Building speed Backhand

[Tazza]

Hey guys!
So pretty much I'm one of those goofy footers on the Gold Coast. (everything is right)
So I was wondering, should I take on for the school surfing Burleigh 4-6ft tomorrow?

I am nervous because recently I snapped a surfboard ( on my backhand) and im not sure if I should take on burleigh tomorrow. Im sorta learning to pull out or straighten out if i cant make it. Im about an intermediate surfer, on my forehand I can do cutbacks, clean bottom turns. but i really want too know what is the best way to get more speed on your backhand?

Cheers!

[jaffa1949]

It's a hard call being a goofy footer in the land of right points. My advice would be go to Burleigh, if you feel you cannot handle it then don't go out, but if you can or you are stretched just a little outside your comfort zone then maybe. If it is your school surfing or a surfing school ,neither has any business encouraging you to go beyond what you can handle.
As for speed try making a series of swinging mid wave turns and mini drops and backhand bottom turns and look for the power line in the wave just like you do forehand.

[surfwise77]

Get in a solid surf stance (not the poo stance) to allows your hips to open. Make sure you are rotating your shoulders.. People struggle to build speed backside because their back arm is hanging behind them when they are trying to project forward. You need to project both arms forward in order to build speed. Make sure you are rotating your abdomen and throwing your arms forward.. Your body will naturally want to open up into a neutral jumping man pose when trying to pump and what happens is that your arms end up going opposite directions... I see people do it all the time, but it really will inhibit your ability to generate speed. use both arms; be aware of both arms and try to project them forward.. and REMEMBER that all of your surfing comes through your core... dont get so stiff in your legs... Relax and have fun.... go slower to go fast. Don't get all jumpy when trying to build speed.. You want to allow the wave to build your momentum, if you try too hard you will actually slow yourself down... The best way to flow is to allow all aspects of your body to flow without resistance.. This includes resistance in your own body when performing maneuvers.