This tutorial breaks down the bottom turn by focusing on the physics of rail-to-rail surfing. It explains that water adheres to the rail (the Coandă effect), which provides hold and lift. The core principle is to get the rail into the water at the right section of the wave to leverage the wave’s energy and make surfing effortless.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Rail Hold (Coandă Effect)
When water flows around a surfboard rail, it adheres to the rail, which is how surfers get hold on the bottom turn. This is similar to how air follows an airplane wing’s shape (aerodynamics) [0:38].
Lift and Wave Energy
The concept of the bottom turn is to help you get **lift** to go back up to the top of the wave again. This is achieved by tapping into the water that is naturally drawing up off the bottom of the wave [1:22].
Simple Lean for Turn
The simplest way to enact a bottom turn is by leaning over the rail. The more you lean over, the more weightless you become, and the easier it is for the water drawing up the wave face to lift the board higher [2:37].
Acceleration and Drag Reduction
When you lean over the rail, the board starts to accelerate because you reduce drag. Being on rail and reducing drag is crucial, similar to how an airplane reduces drag to accelerate [9:50].
Rail-to-Rail Surfing
Good surfing is rail-to-rail. The best surfers minimize the transition time they spend standing flat on the board and maximize the time spent on rail (either toe edge or heel edge) to accelerate out of turns [10:46].
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect Section Timing
Attempting the bottom turn at the wrong section of the wave means you fail to tap into the part where water is drawing up off the bottom, thereby eliminating the lift you need.
Over-Utilizing the Fins
Standing flat or trying to use the fin for the bottom turn is incorrect. When flat, one fin cancels out the other, and the fins cause drag. Leaning on the rail engages the rocker and reduces drag, making the turn easier [3:55].
Standing Flat on the Board
The biggest misconception is that you’re supposed to stand and balance on your board. Standing flat maximizes drag and makes the rocker slow you down [9:36].