Surf Riding Question

Maine Coast

Maine Coast

X-
Location
Nortern Maine
i admit that i have never ridden surf BUT this spring i am going to make it happen, im going to drive to where i need to be to ride it, but i have some questions... i was just watching the X-Slide vid from St. Martin... and i saw several times the guys go into what looks like a backflip, and then they let go of the ski and it cruises a LONG ways up before coming down, and when it comes down i assume it comes down HARD.... how do you not get crushed? that seems like a potentially fatal situation to me. Also does this fall hurt the ski?........also, on some BFs i notice they end in an almost vertical dive... how far down do you go? are you gong to hit bottom?? thanks for any help, and i appologize for the ignorence
 
Superjet3

Superjet3

Waterlogged
Location
Jersey Shore
First off please do not attempt doing backflips your first time in the surf. You must have foot holds also to do this trick. Yes it can hurt landing upside down. MAKE SURE YOU WEAR EAR PROTECTION! Blowing out ear drums sucks. If trying big airs it is a good Idea to reinforce your ski. And lastly dont ride solo.
Hope that helps a bit.
 
Frosty

Frosty

New York Crew
Location
Western New York
Maine Coast said:
hahahaha no worries about the BF, there is NO way that will be happening... and what counts as ear protection? is a helmet good?
Click to expand...

Yes helmet... make sure you get one that does not have open ear holes, or atleast have a way to close them off. There are plenty to chose from... Some guys go with wake board helmets, some with full face watercross helmets, others use BMX type helmets.
 
Highroller

Highroller

X-
Location
Sarasota, Florida
Don't let go and the ski wont hit you. As for nose down landings... Yes you hit bottom and it likes to rip the nose off your ski. You go down a ways. When riding in the surf it is usually pretty shallow and considering the ski is 7 feet long... you can do the math.
 
Mike W

Mike W

Infidel
Location
North Florida
if you think your good on flat water, surf will show you how bad you really do suck. your first few times out just try some simple jumps just to get used to it. most importantly, keep your head on a swivel.
 
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Mike Serlin

Mike Serlin

NOW SPORTING A BIONIC LEG
Location
Long Beach, CA !!!
the water depth depends on the size of the surf. The bigger the wave, the deeper the water is directly behind the wave. Where we ride at o'side, we rarely have to worry about hitting bottom if the waves are big enough, we can come straight down into a huge sub.
Bailing on a backflip is extremely dangerous, there is only a small window where you can safely let go. Bailing on BR are much safer because the ski is pulling away from you, so it wants to seperate. Also, if your ski is not reinforced, don't even think about letting go of the ski, one hard impact on the side can do some real damage.
 
Y

yamaslut

Guest
i admit that i have never ridden surf BUT this spring i am going to make it happen, im going to drive to where i need to be to ride it, but i have some questions... i was just watching the X-Slide vid from St. Martin... and i saw several times the guys go into what looks like a backflip, and then they let go of the ski and it cruises a LONG ways up before coming down, and when it comes down i assume it comes down HARD.... how do you not get crushed? that seems like a potentially fatal situation to me. Also does this fall hurt the ski?........also, on some BFs i notice they end in an almost vertical dive... how far down do you go? are you gong to hit bottom?? thanks for any help, and i appologize for the ignorence
Click to expand...


Those are valid questions and concerns. When doing backy's I never let go when I'm upside down for the reasons you stated... I don't see it as potentially fatal or anything like that, I just prefer to be attatched to the ski at all times... Throwing the ski is the last case scenerio in the surf IMO... and yes the ski does get damaged from throwing it... not all the time, but it will happen...

btw - this is what happens when you hit bottom hard : see pic below --->
 

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Jr.

Jr.

Standing Tall
Staff member
Site Supporter
Location
Hot-Lanta
Here in Jersey in a couple of weeks, "Pancakepete" will be holding a series of clinics. that would be the perfect way to wet you feet to surf riding.
get in touch with him. there is a thread in the freeride section all about it
 
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