#seeatiptimetuesday ✨
The gas pedal~
Making speed on a surfboard is a mix of utilizing the steepness of a wave matched with pressure coming through the back foot. Surfing is unique in the way balance is used. The back foot plays a key roll in both direction and speed.
On this particular wave, notice how Naomi weaves back and forth on the wave waiting for the steepness of the wave to form. As soon as it begins to, she utilized a bottom turn (stepping into her backfoot with added pressure) to turn the board and also ‘step on the gas pedal’. See how much speed and projection she gets from initiating her turn just as the wave steepens up?!
If you find yourself too far out on the shoulder of mushy waves, or unable to make speed, practice this technique (this is very wave dependent— if the wave is moving fast down the line, then waiting for the gas pedal turn isn’t necessary). The gas pedal
can be found on nearly every bottom turn, because you can use your speed coming into the steep part of the wave to turn the board, which will often create more speed!
Pay attention to foot placement and timing for the gas pedal!!!
Surfing: @naomi_tialavea
Words: @leahloves
Footage: @_joshua_varela_