More on Getting Down

I think the compression how-to info in the post a bit down below is one of the most important tips to come my way in a long time. Already people trying it out are reporting back with improvements in their surfing; to wit, Stoneaxe aka Bob:

I was thinking about this thread today and focused my efforts on trying to compress. What a difference….first I fell a lot….then I made a few hard turns that just felt so right. The waves today were chest high and glassy…perfect for me to practice on. I just kept focusing on bottom turns…getting low and pushing off as I entered the turn….big improvement….thanks.

Are You Compressing Enough?

Dog on SUP!

I swear to God there’s been such a lack of how-to-SUP stuff on the ‘net that it’s driving me batty. Come on, people: mo’ how-to, okay? Meanwhile, the best I can do is show this great shot. I love it!

Cross Stepping on an Inflatable!

Want to see someone who *really* knows how to cross step on a SUP, then check out this video of Tim Mellors of Custard Point Surfboards in the U.K. Wowza, can he ride or what? Notice how small the steps are he takes, how delicately he puts his feet down, and how when he walks his shoulders don’t bob up and down. Great stuff. BTW, in this vid, he’s riding one of his company’s new line of inflatable stand up boards. Beautiful!

Wind — then Unwind!

As a follow up on the Zone to Byron’s compression post, comes this from Weasels wake about … uncompressing. Good stuff!

Compression followed by extension~
Stay compressed down the line or entering you first bottom turn, then extend (straighten out the whole body) as you go thru the apex of the turn (at the bottom of the wave), do it hard and you will squirt out of the bottom turn with increased speed. The harder you extend out of the compression, the harder you are stepping on the gas pedel.
Water doesn’t compress, so you can use it as a spring, as you compress against it.
Compression, extension, compression , extension, not only are you ripping your waves, you are giving you thighs a great workout.
Short board stuff, applied to the sweeping.
Gotta love it. Wink

Are You Compressing Enough?

Bend at the Knees, Not the Waist!

Byron (not Bryon, ha ha!) just posted this on the Zone, a few tips that Blane Chambers wrote for Byron to pass onto his son. It’s about compression and the value of compression when SUP surfing. Check it out. It’s a great how-to post … finally a new one!!!

When I look at Noahs surfing I see a lot of average tendencies but because of his age I know he has oogles of potential and know he will become insane one day. The main thing that stands out is he surfs a bit upright most of the time which is a very typical thing for most surfers. Bending at the waist more than at the knees when attempting to get low is a common thing.
Compressing the body is the key. Start young and it will be the single best adjustment he ever makes. The difference in all the top pro surfers and the average guy is they understand when and how to compress their bodies. Notice how they come to the bottom of a wave they are really compressed with their knees bent a lot. They can un-coil with a lot of range OR pull in with a nice compressed stance… Noah bends his knees but could take it further. This will enable him in the future to really utilize his power. Once he gets the feel of true compressing, weighting and un-weighting he will get better in leaps and bounds in all aspect of his surfing.
Best practice for pulling in is to …

Stoneaxe Feeling the Axe!

I know, I know, no how-to here, but I’m serious: the flow has slowed to a non-existent trickle. What can I do but post the occasional picture until things heat up again? Anyway, here’s one from Bob, aka Stoneaxe on the Zone, taken with a GoPro. Bet you haven’t seen this angle before!

Walrus sighted at Kanaha - finally some waves!

One more cool shot …

Not exactly how-to, but you can see in this picture how deeply you can commit when laying back on your paddle. I don’t know if he made but but I bet he did. Sweet!

A Nice Cheater Five …

Sorry about the lack of updates recently. I’ve been busy and the flow of how-to info on the ‘net seems to have slowed as well. I post ‘em as I see ‘em, and I haven’t seen much of late. So, anywhere, here’s a cool little pic to pass the time:

CENTRAL COAST FUN