This tutorial features professional surfer CJ Hobgood breaking down the floater, a versatile maneuver used for clearing sections, generating speed, or bleeding off excessive speed. He details the correct line, weight distribution, and head position for successful execution on both frontside and backside waves.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Floater Purpose
The floater serves three main purposes: clearing a breaking section to set up the next turn, setting up for a maneuver, or sometimes to bleed off excess speed you might have.
The Line and Turn
Avoid doing a big bottom turn when setting up. Instead, draw a high line and approach the lip mid-face.
Momentum and Weight Shift
As you launch onto the floater, keep your momentum going forward. You may lift your front foot up and shift your weight back initially, but the goal is to drive your weight and momentum forward.
Head and Eye Position (Critical)
The most crucial tip for both backside and frontside floaters is to always keep your head and eyes down the line where you want to go. Never look at the back of the wave or the beach.
Two Exit Options
On the lip, you must choose between two outcomes:
1) Come off and boogie down the line to start a new series of maneuvers, or
2) Drop straight to the bottom (weight on the back foot) to set up a big bottom turn.
Sign of a Good Floater
A correct floater is one where you come off just as quick as you went on, and you are actually going faster, which results in a feeling of great speed over your board.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using a Big Bottom Turn
Do not use a big, deep bottom turn to set up a floater, as this will bleed off too much speed and redirect you too vertically.
Losing Momentum
Coming into the floater without continuous forward momentum will cause you to stall or fall as you hit the lip.
Looking Away
Failing to keep your head and eyes focused down the line will cause your body to follow your gaze, resulting in a loss of line and control.