Surf Glossary - T: From Take Off to Tube Ride
Take Off
The Take Off is the moment when surfing, where you stand up on the surfboard to surf the waves while standing.
The take off is not easy to learn at the beginning. Important is a fluent and fast sequence of movements.
At Take Off you push yourself up after the paddle movement. You support both hands on the height of the chest on the board, pushes the arms through and tries to get to his feet with a quick jump. Who stands with the right leg in the front is called Goofy or Goofy Footer when surfing, who stands with his left leg on the front of the board is called Regular or Natural.
Important in the Take Off is the timing. Do not get up too early, because then you will stop paddling too early and you will not have enough speed to really get carried away by the wave.
You can also practice the take off "dry". Lie down on your stomach. Keep body tension, this is important because it gives you the necessary stability later on the board.
It is also important that you are in the right place of the surfboard. Imagine a centerline (if no stringer exists) and position yourself neither too far forward nor too far back on the board. With Malibu boards one says, one should be able to touch the board end with the feet. Over time you will get a better and better feel for the right position on the surfboard and you will not need donkey bridges anymore.
Even when paddling you can do a lot wrong. Do long paddle moves along the board. Keep your legs closed so the water can not run between your legs and throw you forward. Keep your fingers open a bit when paddling. You displace more water and move faster.
Now the time has come. You are right on the board and behind you a wave is building up. Paddle properly and brace yourself off Brett at the level of your shoulders.
Once supported, push your chest upwards. Always look forward. This is important so that you also drive forward. Now jump in one movement on the board so that you come to a halt to the side. To be stable, you should stand about shoulder-wide in the middle of the surfboard. The knees slightly bent and the upper body slightly turned in the direction of travel.
You always look forward during the whole process of getting up, otherwise you lose your balance. It is important that you have the center of gravity always in the middle of the board during the entire movement process.
Always focus on your body tension and do not paddle randomly into any wave or foam roller. Always make sure that you are well balanced. Take your time and be completely in the thing. When you get tired, take short breaks.
Most importantly, above all, do not give up. The take off at home on the floor is easy. There are many factors on the board that may overwhelm you in their entirety.
Here is: practice makes perfect. Do not measure yourself to others from your class. Each person has a different pace of learning and with a little patience, you will soon be standing your first waves standing.
Of course, the take off varies in its difficulty later. This depends on how steep or fast a wave is. Often you have to overcome yourselves a rapid "descent" to head for. Practice safety and trust in yourself. And remember: you need speed, so paddle vigorously and cleanly and pull again, if you already think the wave has already caught you.
Tail
The tail of a surfboard is at the end and is thus opposite the nose. We got to know different nose shapes and of course the tail plays an important role. One differentiates between the following forms:
- Pin tail
- Round tail
- Square Tail / Squash Tail
- Swallow Tail / V Tail
Threesixty
... is a very difficult maneuver, which requires a lot of speed and more coordination. In the Threesixty, the surfer turns his surfboard 360 degrees, that is, around his own axis.
Top Turn
A top turn is a turn in the upper part of the wave. It is the second turn after the bottom turn and can have different functions. Often you use the top turn to build speed, because after the top turn you can go down the wave again.
Transport
By transport we mean the transport of surfboards on trips or to the beach.
For the safe transport of surfboards, there are so-called Boardbags.You can buy them in all sizes and colors in almost every surf shop.
One differentiates between the so-called board socks and the "right" boardbags.
Board socks are mainly used for transport to the beach. They should protect the board from sand and sunlight.
Boardbags often have a carrying strap. You can use them when traveling. They come in a simpler design with space for a surfboard or space for multiple surfboards.
You should always pad your surfboard when traveling. In the hardware store you can buy upholstery, otherwise just take your clothes. Always wraps the delicate tip, tail and rails of your board. If you have removable fins, it is advisable to remove them beforehand so they will not break off during transport.
To pad out the board bag you can take towels, your wetsuit, t-shirts, pants and anything that protects the board from knocks and damage. Remember, airlines do not always squeamish about your sports equipment. The inscription "fragile" is informative, but so far ineffective, since you in the event of damage due to the sticker initially no damages. If your board breaks or has a damaged area after the flight, contact the airlines. But you have to do this immediately after the flight, otherwise any claim for damages expires.
So take the trouble and unpack your board shortly after landing and examine it.
At the beach you should never expose your board to the sun for too long. Sun harms the material from which the surfboard is made. Also, you should not put it with the waxed side up, otherwise the wax runs fast and you have to apply new wax again. If the wax melts, a short "cooling" of the board in the water often helps.
Dive your board to just once near the beach shortly below.
Never throw your board carelessly on the ground, pay attention to stones and hard ground and treat your sports equipment with care.
Sometimes you see people pulling their board carelessly on the beach behind them on the leash. This should also be avoided, because your leash is in doubt your "salvation" in the water. Check the leash regularly for breakage and cracks.
Small tip: If you have forgotten your sleeping bag - In a board bag it can also sleep wonderfully ...
Tube ride
A ride through the tube requires a lot of skill and is the dream of every surfer. To get into a tube, you need a lot of speed, feel for the waves and a particularly good timing. If you are in the tube, depending on the height of the wave you are either very crouched or standing upright.
Turn
A turn is nothing more than a change of direction, so to go a curve with the surfboard. There are many different turns. You can also find some of them in this glossary, for example the bottom turn.