Switching Stance?

by **Hanalei** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 2:31 am

I have always surfed regular foot. However, when playing around on a skateboard the other day, I discovered that goofy foot feels way more comfortable on the skateboard than regular does. I also found something similar to a balance beam, and tried standing in a surf stance for a bit on each side. i discovered my balance feels quite a bit better on my goofy foot side. But when I pop up while surfing, I naturally go with my left foot in front, and trying to pop up on the other side feels somewhat awkward. Is it normal to have your surf stance and everything else stances be different? Or should I really be surfing goofy foot?

**Sponsor**

by **billie_morini** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 5:09 am

yes, it is natural that someone does some things right-handed and some things left-handed. When surfing, I have found this: if wave are small and lack power, I naturally pop up as a goofy foot. When the waves are larger and more powerful, I naturally pop up as a regular. It does no harm. When i was a kid, I'd occassionally switch left and right when batting in little league baseball. It messed with the pitchers and I could hit OK with my weak hand (left). Tell you this: if you can surf either way, then you are good to go no matter which way the waves break. No rules here. Just go with what works for you.

by **drowningbitbybit** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 9:57 pm

I surf natural, and skate goofy... neither work for me the other way around.

by **surf patrol** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:08 am

Do whatever feels the best. I'm goofy on my surfboard and skateboard, I'd love to be able to do either natural footed. No such luck (or skill) though.
I do everything right handed apart from write, I normally use my left hand for writing, can use my right, and prefer to use my right when writing on a blackboard or similar.

Switch stance plays a big part in skateboarding these days.

by **JohnG** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:59 pm

I actually dreamt about this last night. I am goofy foot but was thinking about standing up regular foot. Maybe I will try this next time I surf just to see what happens besides bailing.

by **frreako104** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:33 pm

It might seem odd but if it is what works, go with it. No harm in experimenting with other stances though

by **drowningbitbybit** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:58 pm

Definitely go for it... but experience says that the moment you try, you'll work out why you surf the way you do and not the other way around :shock:

(we need an emoticon for somebody wiping out).

by **jaffa1949** » Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:53 am

frreako104 wrote:It might seem odd but if it is what works, go with it. No harm in experimenting with other stances though

So true, but be really quick in getting rid of the ugly poo stance ASAP. :surfing:

by **asw222** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 2:18 pm

I skate regular
I surf goofy

I feel like I'd be a better surfer if I was regular rather than goofy given my right foot being back has a lot more control on a skateboard then my left.

I am righty in everything I do, except surfing

Im pretty far along as a surfer being goofy footed, I can hit pretty good turns but I still feel like I should be regular because of how I skate

Opinions/Advice?
Anyone else skate regular, surf goofy?

by **Johno** » Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:06 pm

Ha ha think some one has read my mind!! I too have the same problem!

I surf reg, skate goofy and I feel like i would have such more control if i surf goofy.

When skate long boarding goofy i can hit the lip 180 deg but strugel in the surf coz i feel like i dont have the balance

i cant pop up right foot forward (goffy)ive started trying to change my skating stance to left foot foward by doing what we used to call in the old days tick tac but it all just feels un-nateral

its so frustrating any one got any ideas?

by **Glide** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:01 pm

With the right wave conditions, Switch foot surfing can be a beautiful thing to watch and fun to practice too. Try a switch foot cut back or right go left. Hang 5 with the left foot then swith to right. FUN STUFF!!!
"Don't just stand there, leave the room, take a chance and change your tune"
Glide

by **avaviney** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:19 am

I surf really awkward. As long as I can stand up on the board, i am happy.

by **garbarrage** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:03 pm

I have a mate who can surf both ways (annoying to watch as it is). Personally though I think he is missing out surfing backhand as there are skills to be learned from backhand surfing. I make a point every so often of choosing lefts for weeks at a time, then when I return to surfing rights, it's like I've magically improved.

As to your question, I think like most things in surfing, you'll find out the hard way yourself which one doesn't work. Or you'll find you are gifted at both. Just don't neglect your backhand if you do..

Switching Stance?

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