In surfing, having the right amount of speed isn’t enough—you also need to learn to control speed. Knowing some tips to control your speed while surfing contribute to an incredible surfing experience. SurfingSecretsRevealed.com explains why exercising speed control is vital when riding waves. Here are some abbreviated tips from Surfing Secrets Revealed. You can read more complete tips to control your speed while surfing from the experts themselves.
“Being able to control one’s speed is vital for a surfer’s ability to perform maneuvers correctly because without speed, it will be more difficult to maintain one’s balance and position. Being able to control one’s speed also requires flexibility, especially since riding a wave would mean that the surfer may need to turn, twist, and bend to be able to prevent falling or crashing.
The first step to control your speed is careful assessment of the waves. Assess the wave type and size and learn to evaluate if a particular wave will increase your speed or decrease it.
A wider-arch turn actually helps you maintain speed and that leaning towards the right angles will help you increase or decrease speed.
Knowing how to execute pumping and trimming is also important for speed control. Pumping is when you adjust the surfboard to the face and direction of the wave so that you will maintain your forward momentum. Pumping will give you the opportunity to increase your speed while getting down the line.”
If you already know how to control your speed while surfing, maybe you’re ready for Big Wave Surfing. Learn more about what you need you need to know to take on those 20-footers!