toe side turns and surfboards

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 78 Posts hillsboro

I bought a 6' 2" LF rawson quad and need to figure out how to ride it. What is the easiest turn? On a twin tip my toe side riding and toe side turns basically suck. Part of the problem is my poor one hand kite control. I find it difficult to sine and maintain power for upwind progress. Is a surf board easier? Or should I work on perfecting toe side turns on a TT before going to the surfboard?

Nak · Since 19 May 2005 2133 Posts Camas XTreme Poster

I'm just learning to ride a surfboard too. Toeside riding is a lot easier on a surfboard than on a twintip, at least for me. What I haven't been able to get the hang of is the whole foot swap thing. Sad

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 595 Posts Portland, OR Addicted

Time on the water............lots and lots of time on the water............oh ya and ride with someone way better than you are, helps with progression.
Enjoy your progression, thats what it all about.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 3044 Posts Portland Unstrapped

work on both your TT and surfboard each session - one hand control is definitely key

try planting a hand in the water when you drive a powered toe side carve - use it like a pole plant if you are a skier

and what Twinfin said!

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 78 Posts hillsboro

Gman yeah your're right. I rode my surfboard for the first time yesterday. Didn't make a singe turn. I really need to get the TT toe side turn down better.

I did find the board really rockets upwind if you flatten the board with toe pressure and drive off the fin like a windsurfing board. So I can use this to make up for all the downwind loss of the jibe.

wylieflyote · Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:58 am

Question: I purchased a 6' LF Directional last Christmas... Is it worthless in the Gorge cuz it's too big? I'm still too nervous for the coast with this board. Not jibing yet.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 3044 Posts Portland Unstrapped

no way - that board should be a ton of fun in both the river and ocean - I learned on this weird inland surfboard with zero rocker for wake surfing behind a boat - got it at a swap meet for 50 bucks

strachman · Since 09 Aug 2007 164 Posts Stoked

Initiate kite first before making toeside turn.

lawnmower · Since 14 Dec 2007 66 Posts

Just for future reference, learn to get on the thing fast in the gorge (6 seconds or less) before going to the coast.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 3044 Posts Portland Unstrapped

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 408 Posts Portland Obsessed

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 3044 Posts Portland Unstrapped

2 seconds!

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 539 Posts Addicted

I'd say get your toeside riding and downloop turns dialed on on a twintip first before moving to the strapless. All that stuff is going to be easier to learn with the deck attached to your feet and the smaller board is easier to whip around I think!

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 632 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:45 am

Not sure about 6 seconds.

I found it to be 4.....uh oooh.....3....shit shit shit.....2.....Fuck.....1......Booooooom!!

So I would say 4 seconds. 2 would probably be better though.
Word to the wise, there is no such thing as mowing the lawn in the ocean.