I reckon I could surf better if I was.

For about a week now I've gone right back to the most basic training possible, the pop up.

I set up a 10' board on a block of 4" foam and practice just standing up because that's the thing I always feel the most uncomfortable about.

What I've noticed is that no matter how hard I try to get my left foot to the front first, the only thing that feels comfortable and I can do quickly is when I put my right foot forward first.

This is probably why I'm noticing this strange technique I have as I get older, I tend to have my feet side by side as I'm standing up.

I guess I better keep working on it to try to correct it.

Buggered if I now how, it was the left one that I had the operation on to get me back on the board. It just does not have the natural flexibility that the right one has.

When I was surfing Raglan regularly I often wished I was a goofy - but to be honest it was an easy wave to progress on your backhand.....Snowboarding I used to be able to go fakie pretty well but on a surfboard I am a complete goose as a goofy.

Hang in there obct and you will soon be the master again

I agree TB - when its bigger I am still much better on my backhand than forehand....when its small though beating sections and racing through flat fat spots is just a breeze on yr forehand compared to yr backhand I reckon. I feel much more secure and more comfortable dropping into a big left with my weight over the rails and back to the wave.

It sounds like you would probably benefit from a bit of training Obct.
Some core work and pushups (as boring as that is ) will probably help as well as some flexibility work. The older you get the harder you have to work to maintain a satisfactory level. You need to make time to do it. If you have any excess weight get rid of it. Before I got injured I was doing pilates twice a week in a mat class and an equipment class and doing it at home. Within 6 months I was surfing like I was 10 years younger.
Try it. You have no idea how much difference it will make to your surfing.
Its good to be a goofy footer.

smh said...

maybe some extra rooting might help. Similar to pushups

The word "extra" implies an additional amount over and above a set or predetermined amount.

Can anyone tell me what zero plus zero comes to?

Great, just what I need, now I've got the ghay

Bet I still can't score a root

Last night I came up with a compromise, there was no way my left knee was ever going to let my right foot get there first.

The compromise involves balancing on my right foot while I swing the left foot forward.

That in itself presents two problems, firstly it causes me to run forward and secondly, it places too much weight on the right Side of the board while I'm dragging the left foot forward.

I'll work on it through the week and see if I can find a wave on the weekend to try it out.

Ted the Kiwi said...

obct said...

Last night I came up with a compromise, there was no way my left knee was ever going to let my right foot get there first.

What did the wife think of the new technique ?

She said I had to wait until they removed the bogged Kenwoth before I could try it.

OB, if you're interested, I can share some workouts with you, just easy core and balance stuff that will help with a pop up. Stretching isn't as important as warming up all the joints, before a surf, but stretching is really important after a surf, or any other sport. PM me if you're interested. And NO, I'm not gay, but I once slept with a guy who was so you don't have to worry.

I also found that I can't surf goofy, but have to skate goofy, but can switch foot on my 4 foot long board. I'm glad to see others have the same experience with skating, where you an switch without too much bother.

Michael

^

obct said...

Sorry Michael, I just saw the typo on the first line where I forgot to put the word "not".

Managed to fix it before the edit function was turned off.

Hope I managed to fix it before the rumors started.

I read that, thought you meant Physio or fit bugger... Actually bugger might not be the right word

You know where I tend to go in a lot just lately is around those sections from in front of the pipe at North Styne surf club up to Queeny. It just seems to be working better than most places this time of year.

I even take a good look at Manly.

But Saturday or Sunday, I always start to look from Kiddies corner, if only because I like to get my coffee along with a macadamia & muesli slice from the ladies at the Bakehouse.

chrispychru said...

you should have nice firm stools eating those museli slices obct

How can eating a muesli slice make you a better cabinet and furniture maker

That's almost as strange as the question my vet asked me when I took my Guinea Pig to him.

He said to me:

"does he have a yellow stool?"

I said

"No, he's got a little red ferris wheel, but I hardly see what that has to do with the problem "

^^^