cutback/snap

[Melisagrom]

So I'm just starting to get the hang of some basic manouvres and I've found my way to cutbacks and snaps. it's ever so frustrating because every time I try them both I get sooo close but it doesn't quite make it. What happens is, after the bottom turn I lose speed going to the top and it sort of just falls into a carve.I don't have enough momentum to either snap or do the full 180 for a cutback. I know for my next session I'm going to try to look more where I want to go and stand back a bit- naturally when I stand up I stand a bit too far forward on the board, I think subconsciously I'm worried I'll sink the back of the board or something??

I just wanted to hear from the SW crew what tips you'd give for myself and anyone else in my situation: tips such as good foot placement, weight positioning, ways to pick up and maintain speed, anything you can think of that's helped you in the past. I'm down at the coast for another sesh this weekend and I'm hoping it'll all click then!! so any tips you can think of will be much appreciated
I'm kinda tired now so I hope everything made sense!! cheers

[jaffa1949]

Hi Melissagrom, I think you've answered your own question, first to go to the next stage you need to gain speed and momentum out of your bottom turns if you are going forward on a short board you are bogging the board down and swinging to the top for a turn is too slow as you are finding out!
You won't bog the back , short boards surf from the one spot nearer the tail and with more speed you are even less likely to sink
Watch the top guys where you surf and watch how they lay it over to gain speed.
Try those things at a lower percentage spot on the wave, and practice and as you get speed and control, pitch more and more to the steeper parts of the top of the wave.
Also look at the guys who don't make the moves why are they failing,learn from them too.
I would bet 100% they are trying to link turns without speed.

Anyone who is surfing well can generate speed, from the first fins on surfboards the initial bottom turn was the foundation for all speed for all things down the line (it still applies).
Pros can generate speed from just about anywhere on the wave if the surf is poor they will link 2 or 3 speed generating maneouvres before whacking a big move.