Surfboard positioning for beginners in 3 simple steps
Lesson 14
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Introduction
What is the sweet spot and how can it improve your surfing?
The “sweet spot” guides you in how to position yourself on a surfboard for the ideal surfboard positioning. It helps you balance better on your surfboard, making it easier for you to stay steady and not fall off, even when the waves are moving. It also helps you move in the water with as little resistance as possible, limiting drag. This will significantly improve your paddling and help you catch more waves.
Surfboard positioning in 3 simple steps
1. Position your body along the stringer of the board
How to do it:
Start by laying flat on your stomach on the surfboard, ensuring your body aligns with the stringer. The stringer is the strip that runs down the center of the board (learn more about the surfboard’s anatomy in this article).
Why you should do it:
This position helps you stay in the middle of the board horizontally, ensuring that you’re centered and balanced and don’t fall off the sides of the board.
2. Keep the board's nose above the waterline with your head and chest up
How to do it:
Now, slide your body up or down the board until the nose barely peeks out of the water, ideally between 2-5 cm (1-2 inches), while keeping your head and chest up to the extent that a football would fit between your chin and the surfboard. This will help you find the right vertical position.
To ensure you’re in the correct position, you can perform two separate tests:
- Lean your upper body far back in a cobra pose. When doing this, the nose of your board should stick out of the water between 2-5 cm (1-2 inches).
- Rest your chin on the board. When doing this, the nose of the board should go underwater.
A general tip for beginners is to have your feet near the tail of the board when lying on it. However, it’s important to keep in mind that surfboards and people vary in size and shape, so there’s no one-size-fits-all position that works for everyone.
Why you should do it:
Finding the right vertical position not only aids in maintaining balance and stability on your board but also minimizes drag and resistance while paddling. This allows for faster paddling and conserves energy.
3. Keep your feet together, touching the board
How to do it:
Why you should do it:
Lesson quiz: test your knowledge
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