Surfing isn’t just about riding waves—it’s about style, flow, and mastering the right moves! Once you’ve nailed the basics like paddling, popping up, and trimming, it’s time to level up and start learning some cool maneuvers.
Tricks in surfing come in different levels, from beginner to advanced. Before jumping into the more technical moves, it’s important to first sharpen your basic skills, improve your wave-reading ability, and get comfortable with footwork and coordination. Watching experienced surfers can also help you understand how these maneuvers are done in real-life conditions.
Beginner Surfing Maneuvers
Trimming
Trimming is all about holding a steady line across the wave without making sharp turns. It’s a key skill that helps you stay in sync with the wave’s speed, keeping you from getting stuck in the whitewater. Master this, and you’ll have the flow needed to set up for bigger, more dynamic moves.
Pumping
Ever wonder how surfers generate speed on a wave? That’s where pumping comes in. This move involves shifting your weight up and down on the wave face, using gravity and board control to keep the momentum going.
Think of it as a series of small, controlled jumps along the wave—each movement helps maintain speed and power, so you don’t lose the wave too early.
Carving
Carving is all about smooth, flowing turns on the open face of the wave. To do this, you’ll need to:
🔹 Shift your weight over the rail of your board.
🔹 Engage the rail deep into the water.
🔹 Draw a smooth arc as you redirect your board.
This move is not just stylish—it also helps you stay in the wave’s power zone while maintaining speed.
Intermediate Surfing Maneuvers
Bottom Turn
The bottom turn is the foundation of good surfing. It’s usually the first move surfers make after popping up, setting them up for speed and positioning on the wave.
Here’s how to do it:
✅ Look in the direction you want to turn.
✅ Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight balanced.
✅ Apply gentle pressure with your toes or heels as the rail of your board engages with the wave.
A solid bottom turn gives you the momentum to carve through the wave smoothly and set up for your next move.
Snap (Re-entry)
A snap is a sudden, powerful turn at the top of the wave, throwing a spray of water into the air. It’s a dramatic move that shows control and aggression.
To pull it off:
⚡ Start with a strong bottom turn to gain speed.
⚡ Approach the lip of the wave at a 30–50 degree angle.
⚡ Pivot sharply by rotating your shoulders and pushing your back foot down hard.
If done right, this move creates an epic water spray and redirects your board back down the wave.
Cutback
Sometimes you might race too far ahead of the wave and need to cut back toward the breaking part (also known as the “power source” of the wave).
Here’s how:
✔️ Shift your weight onto your back foot.
✔️ Lean your upper body back toward the breaking wave.
✔️ As your board’s rail digs into the water, turn your head and shoulders to follow the new direction.
A well-executed cutback keeps you in the pocket of the wave, so you can keep riding for longer!
Foam Climb
If you get stuck in the whitewash, don’t panic—just climb your way back to the open face of the wave!
🌊 Build as much speed as possible.
🌊 Do a long bottom turn, angling up toward the breaking section.
🌊 Ride over the foam and transition smoothly back onto the open wave face.
It’s a useful trick for regaining control and staying in the ride.
Noseriding (For Longboarders)
Noseriding is a stylish longboarding trick where you move toward the front of your board while gliding on the wave. There are two main styles:
🏄 Hang Five – One foot hangs over the nose.
🏄 Hang Ten – Both feet are on the nose.
Mastering noseriding takes time, balance, and the right kind of wave, but it’s one of the most iconic maneuvers in longboarding.
Advanced Surfing Maneuvers
Barrel Ride (Tube Ride)
Riding inside the barrel of a wave is the ultimate goal for many surfers—it’s the purest, most thrilling experience in surfing.
The key? Speed and positioning.
🌪️ If you’re too fast, you’ll exit too early.
🌪️ If you’re too slow, the wave will close out on you.
Staying low, reading the wave, and making small adjustments will help you find the perfect line through the barrel.
Aerials
Aerials take surfing into the air, launching off the lip of the wave and landing back on the face. They require speed, timing, and lots of practice. Some popular variations include:
🚀 Air Reverse – Rotating mid-air before landing.
🚀 360 & 540 Spins – Full spins in the air.
🚀 Backflips – The ultimate high-flying move!
This trick separates advanced surfers from the rest, as it takes incredible board control and confidence to land cleanly.
Ready to Take Your Surfing to the Next Level?
Whether you’re just starting out or pushing into more advanced moves, the key to progression is practice, patience, and having fun. Watch experienced surfers, study their techniques, and spend as much time in the water as possible.
The more waves you catch, the better you’ll get—so grab your board, hit the waves, and enjoy the ride! 🌊🤙