Budthedog
Well-Known Member
Big ramble ahead so here’s the TLDR: 1. Is the front foot surfing on hulls similar to the mechanics of snowboarding? 2. Does progressing with your average board make transitioning to a hull more challenging (specifically regarding weight placement and fin use)?
The ramble
I’ve been surfing for almost a decade now but not very seriously. I just got a surfskate to improve my bottom turns and lackluster cutbacks (plus keep me busy when I can’t get to the ocean). After snowboarding for years, one of the challenges, maybe roadblocks, is that it’s ingrained in me to steer from my front foot.
Cue displacement hull curiosity. I’ve read a ton/watched what I can, and they sound amazing and like the surfing I’d like to do. Real flowy, graceful high lines, speedy, not about pumping and smacking the lip. I ordered a Vaquero a couple months ago (know they’re not “true” hulls) and am on the lookout for a more beatery hull I can play around on. But while I wait, I have some questions...
Are turns initiated from the front foot in a similar was as on a snowboard? If so, are my efforts to progress with the fishy groveler I’m mostly riding now counterproductive? Ie making it a habit to use those fins more when the surfing that sounds fun to me looks like it comes from the front/middle?
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
The ramble
I’ve been surfing for almost a decade now but not very seriously. I just got a surfskate to improve my bottom turns and lackluster cutbacks (plus keep me busy when I can’t get to the ocean). After snowboarding for years, one of the challenges, maybe roadblocks, is that it’s ingrained in me to steer from my front foot.
Cue displacement hull curiosity. I’ve read a ton/watched what I can, and they sound amazing and like the surfing I’d like to do. Real flowy, graceful high lines, speedy, not about pumping and smacking the lip. I ordered a Vaquero a couple months ago (know they’re not “true” hulls) and am on the lookout for a more beatery hull I can play around on. But while I wait, I have some questions...
Are turns initiated from the front foot in a similar was as on a snowboard? If so, are my efforts to progress with the fishy groveler I’m mostly riding now counterproductive? Ie making it a habit to use those fins more when the surfing that sounds fun to me looks like it comes from the front/middle?
Any thoughts are much appreciated.