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How (and why) to angle your takeoff
If youâre still perfecting your takeoff & arenât yet angling it (or still learning how) this oneâs for you.
Angling your takeoff is a foundational aspect of your surfing & is used by all skill levels â from beginners to pros â so itâs definitely something you want to add to your repertoire.
đ€ Why is angling your takeoff so important though? Hereâs a few reasons:
More time to pop up
One of the main reasons why you want to angle your takeoff is b/c it gives you more time to actually get to your feet as youâll already be trimming along the face of the wave.
Faster down the line
Another main reason is that youâll be able to get down the line faster than if you didnât angle your take off. This is great for faster breaking waves, getting around a section, or if you constantly find yourself getting caught behind the wave before you even had a chance to get going.
Steeper or later takeoffs
Itâs also great for taking off on steeper waves or making later takeoffs. As your surfing advances, itâs also a key aspect of learning to get barreled or fading your takeoff.
đ Now that you know why itâs important, hereâs how to actually do it:
Look down the line
You want to be looking where you want to go, which is a common thing in surfing (and life đ ) in general. If you look towards the bottom of the wave, thatâs where youâll end up. So instead, look down the line in the direction you want to go.
Lean on your inside rail
By leaning on your inside rail youâll be setting the board up âin trimâ. Maintain this inside rail pressure even as you get to your feet. Too much pressure & you may go over the back, not enough & youâll end up in the flats. Play around with it though & youâll find what works best.
Find the right angle
Youâll have to play around with what angle works, but the steeper the wave the more angle you can take. Another helpful tip is the closer to the pocket/peak of the wave, the more angle you can take. If youâre over on the shoulder & angling too much, youâll most likely miss the wave completely.
đŹ Are you familiar with angling your takeoff? How has it improved your surfing?
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