5 Quick Wins to Level Up Your Ride Today
You don’t need a full overhaul to surf better. Sometimes, small tweaks make a big impact. Whether you’re stuck in a rut or just want to sharpen your skills, a few quick wins can give you that extra edge on your next session.
Here are five simple, effective changes you can make right now to boost your surfing — without changing your board or waiting for perfect conditions.
Easy Tweaks That Deliver Instant Surf Gains
These tips are actionable, efficient, and focused on performance. Use them to clean up your technique, sharpen your awareness, and ride waves with more confidence — starting today.
1. Bend Your Knees, Not Your Back
A low, athletic stance is key to control and power — and bending your knees (not your waist) is how you get there.
Focus on this adjustment during every ride:
- Keep your hips low and chest up
- Arms relaxed but active
- Back straight, not hunched
- Think ‘soft knees’ for responsiveness
2. Keep Your Eyes on the Wave Face
Where you look is where you go. Surfing with your head down limits awareness and balance.
Train your gaze with these cues:
- Look down the line, not at your board
- Scan for pockets, lips, or exits
- Glance back occasionally to read the section
- Lift your chin slightly during your stance
3. Adjust Your Foot Placement
Even small foot shifts can completely change your board’s responsiveness. Set your stance intentionally each time you pop up.
Dial in your setup with these reminders:
- Back foot over or just ahead of the fins
- Front foot perpendicular and centered
- Heels evenly weighted
- Widen or narrow stance depending on wave speed
4. Time Your Turns Later
A common mistake is rushing maneuvers before the wave sets up. Holding your line a moment longer can make turns sharper and more powerful.
Refine your timing with these tips:
- Wait until you see the section forming
- Use compression before extending into a turn
- Set your rail first, then pivot
- Practice on mellow waves to build confidence
5. Do a Pre-Session Visualization
Before paddling out, run through a mental surf — it helps you focus and prime your muscle memory.
Keep it short and intentional with these steps:
- Visualize your pop-up and first turn
- Picture your ideal stance and breathing
- Imagine handling a closeout smoothly
- Set one specific intention for the session
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many surfers stay stuck because they keep repeating habits that don’t serve them. One of the most common is surfing on autopilot — doing the same takeoff, the same turn, without adapting to what the wave actually offers.
Another is over-trying: forcing turns or popping up with tension. Let the wave do more of the work. Flow beats force, every time.
Expert’s Advice
Top surf coaches recommend focusing on one thing per session. Trying to fix everything at once leads to frustration. Pick one quick win from this list and drill it — even on small or sloppy days.
Another tip: film yourself. Even a short clip from the beach reveals habits you might not notice — posture, timing, paddling. That awareness is where progress begins.
Real-Life Tip
Before your next surf, take two minutes while stretching on the beach to scan the break and pick one small focus point. Maybe it’s watching the shoulder better, maybe it’s landing lower after your pop-up.
This tiny act of intention helps you surf more mindfully — and makes those small wins more likely to stick.
Takeaway
You don’t need a new board or months of training to surf better. A few quick changes in how you stand, see, and think in the water can shift your whole session. Try one or two of these today and see what happens — progress starts with small, smart moves.
