Per the suggestion of Scott Wagenblast trying to change my line to work on getting my head lower and carving around the corner instead of just cruising around the bowl.
Not gonna lie much more difficult then I had expected. Mainly trying to build enough speed going into the turn. I don't know how to drop in yet- I feel like that would really help here instead of pushing from the bottom and trying to pump around the bowl to get the speed the hit the corner. By the time I get enough speed my legs are already burning (too many squats last night I guess.)
Will keep working on it. I realize the whole turn needs work. Getting my head around, getting the coffee cup passing around, getting the front arm up and outta the way. I don't pretend these are good turns....YET! Gotta start somewhere though...
John Kuras
Posted
Nov 13 at 11:58 PM
Posted
Nov 13 at 04:14 AM
Figured I'd post my most recent clips since it doesn't seem like there is gonna be a feedback session for a while.
Pretty happy with my 1st 2 turns, unfortunately my park doesn't really have a corner, just the half pipe... thinking I may have to drive 2 hours to the next closest park to get a good corner bowl section with a nice roll in, so I can work on getting my head lower through the turn.
In the bowl I'm trying, rather unsuccessfully to do the same thing, kiss the knee more and head my head lower in line with the board. Feeling like it's probably a little bit of a speed issue since I'm too afraid to drop in to this one.
I watched the feedback from the "unlocking your backhand" session and Clayton mentioned to multiple people about getting that head lower and letting the board pivot around it. Again, kinda feeling like my park doesn't really offer a section that would be good for working on that. But I am trying to get those airplane wings to roll/lean.
As always any feedback welcome. If I ever make it to the other park I'll be sure to get lots of clips, but a 4 hour drive (2 each way) plus time at the park is hard to come by with 2 young kids so not sure if that's gonna happen any time soon.
Posted
Nov 13 at 12:15 AM
So is it safe to assume there is not going to be a November or December feedback session, since they are no longer on the calendar or in the video section?
Posted
Nov 06 at 01:36 AM
Dry-Land Training:
So I live is South Carolina, unfortunately the waves here are less than steller MOST of the time. As such, I try to maximize my improvement through dry land training. Wondering if there is anything Y'all do that maybe I have not thought of. I have 2 young kiddos and work full time so my time is limited but I do what I can as often as I can.
My usual training looks something like this:
Weight lift: 3x per week-squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, bench, barbell rows. It's a program called strong lifts 5x5. I like this cause it's simple being only 5 exercises and quick,5 sets of 5 with little rest in between, so I can squeeze it into 25 mins if the squat rack isn't being used.
Stretch/foam roll/ deep tissue release with golf ball or tennis ball on the in between lifting days. Use Chris mills surfstrength coaching programs for the variety of stretches/ body weight movements I can do at home. Also work on holding my oreo biscuit back arch for a few mins to improve my low back strength and flexibility.
Surfskate practice: usually do 20-30 mins a day, as long as it's not raining, after dropping my girls off at school before I head to work. Usually involves a few laps around the bowl, working on flow and compression/extension. Do about 5-10 mins in bowl, 5-10 mins on the 4' transition working on turns, 5-10 mins on the 6' banks working on my twist and passing the coffee cup and compression on the way down. (I've posted a few videos of my normal surfskate stuff In the community in the past.) If my girls want to play outside when I'm home from work I'll also skate the street (flat ground) while they scooter or ride their bikes.
Surfing: anytime I can and there are waves. Still a line 2 surfer, but since joining my pop up/walk up is no longer an issue at all. Dropped down from riding a 8' fun board to a 41L groveler to between 34 to 37L depending on waves. Now just trying to get the whole compression/extension and turning thing dialed in. Being a mushy beachbreak though most waves here are extremely short and 1 turn and done type waves.
Flowrope: added this recently but I do need to get a better rope to do it with. Using some paracord I had laying around but it feels to light so have to make a trip to get some better rope for it I think.
Videos: watched the whole of the OMBE programs probably 3 times through by now including all the video coaching sessions. I find these are actually now the most helpful as seeing Clayton's advice on other people issues helps me to figure out and correct mine. Also watch pro videos, John john, Kelly, Nathan florence, Koa rothman, Clay marzo, Mason ho are my favorites to watch, I try to watch at half speed and really pay attention to their body, head, hand positions while they rip.
At the moment that's about the extent of it. If anyone has any suggestions or things that have really helped you to improve please let me know. Surfing well is something that has been a life long goal, and luckily now I live close enough to the ocean and have an opportunity to chase that dream. Thanks in advance for any pointers or ideas.
Posted
Nov 01 at 05:51 AM
Called off work today, went surfing for 3 hours!
Perfect fall day in South Carolina, 80 degrees, water just cool enough for a 3/2, sun shining, off shore breezes And only 3 dudes out. Granted SC doesn't have great waves, but it was a fun day regardless. Got a couple card board slides in, worked on some things, tried some new turns I've never done. Feel like I'm much better than I was before I joined OMBE, thank you for that!
Also, Decided my previous higher volume board is no longer needed as I feel I've progressed enough to drop down in volume again.
Getting 1% better every time I go out.
Posted
Oct 23 at 11:25 PM
Couple of turns from this morning.
Working on fixing my twist and passing the coffee cup at the top and the timing of the compression/ cardboard slide on the way down.
I feel like it's getting better... could just be fooling myself.
Posted
Oct 17 at 10:36 PM
All things Stick skating. Really trying to control my arms and keep them for doing whatever they please. Think I still may need to keep my elbows tucked in more and closer to my body, but at least they aren't doing big wild circles.
Posted
Oct 16 at 10:24 PM
Working on some turns this morning. Still have a really hard time getting my left (front) arm up and behind me. Like I'm trying to put my elbow in my back pocket as Clayton says, my shoulder pain really makes that up and back difficult.
Also can't seem to stop dropping my hands low as I get ready to extend into the transition. I have a really bad habit of windmilling the right arm in a counter clockwise motion when going for the turn. Was trying to project my hand towards 12 o'clock, then just bring it in like touching the back of my hand to my face.
Not sure why this is so particularly difficult. I just never seem to have controlled of my arms.
Posted
Oct 10 at 10:28 PM
Another one.... for Clayton Nienaber less arm throwing per your instructions. Did a little with my normal left arm dangling by my side, and a little two arm handle bar action. Legs were definitely burning today after leg day in gym last night and 10 or so 1 min laps around the bowl.
Also for Michiel van Gerven
Slowed way down and tried to show what happens if I attempt to shorten the turn in the back right hand corner. It gives me that awkward straight at the hip angle which Is where I've busted my own arse a few times attempting it.
And I do realize that going over that hip in the last few seconds looks like I'm way off balance that is simply cause I was worried about eating it there. Last time I landed on my hip and couldn't walk normal for 2 weeks and there may be waves in a few days from hurricane Milton so not trying to get hurt before a chance to surf.
Posted
Oct 10 at 03:33 AM
Putting in some work before work. Do this about 3-4 times a week if I can. Drop the kiddos off at school, hit the bowl for 15 mins working on my flow, practice regular skateboard 15 mins (pumping on vert, kickturns on transitions, Ollie's, nose stalls, etc). Then I'm off to work where I rewatch the OMBE videos Over and over between patients, take notes on my goals or what I want to work on my next surf session.
Slowing chipping away at that 10,000 hour rule! Gotta squeeze it in when you can. Yeeewwww