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It's flat around here...
Bottom turn
Now let’s say you are in the right position, perfectly placed on the board, you have to turn to be able to go straight and then diagonally. Turn left if it’s left and vice versa.
The reading of the wave
Your reading of the wave will determine your bottom turn : long if the wave is fast, very tight if you want to go back to the vertical section etc.
The management of your Kite
The management of your Kite is essential. If the wind is strong, it will drift and “follow” your course downwind. But if the wind is weaker or the wave slower, you will need to activate it so that it does not end up in the water. Give it a little advance on your way but remember that he must always be in front of the nose of your board.
If you riding facing the wind, the movements of the Kite are useless and you will need to shock it as much as possible to free you from the traction of the Kite that will block your maneuvers.
Avoid making your Kite the main motor of your surfing. You are not there to jet-ski but to use the power of the wave as the main driving force.
The energy built up during the take-off is not infinite. So, the bottom turn that will burn much of this energy must produce :
- Build up energy again by pumping with the thighs.
- Burn as little as possible with excessive movements and that would slow down the board.
The acceleration and radicality of the turns
The acceleration and radicality of the turns that will flow from this commitment may surprise at first, but it is a key element to surfing.
That’s really what makes the wave surfable. With a good bottom turn one can go far beyond the speed that the wave produces and project oneself into other maneuvers.
Of course, the heavier the wave is, the more you have to step back and get your foot near the inside rail.
Also, note that in fast and powerful waves, the board can rebound off the water. It can even make you lose your balance. Be sure to dose the weight distribution correctly.
It’s where you look that guides your board. So keep your eyes on where you want to go.
