Why You Need to Hold Your Turns Longer

This concept builds directly off the last newsletter on compression and extension (https://surfbasis.com/blogs/training-blog/the-one-surfing-skill-you-re-probably-overlooking)—but it goes a step further.

One of the biggest mistakes I see, even from intermediate surfers who do compress and extend, is not timing those movements properly. The issue isn’t just doing the movement—it’s how long you hold it before you release.

The Problem: Too Quick, Too Early

A lot of surfers rush the process: they bend their knees, start to compress but then release too fast with a flicky motion. Even though there’s some compression and extension happening, the turn loses power because there wasn’t enough hold to build and store energy through the rail.

What You Should Be Doing Instead

You want to think of it as loading the rail—holding that compressed position for just a little longer than feels natural. That’s how you build real tension and release it with control.

Key points:

• Compress deeply
  
• Hold that position to load the rail
  
• Release after the board has had time to set its line
  

This is how you create power, drive, and flow through your turns.

Timing Feels Faster Than It Is

This part is tricky. Surfing feels fast. There's a lot going on. But most of the time, you’re actually moving quicker than you need to.

• What feels like “holding too long” is probably still too short
  
• You’ll need to slow down your movements—especially during critical parts of a turn
  
• Try exaggerating how long you hold your compression and see how it affects your turning
  

Final Thought

Holding and releasing properly isn’t about moving harder—it’s about moving with better timing. Most rushed turns come from trying to do too much, too fast.

So next session, pick one or two turns per wave and focus on this:

• Compress deeper
  
• Hold a little longer
  
• Then release with intention
  

Small change. Big difference.

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He did it by training with the Basis paddle trainer!

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