Switching between goofy and regular

[Cornish Rattler]

Hi all, I'm new to this fab site......Need a bit of help with this ! I'm naturally "goofy" and skateboarded and water skied this way for years. On taking up surfing my surfing instructor made attempts to teach me using the regular stance. I found this difficult resulting in total wipe-outs. Surfing goofy was definitely easier and far more successful. Is there any advantages to surfing regular......If so, I'll do my best to change......HEY, LOVE THE SITE

[oldmansurfer]

While you are learning it's easier to face the wave as you surf. Some waves break to the right and some to the left and if you are goofy footed then you will like waves that break to the left at first. It really doesn't matter which stance you use only that you will have an easier time initially on waves that break to the left if you are goofy or to the right if you are regular

[dewei]

I'll share my switch stance experience to show when it may be helpful.

Snowboarding was my first board sport. My coach encouraged me to go goofy when I couldn't decide. A few sessions later, I found out regular stance felt more natural. I made the point of riding goofy every session but it never came close to my regular riding.

When I couldn't get to snowboard anymore, I tried skateboarding and then surfing. I rode regular stance straightaway.

After 18 months surfing, I was progressing reasonably but I envied the goofy footers. They rode better and had more fun. Most of the waves here are left handers.

I switched on the skateboard. Not that hard. Then, I tried popping up goofy a few times. Not a complete disaster. I decided to go for it and only surf goofy.

It wasn't easy. It was like starting all over again. My confidence sank. I felt I was wasting good waves. My mates were having great rides. And yet, riding frontside had an exhilarating feel which riding backside didn't. I discovered a side of surfing I never suspected.

Within 4 months, I was back to my previous best. It's still under a year since the switch. I am progressing well even on the rare right handers. It feels that I've always been riding goofy.

[pismorich1]

Aloha, I have been surfin since 79, I just had a left shoulder total replacement. If u surf this long u will also get your rite of passage.

Though the final straw was a fall at work, it was time. Also from the fall I received a left torn hip Labrum.. This is the membrane that raps
around the lining of the ball joint in the hip joint.

I will no longer be able to surf "naturally" goofy.. It will now be a year before I attempt surfing again. I will no longer attach a leash to my left leg,
leaving me no choice but to start over as a regular. I am not looking forward to the whole transformation but I have no other choice. I
don't want hip surgery, that's that!!

You are Naturally a Goofy!!! Andy Freekin Irons was a goofy! Nuf said! Go back to goofy! Forget regular.. Enjoy!

Outta the wada for a year, Rich in Pismo..

[oldmansurfer]

Wow Rich, Welcome to the forum and hope you get back in the water soon. I have been surfing since 1971 but I took like almost 12 years off then restarted. I know lots of old surfers who can't surf anymore due to repetitive motion injuries. So far I am still doing ok though. I guess fortunately for me I can't surf for endless hours which would make me more prone to repetitive motion injuries. I hope your transition to regular foot goes ok.