From C4 Waterman - Todd Bradley's son demonstrates the kick turn.

Hope it helps - Have fun!

Thanks great! Both natural footers, and one vid shows spinning forehand the other spinning backhand direction. I'll have to practice both. They make it look so easy.

I'm also natural footed and like to turn backhand to catch a wave.

I also like to speed up paddling towards the wave..and then drag the paddle on the left side to get the turn started.. I then step back slightly with my back foot and do a couple of wide sweeping paddle strokes that swing almost past the tail of my board.. Once I'm almost around I bring my back foot forward again and continue paddling hard on the right side to catch the wave.

You can see what I mean here on this old vid that I did last year. I think if you don't drag the paddle first the board will be too slow to turn. (depending on the board)

I'll have to re do this vid one day soon on my new Naish 11'4".. In this vid I was just paddling a surfboard.

DJ

robdog said...

What are the pros and cons of catching the wave in parallel stance as compared to already being in the surf stance and catching the wave?
I have been catching waves parallel stance, but lately have been trying catching them in surfing stance where I seem to be able to put more power into my paddling and of course don't have to change stance as I take the drop.

I reckon if you can do it..Do it..

BTW..Even my parallel stance is slightly staggered.

DJ

oliver said...

I haven't been surfing for long and should really practice the back leg sink turn much more. Lately I've been turning quickly enough by tending to do more along the lines of what DJ described.

While in parallel stance facing the wave, I will do one long backwards stroke, then change sides and do push the paddle perpendicular to the board in a slowish motion to spin the board almost into the position and then I power paddle on the same side as normal to spin the board the last few degrees to catch the wave. Once I feel I'm on the wave I move my right leg to the back of the board. I think paddling/turning while in parallel stance gives a bit more stability.

For a while I experimented with paddling more in a surfing stance but found I would miss waves because I would lose my balance in the moments before catching a wave. So now I try to be nice and stable when doing the power paddles. I guess it's all just practice.

I'm with you Oliver. One backward sweep, then two paddles on the opposite side will turn you every time, in time using a parallel stance. Much more stable and you miss less waves. I do agree that if you can do the surfer stance version, go for it but I don't see a need for it yet. Another clue is to turn your board as you reach the apex of the penultimate wave,(the wave before the one you want). The timing usually is perfect and the wave movement helps you turn.

It's also really really nice to paddle over a big feathering wave on a SUP. The view is great from up there.

Isn't that the best especially with an off shore wind with the top of the wave gently showering you when you land. It's always tempting to try to turn quick to catch that wave - however more often than not I stuff up big time so I don't bother. Now I find it's better to take your time to collect your thoughts and confidence and turn to catch the next one.

I don't quite get how you could push the paddle with one arm, while bracing it on your leg - can you explain that a bit more.

What I do is a back paddle first, really hard, but it depends on whether you are turning into the peak or out onto the shoulder. I mostly surf rights and mostly turn into the peak, which puts you on the inside position so no-one can snake you for that wave. If it looks like a late takeoff, I back paddle the other side to turn away from the wave, this puts me on the shoulder for an easier takeoff.

My feet are always slightly surf stance, only by about 3 inches. What this lets you do is to have one foot slightly in front of centre of balance and one foot slightly behind C of B with your shoulders on C of B. This stance increases the pivot action of the board, you bend back and the weight is behind centre of balance for quick pivots. I am trying to increase the stance distance to 4" for a quicker pivot, it just takes training.

I have a formulae worked out for my turns which is very deliberate and I do it every time.
1 back paddle hard to bring the nose around to parrallel with the wave
2 reach as far forward and sweep turn to bring the nose around more
3 reach as far forward as possible and power stroke to get you moving and complete the turn
4 power stroke onto the wave
I think this uses one more stroke than the videos of the kick turn.

I also take off slightly surf style, but I do step forward and paddle sometimes if the timing is not right, both goofy and natural. I am a natural footer.

Rod

It's just a lazy way of turning when you see a wave coming. It's not a super-you-beaut-technique. It's a way of getting the blade of the paddle far away from the board and sweeping through the longest arc possible.

To turn to the right, hold the paddle in your right hand about 50-60cm from the handle with your arm hanging straight down and the paddle pointing out horizontally to your right and to the rear.

Put the handle against the back of your thigh to make a pivot point. The idea is that the paddle is as low as possible so it is almost horizontal but without bending over.

Drop the blade of the paddle in the water then push forward with your right hand with the handle locked against your leg.

The board pivots pretty much in place.

GregW said...
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I practice kick turns on flat water

But, when I get out in the surf I don't want to risk falling and missing a wave so I don't try kick turns.


Greg

Just go for it! and practice between waves you will get it in no time , you will find one way easier than the other,I mean direction wise.
Drop your weight and try to remain centered over your board ,try to keep your head looking straight until your mostly through your turn , obviously you need to turn your head to see the wave coming but use as much preferal vision as possible and after a short while you won't be bothered and you'll be able to turn your head and maintain your balance

If you don't actually do it in the surf you'll never get it, its a huge advantage for when you need to turn fast for a wave that pops up out of no where or when your paddling back out.
Practice in choppy conditions so when its smooth you'll be thinking how easy is this !!

Just in from a surf on my 9'0 and I was practicing the kick turn. I was doing this after I pulled off a wave, cause you are already in the surf stance. I fell of a few times when I moved my back foot forward while still paddling. What I realised is that you If move your back foot forward when you are leaning forward to start the stroke the back foot follows you and you don't fall off.

Rod