Surfing isn’t just about standing up on a wave—it’s about moving with it, feeling the energy, and throwing down some sick maneuvers. Whether you’re carving lines, blasting through sections, or gliding on the nose of a longboard, knowing how to read the wave and react with the right moves is key to keeping your ride smooth and stylish.
Some maneuvers help you maintain speed, while others put you in the perfect spot to tap into the wave’s power. Let’s break down the essential ones every intermediate surfer should master.
The Core Surf Maneuvers
If you’re progressing beyond just riding straight to the shore, these are the fundamental maneuvers you need in your toolkit:
1. Bottom Turn – Setting Up the Wave
The bottom turn is one of the most important moves in surfing. After dropping in, this is your first major turn, allowing you to transition from the wave’s trough back up to the face. A strong bottom turn sets up everything—whether you’re aiming for a cutback, a snap, or even getting barreled.
💥 What can go wrong?
- Leaning too hard without enough speed = wipeout.
- Turning too late = missing the wave face.
- Letting the rail catch = losing control.
2. Top Turn – Redirecting with Style
Once you hit the top of the wave, a smooth top turn keeps your ride flowing. It helps you stay in the pocket, repositioning you for the next section. A well-executed top turn can be a setup for a re-entry or even a stylish hack that throws some spray.
⚠️ Common mistakes:
- Over-leaning and catching a rail.
- Not carrying enough speed into the turn.
3. Cutback – Keeping You in the Power Zone
Ever found yourself racing too far ahead of the breaking wave? That’s where a cutback comes in. This maneuver brings you back towards the curl, helping you regain momentum and tap back into the wave’s energy.
❌ Mistakes to avoid:
- Leaning too hard without enough speed = instant fall.
- Cutting back too late and getting stuck in the flats.
- Letting the rail dig too deep, causing you to lose flow.
4. Snap (Re-Entry) – Attacking the Lip
A re-entry is all about hitting the lip, rebounding off it, and coming back down smoothly. It’s a more aggressive move that keeps you close to the wave’s power while adding some flair to your surfing.
🔥 Things that can go wrong:
- Hitting the lip too late, losing control mid-air.
- Catching your rail on the way down.
- Going too slow, missing the timing of the wave.
5. Foam Climb – Escaping the Whitewash
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.
This move is a game-changer when you’re caught behind a crumbling section. It helps you stay in control and continue your ride instead of getting left behind.
6. Noseriding (For Longboarders) – The Art of Style
For longboarders, noseriding is the ultimate expression of flow and control. It’s all about shifting your weight forward and balancing on the nose of your board as you glide down the line.
🏄 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—ideally a peeling, slower-breaking wave with a nice, clean face. But once you get it down, nothing feels smoother than hanging ten and cruising effortlessly along the wave.
Linking Maneuvers: The Key to Fluid Surfing
Great surfing isn’t just about pulling off one move—it’s about seamlessly connecting them. A solid bottom turn can set you up for a powerful top turn. A well-timed cutback keeps you from outrunning the wave. Every maneuver should flow into the next, keeping your ride smooth and effortless.
Once you’ve nailed these fundamental moves, you can start adding more advanced techniques like roundhouse cutbacks, snaps, and tube rides. The key? Always stay in rhythm with the wave, read its energy, and make every turn count.
So next time you paddle out, don’t just focus on making the drop—think about where you want to go next. With practice, these maneuvers will become second nature, and your surfing will reach a whole new level.
🏄♂️ Now go hit the waves and make every ride count!