This tutorial breaks down the frontside floater maneuver into nine steps, analyzing how professional surfer Jordy Smith executes the move. The key focus is on weight shifting to climb the lip, riding the lip with a weightless, counterbalanced stance, and using upper-body rotation to drop back down the wave face.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Floater Purpose
Floaters are used for two main purposes: floating over a breaking section to continue the ride, or floating to finish your ride on a closeout section.
Eye Your Path and Open Body
The first step is to eye your path, then open your shoulders and body towards the section you intend to float.
Weight Shifting for Entry
Initially, keep weight on the back foot to guide the board with your front foot. Then, slowly shift your weight onto the front foot as you approach the lip.
The Weightless Glide
While riding along the lip, counterbalance your weight and keep the board as flat as possible. The goal is to be as weightless as you can while staying low and compressed.
Chest and Head Position
Keep your chest forward and look in the direction of where you want to go to continue the forward momentum of the maneuver.
Exit Rotation
To transition off the lip, turn your left arm, head, and shoulders towards the beach, and your board will follow this rotation.
Landing Compression
Place more pressure on your **back foot** and compress low as you drop down the lip. Shift your weight over to the center of your board, staying low on impact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Shifting Weight Correctly
Failing to shift weight to the back foot on approach, and then evenly distributing it on the lip, will cause the board to get pushed down or prevent the nose from climbing the whitewater.
Losing Momentum
Not keeping your chest slightly over the board while on the lip will cause you to lose momentum and stop the floater short.
Lack of Rotation on Exit
If you fail to open your lead arm and turn your head/shoulders toward the beach, the board will not follow, leading to a clumsy or incomplete exit.