefty they cannot surf the other way or is it more like whatever you feel like at the moment ?

Thanks to anyone, who will answer !

[kitesurfer]

Hi !

So, basically, I know nothing about surfing, but I have this question I would like to get an answer for...

I heard that there're lefties and, I assume, righties. How do you define them ?

Is it the way one moves in accordance to the coast (moving to the left, while facing the coast - lefty and vice versa) ?

Also, do people really stick to this in terms of that if one is a lefty they cannot surf the other way or is it more like whatever you feel like at the moment ?



Thanks to anyone, who will answer !

Im curious as to where and what context you've heard these terms used for surfing. Personally i never use them except maybe when im having trouble getting my boots on the right feet!
I can only assume you might be refering to left and right hand waves? In which case when surfing a right hand wave goes right and a left hand wave goes left.

KS

[CHarvey]

you are facing the beach from out in the water and you go left or you go right. Anyone can go either way so long as they have the right of way and the wave is actually breaking the direction.

[me]

Hi !

So, basically, I know nothing about surfing, but I have this question I would like to get an answer for...

I heard that there're lefties and, I assume, righties. How do you define them ?

Is it the way one moves in accordance to the coast (moving to the left, while facing the coast - lefty and vice versa) ?

Also, do people really stick to this in terms of that if one is a lefty they cannot surf the other way or is it more like whatever you feel like at the moment ?



Thanks to anyone, who will answer !

Im curious as to where and what context you've heard these terms used for surfing. Personally i never use them except maybe when im having trouble getting my boots on the right feet!
I can only assume you might be refering to left and right hand waves? In which case when surfing a right hand wave goes right and a left hand wave goes left.

KS

Erm... I think I remember someone saying they hate surfing in New Zealand because of too many lefties in there... I thought that was what they meant...

Anyway...

So, you have one leg ahead of the other. Is it always the same leg (i.e. always left or always right leg ahead) ? In this case, does that mean that you would be surfing either your back to the coast or your back to the ocean, depending on which way you're going ?

In videos, I saw people surfing both their back to the ocean and their back to the sea... Which way is exactly the right way to surf ?

[CHarvey]

No particular right way to do it. What ever you are most comfortable with.
The correct term, now that I understand what you are getting at, is goofy and regular footed. I am a regular foot but almst everyone I know is goofy. Goofy footers have their left foor on the back of the board.
Whatever you are most comfortable doing is the right way.

[kitesurfer]

Of course it may just be as simple as they don't like surfing in new zealand because the goverment is the labour party! Which i guess makes the country full of lefties!

KS

[Becksey]

Im more of a lefty. Im a goofy footer and i prefer facing the wave

[Phil]

funnest thread ive read for a while

[Becksey]

hmm yer now i read through... im quite confused. I always thought the word 'lefties' mean you surf left (facing coast) hmmm..

[Kabazz]

Could either mean:

Wave breaking so you ride it to the left

Left handed people

When you flush the loo the water goes round left

[CHarvey]

Rightie tightie, lefty loosie

[tomato3000]

The other answers don't seem that clear so I'll have a go:

Lefty/Righty applies to point breaks, these break very directionally - of course you can cut back and surf them any direction you want - but they'll have a direction they always break in.

A 'left' would mean that if you go in the direction of the breaking water you'll be facing the shore.

'Regular' (left foot forward) surfers are generally not as comfortable at lefts because you'll be predominately surfing back side.

[essex sucks]

haha this topic is good

[me]

No particular right way to do it. What ever you are most comfortable with.
The correct term, now that I understand what you are getting at, is goofy and regular footed. I am a regular foot but almst everyone I know is goofy. Goofy footers have their left foor on the back of the board.
Whatever you are most comfortable doing is the right way.

I tried to surf once, actually, and it's the only way I can do it (left foot on the back). I thought that means you can only go to the left, if you're facing the shore, so that your face is turned to the wave. I always thought that your face off the wave was not the right way to do it, though I've seen videos with people surfing like that...

[me]

hmm yer now i read through... im quite confused. I always thought the word 'lefties' mean you surf left (facing coast) hmmm..

I thought so too.

[RJD]

facing the coast? doesnt that depend on where the coast is and which way the wave breaks..?

[drowningbitbybit]

if you're facing the shore, so that your face is turned to the wave.

I think I see your problem - you're trying to surf backwards.
Remember - you look towards the pointy end of the board.

[Otter]

Facing the beach, paddling toward shore. The wave peaks. Each peak has two sides, the right and the left. If a surfer drops in and goes left, that means he turned to his left, vice versa. Your pal probably rides regular foot, left foot forward. A goofy rides with the right foot forward. If you are facing the wave as you ride, it's called frontside. If you have your back to the wave, you're going backside. If you ride with either foot forward, you're called a swtichfoot.

[me]

^ Thanks for the info. But, what is the right way to surf - frontside or backside ? I know it all depends and all, but... say, in professional surfing, like in a competition, how do people do it - frontside or backside ?

[CHarvey]

They do which ever one allows them to go the direction the wave is breaking. There is no right or wrong in this.