Lesson 058 — The Bottom Turn
The Bottom Turn
Learn the foundation turn that connects your take-off to the rest of the wave.
🎓 Learn To Surf UK Academy
🎯 Today's Mission
Learn to use the bottom turn to redirect your board back up the wave with control rather than simply racing straight down the face.
✅ This lesson is for you if...
You can catch green waves but lose the face after take-off.
Your turns feel disconnected from the wave.
You want to start using the wave face rather than just travelling along it.
📚 In This Lesson You'll Learn
- Why the bottom turn sets up the next section.
- How your eyes, shoulders and hips influence direction.
- How to control rail pressure.
- Why speed and timing matter.
- How to keep the turn compact on smaller waves.
🌊 Why the Bottom Turn Matters
After take-off, gravity naturally sends the board down the face. The bottom turn gives you a way to redirect that energy back towards the open face.
It isn't just a trick. It is a link between sections. A good bottom turn can set up a trim line, a top turn, a cutback or simply a better position on the wave.
🏄 Bob Gnarly Tip
Look where you want the board to finish. Your eyes help organise the rest of your movement.
👀 Eyes, Shoulders, Hips
Start by looking towards the section you want to reach. Your shoulders and upper body begin to rotate, while your legs and feet control the board's response.
Keep the movement progressive. Throwing your whole body into a turn before the board has speed can make the rail catch or the board slide.
🦶 Rail Pressure
A bottom turn is about pressure, not simply leaning as hard as possible. Too little pressure and the board may run straight. Too much too early can stall or catch a rail.
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistake
Turning from the shoulders while leaving the lower body stiff. The board needs coordinated pressure through your feet and legs.
🎯 Bottom-Turn Drill
- Choose a clean, manageable green wave.
- Take off with control.
- Look towards the section you want to reach.
- Compress slightly as you redirect.
- Allow the board to come back up the face rather than forcing a huge turn.
💡 Did You Know?
The shape of your board, fin setup, wave power and speed all influence how a bottom turn feels. There isn't one identical bottom turn for every board or wave.
🇬🇧 UK Surf Tip
On smaller UK beach-break waves, keep your bottom turn compact and focus on preserving speed. A huge turn can use more energy than the wave has available.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bottom turn on every wave?
You don't need a dramatic turn on every ride. The important skill is learning to redirect the board rather than automatically travelling straight.
Why do I keep falling when I turn?
You may be turning too aggressively, entering the turn without enough speed or losing balance through your stance. Start smaller.
Can I practise on a foam board?
Yes. A stable board can be useful for learning the movement pattern, although board response will differ from a shorter hard board.
📚 Lesson Summary
- ✅ The bottom turn links sections of the wave.
- ✅ Look first, then organise the body around the turn.
- ✅ Use controlled rail pressure.
- ✅ Match the turn to the wave's energy.
- ✅ Start compact and build gradually.
🎉 Lesson Complete!
You've completed Lesson 058 — The Bottom Turn.
Next: Generating & Managing Speed.
Start Lesson 059 →Read → position → turn → create speed → link your surfing