You’ve probably felt it before—those rare moments when everything on the wave just clicks. Your board glides effortlessly beneath your feet, every turn flows into the next, and it feels like you’ve unlocked some secret rhythm with the ocean. This is the flow that every surfer dreams of, but it’s not just about catching the perfect wave. It’s about mastering the subtle art of connecting each maneuver so that your entire ride feels like one continuous, graceful movement.
For intermediate surfers, this is the stage where you move beyond simply performing isolated tricks. Instead, you begin to stitch these moves together into a fluid sequence that not only looks impressive but also feels incredible. But achieving this level of flow isn’t just about physical ability—it’s about understanding the wave, your board, and yourself on a deeper level. So, how do you reach that point where every turn transitions smoothly into the next? Let’s dive into the key elements that can help you unlock this next level of surfing.
1. Perfect Your Basics: The Foundation of Fluid Surfing
Let’s kick things off by getting back to basics—because no matter how advanced your surfing gets, the fundamentals are always key. Sure, you’ve got your bottom turn, top turn, and cutback down, but can you perform them without even thinking? The goal is to make these maneuvers so instinctive that they become the building blocks for everything else you do on the wave.
Consider the bottom turn. This maneuver isn’t just about getting you back up the face of the wave; it’s about setting up your entire ride. When you initiate a bottom turn, focus on compressing your body—think of it like coiling a spring. This compression should drive through your legs and into the board’s rail, giving you the power needed to shoot back up the wave face. As you come out of the turn, extend your body to release that energy. It’s this combination of compression and extension that will keep you moving fluidly, ready for whatever comes next.
2. Wave Reading: Anticipate and React to Stay in Sync
Now, let’s talk about wave reading, because it’s one thing to ride a wave, but it’s another to understand what the wave is going to do before it even happens. This skill is crucial for linking maneuvers because it allows you to stay in perfect sync with the ocean.
When you’re out there, don’t just focus on the immediate section of the wave in front of you—look ahead, and try to predict how the wave is going to change as you ride it. For example, if you see the wave starting to steepen ahead, that’s your signal to get ready for a more aggressive maneuver like a snap or carve. On the other hand, if you notice the wave flattening out, you’ll need to adjust by pumping or trimming to maintain your speed. The better you get at reading these cues, the more naturally your maneuvers will flow into one another.
3. Positioning: Set Yourself Up for Success on Every Wave
Good positioning isn’t just about being in the right place to catch a wave—it’s about continuously adjusting your stance and your place on the wave to maximize each turn. This is where experience and intuition really start to come into play.
As you approach a breaking section, think about where you want to be. If you position yourself higher on the wave, you’ll gain more speed and momentum as you drop into a bottom turn. This, in turn, sets you up perfectly for a powerful top turn or cutback. On flatter sections, you’ll want to stay lower on the wave, using the rail to maintain speed and flow. It’s all about being proactive, not reactive—position yourself before the wave forces you to adjust, and you’ll find that your maneuvers link together much more smoothly.
4. Maintaining Momentum: Keep the Ride Alive Between Turns
One of the biggest challenges in surfing, especially when you’re trying to link maneuvers, is maintaining your speed and momentum throughout the ride. Without it, everything falls apart—your turns become sluggish, and your flow disappears. But with the right approach, you can keep that energy alive and your ride dynamic.
The trick here is to use the wave’s energy to your advantage. When you’re carving or performing any maneuver, think about how you can harness the wave’s power rather than working against it. For instance, when you’re transitioning between turns, use subtle shifts in your weight to keep your board moving smoothly. This might mean leaning into the wave to maintain speed or using a quick pump to get over a flat section. The key is to stay connected to the wave’s energy, letting it carry you from one maneuver to the next.
5. The Mental Game: Stay Loose and Relaxed
Finally, let’s not forget the mental aspect of surfing—because, honestly, your mindset can make a huge difference in how smoothly you link your maneuvers. If you’re tense, trying too hard, or overthinking every move, it’s going to show in your surfing. The key is to stay loose, relaxed, and in the moment, letting the wave guide your movements.
When you’re out there, don’t just think about the mechanics of each turn. Instead, focus on the feel of the wave under your board and how your body naturally wants to move. Surfing is as much about intuition as it is about technique, so trust yourself and let go a little. The more you can stay in the moment, the smoother your transitions will become, and the more enjoyable your ride will be.
Bringing It All Together
So, how do you bring all of this together? It’s about more than just practicing each of these elements in isolation. It’s about creating a holistic approach to your surfing, where your fundamentals, wave reading, positioning, momentum, and mindset all work in harmony. It’s a journey, but every wave you ride brings you closer to that perfect flow where everything just feels right.
If you’re ready to take your surfing to the next level and really master the art of linking maneuvers, it might be time to get some expert guidance. At Dekom Bali by Kura Kura Bus, our intermediate surf lessons are designed to help you refine these skills with the help of experienced instructors who know how to get you flowing smoothly on every wave.
Ready to start linking those maneuvers like a pro? Check out our classes and let’s get you there: https://kura2bus.com/en-idr/activities/dekom-bali-surf-lessons-intermediate-class
