Why Speed Is the Secret Ingredient for Better Turns in Surfing

Ben Considine

When we think about improving our turns on a surfboard—especially on a longboard—our minds usually go straight to technique. We drill down on body rotation, back foot pressure, rail engagement, and upper body movement. These are all critical elements, but there’s one foundational element that often gets overlooked: speed.

Why Speed Matters in Surf Turns

Speed is what fuels powerful, smooth, and controlled maneuvers. Without it, even the best mechanics will fall flat. Here's why speed is so important:

  1. Momentum for Maneuvering
    Turns require energy, and that energy comes from your speed. With more speed, you're able to push through the back foot, engage the rail, and drive through the turn with flow and style. Without it, your board will bog down or stall out mid-turn.

  2. Balance and Stability
    Speed helps create a more stable platform under your feet. The faster you're moving, the easier it is to maintain balance through dynamic movements, like weight shifts and body rotations.

  3. Maintaining Flow
    Good surfing is about rhythm and flow. Speed before and after the turn helps you stay in sync with the wave, allowing you to connect maneuvers smoothly and keep your line moving down the face.

The Key Concept: Speed In, Speed Out

One of the most effective ways to think about this is: "Speed going in, speed coming out."
You need to be generating speed before the turn—whether it’s by trimming, pumping, or using the wave’s energy. And after the turn, you need to come out with enough momentum to keep moving and set up the next section or maneuver.

How to Practice This

  • Watch your wave selection. Steeper waves give you more opportunity to gain and maintain speed.

  • Focus on generating speed early. Before you even start thinking about turning, make sure you're trimming, positioning, and using the wave efficiently.

  • Visualize the turn as part of a flow, not a single event. Think about how you're entering and exiting, not just what happens during the turn.

Final Thoughts

If your turns feel sluggish, weak, or disconnected, check your speed. Even the most technically sound surfer will struggle to perform dynamic turns without enough momentum. Next time you're in the water, shift your focus: generate speed before the turn, carry it through, and exit the maneuver with flow.

Without speed, your turns simply won’t go very far.

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