This ultimate tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to the frontside snap, using multiple camera angles and a surf skate simulation. The focus is on the crucial setup (deep bottom turn), precise timing at the lip, and the rotation mechanics required to successfully whip the board back down the wave face.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Snap Types
The three main snap types are the Minor snap (horizontal), the Standard snap (vertical and the main focus), and the Critical snap (12 o’clock/fin release). All require a lip to hit.
Deep Bottom Turn Setup
The secret to the bottom turn for a frontside snap is making it really deep to maximize vertical drive. A great habit is to try pointing your nose to the beach before the bottom turn to fade it and get deeper.
Speed and Compression
You need a medium amount of speed (about one to two pumps) and must stay super compressed during the bottom turn to maintain all that speed for the top turn.
Timing the Hit
Time the snap so your back foot is pushing against the lip. Anywhere in the “green section” (just as the nose is about to go above the lip) is the sweet spot for maximum effect.
Upper Body Rotation
Start by loading up the trailing arm behind you. As you go up the wave, throw the trailing arm around to the toe side rail, and open the leading arm back toward the beach. The chest must stay centered over the board’s stringer.
Landing and Recovery
After pushing all your weight on the back foot into the lip, immediately transfer the weight back onto the front foot to make sure you stay on the wave and compress to make it back down the face.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Bad Timing
Going too late results in getting stuck up in the lip, and going too early means you will not even connect with the lip. You must find the sweet spot.
Not Rotating Enough
This is fixed by loading up the trailing arm and throwing it onto your toe side rail to create the necessary rotation and twist.
Not Staying Centered
Not staying centered over your board usually happens from a lack of speed or when you get to the section too late, causing a loss of balance.