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2025 surf goals
Happy New Year all!
Anybody have any surf related resolutions or goals for the new year? I
This year I would like to get used to my new board, spend more time higher and deeper on waves, and get more consistent with two steps to the center of the board and back. That and be patient and enjoy the process :).
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@paul Happy New Year.
Love goals and you have some good ones.
For 2025 I’m looking to have fun surfing (number one goal) and keep improving, increasing my success rate on completed maneuvers and improving my competition scores. 🤙
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Great thread! I’d really like to learn how to elongate noserides in 2025 by utilizing the back foot movement as well as lateral pressures. And overall general style improvements hehe
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Happy New Year everyone!
I’d like to solidify my hang 5s and learn to hold them longer and with more comfort. I also want to take more chances getting noserides in critical sections when I might usually play it safe. I’d like to get out on my mid-length more often and improve my paddling and positioning as well. If I can get some of these done I’ll throw in a first hang 10! Also maybe I’ll enter my first local contest.
Thanks for the support and all the great info on the site!
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Happy new Year!
Yes, goals, move my feet more. Improve my wave reading abilities and try to find the critical part of the wave more often. Another goal, take a foamy out into crowed lineups and get more comfortable jostling for position and then going for more waves instead of just watching the same surfers always going for them…hmm, does that qualify as a goal? I think so, because I need to get over my phobia of lineups and the intimidation and my lack ability to catch waves when other surfers are around me. I don’t want to remain to be that dude that only goes out when nobody else is out and then gets grumpy when other surfers begin to crowd me and paddle around me to get closer to the peak than me as the wave approaches… I guess I need to just show more presence but somehow in a friendly and non grumpy manner. 🤣
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I like the goal of being more (politely) assertive. I usually prefer to surf the junky waves down the beach and I can be timid when there are more assertive surfers in the lineup. At some point I think getting in the mix for better waves would be helpful for progression.
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Politely assertive… great words! I need to get a sticker made and attach this to the nose of my board to remind of this words🤣. Maybe I should put it on the dashboard of my car too! Cheers!
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When you make the stickers I’ll buy some haha
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Happy New Year LBS Fam
i can totally relate with your line up phobia @adam_stevenson
I’ve had several “newbie” close calls with experienced surfer in crowded line ups. I’ve slowly been able to get off the shoulder and in the mix but then I cut someone off unintentionally or almost collide with someone and loose my confidence and end up back on the sidelines watching everyone catch great rides while I struggle to get anything. By this point in my journey, I understand that i have to place myself at the peak if I want to catch anything worth riding. But I my fear of being a kook keeps me on the shoulder.
My Goal for 2025 is to gain confidence in my own surfing abilities in crowded line ups. I want to be able to accelerate, brake and turn my board with intention, to impose my will on the board/wave and not feel like I have no control. Often I get the feeling of being swept away and just hanging on for the ride, which is fine when no one else is around. Crowded line ups are the norm in los angeles, the thought of navigating Malibu first break with its fifty thousand surfers terrifies me.
This year is about gaining confidence, shedding fears and getting in the mix where I belong.
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Agreed, I couldn’t have said it more perfectly.
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As a socal surfer as well I’d like to share a couple of things that keep me happy in the surf out here. Hope y’all don’t mind. This kind of stuff has really gotten me riled in the past and I’m just starting to be satisfied with my strategy.
If you take your time getting out to the lineup I think you can really make points with the people already surfing. Maybe knee paddle out or paddle slowly and watch people surf some of the better sets for a little while. Paddle out a little further than the main group or right inside of them and let sets go by. Catch one on the way out if someone misses it or if you get lucky. Look to see whether people are catching waves and try to take note. Lots of people don’t want the big waves and wait for the smaller ones on the inside or wait on the outside and pull back on the sets. Try to find the middle zone where you can catch big and small waves without having to paddle too far inside or out.
Try not to eat it or pull back in front of anyone (lol). They will probably drop in on you next time or try to poach your waves.
If someone is in a better position, even you’re already paddling, pull back and say something like “you got it!” and forget about it, or say nothing. Maybe paddle to where they were and see if you get lucky on the next wave. Also keep your lineup and don’t stress on paddling past people to get there, just don’t drop in on anyone ever, especially if they’re in a better spot and a better surfer. They will make you pay for it.
If you see a wave that’s too small for you to catch on the outside just let it pass you and don’t even try to paddle, eyes to the horizon. Everyone on the inside will be happy that you (obviously) let it go and might repay you by not dropping in on you later.
If you keep your position and wait, eventually the better surfers will catch their waves and you might be open to get the next one.
Also a guy at Malibu gave me a good tip for point breaks. Since there are usually a few different peaks, even at a point, if you see a set breaking to the north and you’re not in position go south a bit for the next set. They don’t always break in the same spot and after a set goes by the majority of people will paddle to that spot and be too deep for the next set, if that makes sense. The sets revolve around the point. It will not always break at the same spot.
Also it’s a bummer, but if you’re having a good day and catching “too many waves” according to someone else you might get an earful. Take it on the chin and watch that surfer for a while. There’s a good chance they are breaking all the rules they were just yelling about. Don’t let them tell you to go to the inside or bully you. Stay on your lineup and just let some sets go by until they catch a wave or find another victim. They will move on.
I got sounded by a dork at a local spot a few months ago and I watched him burn people and yell at other surfers for about 15 minutes and had to have a laugh to myself. He was upset that anyone besides him was catching waves. I stood my ground and told him I would “pay more attention” but didn’t paddle to the inside. I watched him run into another surfer, who did blatantly drop in on him, and I rode the next wave (from “his” spot) while watching him yell at the young woman who was a beginner. Facepalm!
Don’t underestimate city breaks either for their volatility. A lot of the jerks are spending plenty of time drinking and doing whatever else in the parking lot before they surf and after. They are probably a little lit up (*cough* Topanga, Malibu). Cheers everyone!
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Always good with some great words of wisdom. Cheers!
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Thanks man! I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been through the ringer out here. It’s taken a long time to get comfortable in the crowds especially with so many agro people around. It doesn’t go bad too often, but seriously sometimes the guys that are the most angry are the ones causing the biggest disruption… Good luck to all of us!
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🙌🤙 there’s also a fear of kooking out. but I’ll get over it, thanks again. Yew
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Totally! I think if you go for it people appreciate that too. Whether you’re sending it in a difficult situation and wiping out or surfing well it’s always fun to watch.
I think about Indiana Jones running from the boulder. You want to see if he’ll make it 😆.
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I have to improve my drop knee, no excuses 😅
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I’d like to learn how to summon waves by doing a wave dance, akin to a rain dance.
In all seriousness, I’d like to work on taking a higher line on my takeoffs. I get stuck a bit holding the glide just a second too long before popping up. I think it’s more about setting my rail and looking down the line, which Tommy or Ben could probably best advise. I do watch the ATO vids, practice often and visualize myself doing it when my head hits the pillow. Would love some practical tips.
I would like to approach surfing from a place of fun while improving instead of from a place of obsession/addiction and lack as I have done these 8 months back in the water after a 6 year medical break.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy start to the new year
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Haha we all need that tutorial to make the waves come when you figure it out!!!
As for the takeoff, I’d be really interested to hear more of how its feeling when you get some more repetition with it out there! The angle is definitely very helpful, but I totally understand popping up that little bit sooner can make a big difference, will be fun to work through this together!
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Hi Ben, I have exciting news!!! Went to the indoor wave pool last night. Approached it from having fun and not obsession or lack. Kept working on land with the drills we spoke about a few months ago regarding my lazy muscles that don’t fire on my hip replacement side and really working “shortboard” popups daily. I will say that the paddle, takeoff and pop ups went great. As a matter of fact I can’t even tell you how I went from paddling for waves to riding. There wasn’t any shuffling or repositioning from the take off point. The foam boards they have there are really clumsy and I would get caught a bit behind the section 3/4 way down the line. But I nailed every single takeoff which I’m really, really happy about!! Thanks to you, Tommy and Brian. You three have really come together and produced very detailed videos and you all provide such an incredible level of attention to your members. You three meeting was not an accident. Looking forward to 2025 here!! 💖
PS: I’ll be working out that wave dance this year to see if it has any merit!!
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WEHEWWW!!! That’s the best Maria!! So good to hear and a big congrats to you for your effort into this as well, massive news! And great you were able to achieve this whilst also focussing on the fun element, that’s the goal!
Can’t wait to see some of this, and glad you’re back in the water now too! Really really great work!
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I didn’t purchase the session videos because I need a break from focusing on this so intently… need a little fun!! I have quite a bit of sessions coming up so at some point I will purchase session videos.
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Exactly!!!
Rule 1. HAVE FUN 🙌🙌
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That has a nice rhyme to it too haha
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🤙🤙I get the surfing from a place of fun and avoiding the “expectation overload” and frustration with ones self when one has an off day. We are designed to enjoy ourselves most when we feel progress. It’s our minds need to evolve or something. Though I am not sure it’s healthy to “not want” to improve either. Not sure if this is where you were going with this. But I find it helps to, on those disappointing days, narrow in on the appreciation of the little things and to remind myself, it’s the process of improving that is meant to be fun, not the results of accomplishing a new maneuver or skill. I myself, enjoy having something I am working on, but when I feel the frustration set in of it not happening fast enough, I remind myself(try) to to chill and not get ahead of myself. There’s a great quote that I hope I don’t bastardize: “when we want it we don’t get it, but it is happening all then time!” Or something like that… makes me smile at myself when I feel the grumpy me sneak through. Lol… But on the other hand there’s probably got to be a balance or sweet spot where we can really just enjoy the process, through good days and bad. Good luck. 🙌
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Yeah really well said, that’s it its about just centering yourself back to the moment sometimes because we so easily can get caught in the outcome we want, and forgetting about the beautiful ocean we’re sitting in at that moment! Hahah, we’re funny creatures
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I can’t seem to find the like button so I hit reply and added a 👍
I am always working on something out there but I was definitely becoming obsessed. I definitely became aware of that, took a deep breath and had to shift to a fun zone.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by maria-mole. Reason: Typos
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This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by
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</div><div>I was definitely starting to treat it like an addiction/obsession. I don’t drink or take drugs but I would imagine it’s a similar feeling. </div><div>Once I got back in the water in April 2024, I was like, let’s fast track this, I don’t have time to waste!! And it just took on a life of its own. I started getting obsessive with Surfline cams at my break, private video sessions/feedback and way too much nitpicking myself apart. Universe kind of told me the same thing and made me slow down to smell the proverbial roses. Wave drought east coast since end of October. Our Waco surf trip was ruined due to airline flight cancellation so we didn’t get to surf. Me and a sea urchin jammed in Rincon causing my toenail to have to be removed by a doc… surf trip came to a screeching halt! And so now here I am in 2025. Second session of the new year just having fun and trying to keep it educational snd light! </div>
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Wow – I find myself doing the same thing you talk about (holding the glide into the wave too long). When I get to my feet I find myself in the critical part of the wave. I think I should get into the wave sooner when it is smaller so that I have time to maneuver or shorten the glide time. Anyway, it is a work in progress.
Thanks for your input,
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I’m loving this thread!!! I’m hearing a lot about navigating the lineup and confidence in that arena, really want to delve into that more with everyone this year.
As for my goals!
My surfing related goals are to just refine a couple little things coming into the comp season:
1. Hang 10’s – being a goofy foot surfer and competing in only right handers on the WQS and LQS they’re starting to get really picky about foot positioning on the nose, if there’s a lateral angle of your toes especially on your backhand as your toes are facing the judges they can call it a close 5 and pull the score down. The goal here is to get into the habit of setting both feet parallel with the stringer either in a box 10 or pin 10 position, really make them stand out and give the judges no reason to pull back on the score.
2. Backhand turns – with a lot of the waves we surf (Burleigh, bells, el salvador) it can be trickier on your backhand to stay high, which is where its easy to lack flow and connection with the wave on your backhand vs forehand. The goal with this to maintain flow and having more harmony with the wave i guess you could say is to finish my backhand cutbacks high on the wave. I have the tendency to want to squeeze every little bit out of my turns which often means I finish in the lower pocket of the wave in the white water and chasing the wall rather than exiting with speed and seamlessly connecting the next manoeuvre. So this will help flow and get me from A to B on the wave more smoothly.
Surfing wise – its to not let my day to day job takeover and prevent me from getting plenty of morning sessions before work (so surf more haha), and then I’d love to qualify for the Tour and have some fun there again! Yewww
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Let’s add those to my 2025 list, too!!!
😀
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Haha yewww!
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Great place for me to start. First day on and I guess the reason for coming on is I want to set some goals this year. I have an odd situation. I live in Arizona… yup Arizona. It’s odd, I do have a home in Dana Point that I spend around 3 months out of year at and I surf pretty much everyday. I’ve been surfing now since I bought the place 4 years ago. I lived in Maui for a couple years and surfed a short board back when surfing wasn’t cool. My issue has been progression because of the obvious. Great news is that a pool has opened up by house and it has different levels and yes, I brought out the 10-0 and had some fun. Now that I can more consistently surf, it’s time to progress.
– I want a smother, more consistent cross step. It’s so choppy due to a lack of water time and probably bad habits. I get on the nose here and there, but it needs work.
– My backside sucks! I’m like Zoolander and I only go right. Ha! This is just ridiculous and it gonna happen
– Cutbacks, turning, drop knee, more cutbacks, turn your damn board more!
Thanks for putting this together. Super stoked!
Pic attached from my az surf spot on Thursday.
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Welcome to the site!! Well you’ve come to the right place considering the things you’re looking to improve on. Awesome that you have a wave pool now! I used to live in fountain hills when I was younger (scotsdale). Anyway, if you can get some footage from the pool that would be the best place to start. Post it to the rating page or community video review and we can get started on some personal feedback.
In the meantime, watch ben’s whole series on cross stepping
https://longboardsessions.com/cross-stepping-series/
Also, watch the cutback series
https://longboardsessions.com/cutbacks-series/
Watch ben’s latest youtube video as well which covers backside pop ups. Not sure if that’s something you’re working on, but it’s a banger of a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7dSwdrFX9Y
And finally, don’t work on all of this at once haha!
longboardsessions.com
Cross stepping series – LongboardSessions
Cross stepping series – LongboardSessions
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No way. How funny. My last house was in Scottsdale ranch. 100th and Shea.
Thanks man. I’m headed to Dana in two weeks and I’m going to surf like crazy and get feeling surfy again and I’ll send some videos. I’m pretty rusty at the moment.
Stoked about the journey and so happy I can keep it up even if I’m not in Cali.
Have two grooms that I pushed on some waves today at the pool. Was awesome!
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Yeww this is epic – first off a massive WELCOME! Stoked you’re here and can’t wait to work through things with you here. We will absolutely be abel to do some great work with your cross stepping, noseriding and your backhand – as Brian said they will be some great series to start with and then when you get some water time let us know how its all tracking and we can go from there with our and the communities input!
P.s. – Zoolander reference didn’t go unnoticed!! hahah
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Right on. I’m so stoked. I FINALLY am in a place where progression can happen with the wave pool open in AZ. I’m a member and I will surf every week. I spend 2 months solid at my home in Cali and I surf like crazy, but then leave and no surfing for two months. It’s been hard to get better. I have a good base, but have bad habits that hopefully I can change quickly and implement. I will hook up with someone for video or I’ll just buy an action cam or something when I head to Cali for spring break on March 6th. I’ll be there for 2 weeks and should be able to get to feeling surfy quick and start sending some video.
Just so you and Brian know, I’ve been steadily watching videos from both of you for a couple years now. It’s helped, but it’s hard when you have no way of seeing yourself surf let alone someone else be able to see it.
Regardless, stoked to be here. Let’s go!
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Epic!! Well first off stoked that you’re going to be able to surf more, how good is that!?!
But you’re totally right without the consistent repetition noticing good progression can be tricky, can’t wait to work through this with you!
Stoked you’ve found ourself useful over the past couple of years! Totally understand though, I find the 3 key drivers (and there’s probably more haha) for progression are knowing what to work on (not just what you want to work on but what is necessary for where your level is currently at with your surfing goals in mind), being able to see for yourself whats happening (footage of yourself – always a big eye opener) and then feedback as you practise!
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Exactly. I see that. I will watch Surfline after a session I thought was good and say. Ahhh who’s this nob. Ooohhh. That’s you! lol.
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