How to do a Backside Closeout Snap
Andy Irons once said, “…the ending of a wave is as important as the beginning.” Of course, this matters most if you are surfing for money and points, but if you want to surf a wave completely and utilize all its potential, then the closeout section is a vital area of the wave for your consideration, especially if you primarily surf beachbreaks. Heck, the closeout might be your only chance for some vertical action.
In today’s state of performance, the closeout is prime real estate for aerial maneuvers, but you can also get a lot of bang from a well-timed backside snap off the closeout section. So let’s get started.
As with any move in surfing, you want to start with lots of speed. [How do get more speed?] This will help you with getting that timing element just right. So get moving fast as you approach the area where the lip is falling (the oncoming section) and the two sections are meeting. It’s crucial to note that while a shallow reef bottom could factor in to how much caution you want to throw to the wind if the waves are large. But for this situation, let’s say you shoot for sections that are up to 6-8 feet up the face and over relatively deep water (which is nonsensical since the wave is closing out and it needs shallow water in order for this this to happen). Anyway, for the record, an 8 foot closeout section can pummel your savagely if you don’t approach it properly.
But here’s the deal: you don’t have to bash the lip in order to make this move look spectacular.
In fact, really connecting with a vertical closeout will often times get you thrown into the flats or thrown off your board unbalanced and ragged. However, if you lightly touch the oncoming section with the bottom of your board, the fins and tail coming off the lip will displace plenty of water for a cool look and the smooth but light bank off the lip will enable you to drop back down into the trough before the lip explodes behind you.
Again, in other words, keep your eye firmly on the upper corner of the closeout section as you approach it. Using your velocity and staying around the mid-point of the wave, put pressure on the tail of your board. In your mind, think about your fins. They need to be fully engaged. This is not an aerial maneuver. Instead, think about keeping your board in full contact as you lift your nose by lessening the pressure on your front foot. Keep your whole body loose at this point since you want the wave to do all the work.
As your nose lifts, you should connect with the oncoming section laterally, but almost immediately start turning your head down towards the tough of the wave (your landing pad) to begin your descent. In bigger surf, you want the snap and drop to be as smooth as possible (in smaller waves, an abrupt air drop from a snap is more dramatic, but in bigger surf, you will lessen your chance of making it).
The key is to let your body stay loose and flexible as you connect with the power of the oncoming section. This will let you absorb the shock and flow into the trough quickly and smoothly. If you try to bank with full force, the odds are you will be thrown off balance and tumble off your board. Not cool. Once you land, put a bit more pressure on the tail to make your landing firm and avoid getting knocked down by the exploding whitewater behind you. Now, just chill and drop your shoulders like none off it was a big deal and ride it out towards the beach or better yet, drop off your board and go get another one. Now, go rip!
In today’s state of performance, the closeout is prime real estate for aerial maneuvers, but you can also get a lot of bang from a well-timed backside snap off the closeout section. So let’s get started.
As with any move in surfing, you want to start with lots of speed. [How do get more speed?] This will help you with getting that timing element just right. So get moving fast as you approach the area where the lip is falling (the oncoming section) and the two sections are meeting. It’s crucial to note that while a shallow reef bottom could factor in to how much caution you want to throw to the wind if the waves are large. But for this situation, let’s say you shoot for sections that are up to 6-8 feet up the face and over relatively deep water (which is nonsensical since the wave is closing out and it needs shallow water in order for this this to happen). Anyway, for the record, an 8 foot closeout section can pummel your savagely if you don’t approach it properly.
But here’s the deal: you don’t have to bash the lip in order to make this move look spectacular.
In fact, really connecting with a vertical closeout will often times get you thrown into the flats or thrown off your board unbalanced and ragged. However, if you lightly touch the oncoming section with the bottom of your board, the fins and tail coming off the lip will displace plenty of water for a cool look and the smooth but light bank off the lip will enable you to drop back down into the trough before the lip explodes behind you.
Again, in other words, keep your eye firmly on the upper corner of the closeout section as you approach it. Using your velocity and staying around the mid-point of the wave, put pressure on the tail of your board. In your mind, think about your fins. They need to be fully engaged. This is not an aerial maneuver. Instead, think about keeping your board in full contact as you lift your nose by lessening the pressure on your front foot. Keep your whole body loose at this point since you want the wave to do all the work.
As your nose lifts, you should connect with the oncoming section laterally, but almost immediately start turning your head down towards the tough of the wave (your landing pad) to begin your descent. In bigger surf, you want the snap and drop to be as smooth as possible (in smaller waves, an abrupt air drop from a snap is more dramatic, but in bigger surf, you will lessen your chance of making it).
The key is to let your body stay loose and flexible as you connect with the power of the oncoming section. This will let you absorb the shock and flow into the trough quickly and smoothly. If you try to bank with full force, the odds are you will be thrown off balance and tumble off your board. Not cool. Once you land, put a bit more pressure on the tail to make your landing firm and avoid getting knocked down by the exploding whitewater behind you. Now, just chill and drop your shoulders like none off it was a big deal and ride it out towards the beach or better yet, drop off your board and go get another one. Now, go rip!
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