Got to chatting with Felix P. a while back while waiting on the wind, never knew that he was a goofy foot surfer. Reo Stevens is a goofy as well, I had known that for a while and it always tripped me out. I know both of those guys windsurfed, so the normal thing was to ride switch on the wave like when us regular footers go to Diamond Head from the North Shore...anyway, it just blows my mind watching those guys rip apart Mokule'ia and Backyards with perfect surf form, all on their "weak" side. Seriously think about it the next time you see footage of those guys, it's pretty incredible. I just thought that was really impressive and wanted to share, I'll stop stroking those guys off now...
I've kited there and what's even more impressive is that it's super shallow and covered in reef EVERYWHERE! Respect...
I used to be a pesky esky lidder! Eppo was the man! So was Mike.... Bodyboarding was big in Geraldton pre 2000.
Anyway- got to a point, wasn't progressing after a few trips to Indo and about 5 years in the sport.
So I grew a set and started surfing. Dad had an old Stone surfboard in the shed, 6 foot 6 and 5 inches thick. I remember when learning to surf, I had no idea if I was natural or goofie.
So I just rode on my forehand on lefts and rights for a few years.
I have made myself a goofie footer now, but thinking of changing as I now live on the Sunny Coast and we have more rights here.
My 6 year old is surfing goofy and skateboarding regular. He snowboards mostly goofy but rides both ways and rides the t-bar regular. Im thinking its a good thing that he's learning at a young age to switch it up and have both feel natural. Personally i ride regular and love cracking my backhand on the waves but like to ride switch unhooked and unstrapped for a challenge and to mix it up. Fun to ride backhand and forehand on same wave or alternate waves.
I always trip out on my few friends who would skate one way and snowboard the other, I can't wrap my head around it but it must be good for progression. I also always see videos of places around the world and think, man that place would be sick if it were the opposite tack.
Select to expand quoteJKimbler said..
I always trip out on my few friends who would skate one way and snowboard the other, I can't wrap my head around it but it must be good for progression. I also always see videos of places around the world and think, man that place would be sick if it were the opposite tack.
It's actually not that weird I think.
When i learnt to snowboard I could only ride down the mountain switch properly on my first attempt. I believe this is due to the regular back foot being used to bear most of the weight when riding on a skateboard (or most other boardsports).
When Snowboarding a lot more weight is needed over the front of the board, so naturally riding switch feels easier as this is actually how most people ride switch (or fakie) i.e. standing more over the nose than they would do in their natural stance.
p.s. I could also foil better on my switch to begin with as well (same thing I guess).
Peahi, my switch side is my strong jumping side too, even when I only windsurfed I noticed my regular side jumps were crap! Now I have certain tricks/grabs that definitely work better for me on certain sides.
