The floater is a great move to maintain speed and flow while getting around (well, over actually) faster breaking sections of the wave. On a crumbly section they are relatively easy but if performed over the pitching lip then they become harder as they are preformed in the most powerful and critical part of the wave.
The video shows a floater being performed by Dan Joel on a small but fast pitching wave at Porthleven. Have a look and read on.
You will have noticed that a floater has a horizontal low entry (15 seconds). You need speed going into it but as you aren’t making radical direction changes you will keep the speed fairly easily.
Once you get up and over the lip you need to crouch (18 seconds) with your weight slightly forward. This position will help you keep your speed and maintain your balance.
As you start to lose speed rotate (19 seconds) your body back towards shore. You want to be almost perpendicular to the wave as you land or you run a danger of catching a rail and landing face first.
On landing compress (23 seconds) your body to maintain balance and absorb the shock of reconnecting with the wave – see also Surf Tip #1 for more information on landing this and any other manoeuvre.
Finish with a flying kick-out for extra style points.
Try this out on slack and crumbly waves to start with and when you are feeling confident give it a go on a faster pitching wave.
If you would like some more help with your surfing then call 01736 757579 to arrange an Advanced Coaching Session.
