How to Improve Your Bottom Turn for More Speed

20 November 2025

Alright, surf junkies, let’s talk bottom turns. You know the one—the make-or-break move that sets up every sick maneuver on a wave. If your bottom turn is sluggish, stiff, or just straight-up sloppy, you’re kissing that lip smack goodbye. Want to surf faster, smoother, and way more stylish? Then buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to deep-dive into how to improve your bottom turn for more speed.

What the Heck is a Bottom Turn Anyway?

So, for the newbies or even the intermediate surfers still figuring things out—your bottom turn is that glorious carve you do at the base of the wave after taking off. It's the move that channels your momentum back up the face of the wave, whether you're headed for a carving cutback, a top turn, or you’re about to go full beast mode and launch an air.

Think of it like loading a spring. The deeper and tighter your bottom turn, the more tension you build, and the more power you release. And yep, you guessed it—more speed, more control, and way more flow.

Why Speed from the Bottom Turn Matters

Simple: speed = power. Without it, you’re a sitting duck on the face of the wave. With it, you’re a lightning bolt with fins.

A proper bottom turn does more than just get you moving—it sets your line, keeps you in the pocket (that spicy part of the wave with the most energy), and launches you into your next move like a freakin’ rocket. If you're not optimizing your bottom turn, you're leaving style points and performance on the table.

Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty and break down how you can level up your bottom turn game.

🏄‍♂️ Step 1: Start With a Strong Takeoff

Let’s not sugarcoat it—if your pop-up is all over the place, you’re already behind. A messy takeoff means you’ll be off-balance, late to the game, and scrambling to recover.

Here’s the deal:

- Pop up clean and fast. No hesitation, no dragging knees.
- Get low immediately. Think athletic stance—knees bent, back straight, and that low center of gravity.
- Eyes UP. You should already be scoping the section ahead, planning your line.

The better your foundation, the juicier your bottom turn will be. Don’t sleep on this.

🔄 Step 2: Timing is EVERYTHING

Bottom turns are all about timing. Go too early? You lose the wave’s power. Too late? You’re chasing white water.

What you should do:

- Wait until you’re fully at the bottom of the wave. That’s your launchpad.
- Use the downward slope for momentum.
- Don’t rush it—let the wave do some of the work while you set up the carve.

Be patient, but not passive. Easier said than done, right? Practice makes power.

🧘‍♀️ Step 3: Body Position—Get Low, Stay Loose

Alright, listen up—your body is your biggest tool. (Or your biggest roadblock. Oof.)

To fire up that speed, get low and compact. Bend your knees, shift your weight over that sweet front foot, and lead with your hips and shoulders—NOT just your head.

Think of it like this:

- Upper body = your steering wheel.
- Lower body = your engine.
- Eyes = your GPS.

You want your whole body moving as a unit, flowing like syrup down the wave—smooth, sticky, and deliciously sweet.

🔧 Step 4: Use Your Rails Like a Boss

Yo, your surfboard rails aren’t just decoration—they’re your grip, your edge, your control panel.

To really get that snap of speed from your bottom turn, you’ve gotta lean into your inside rail like you mean it. This isn’t a half-baked lean. We’re talking committed, aggressive rail engagement.

Tips to own your rails:

- Put pressure on your toes (frontside) or heels (backside).
- Keep that weight slightly forward to avoid stalling.
- Trust your board—let it carve, don’t fight it.

Picture carving your initials into the wave like it owes you 💸.

💡 Step 5: Your Eyes Are Your Secret Weapon

Where you look is where you go. Say it with me: Where. You. Look. Is. Where. You. Go.

During your bottom turn, your eyes should already be focused on where you want to launch next—be it the lip, the pocket, or the open face.

Eye Movement Tips:

- Don't stare at your feet (duh).
- Spot your exit before your turn even starts.
- Keep your head aligned with your shoulders to avoid twisting off balance.

Vision directs intention. It’s like surfing Jedi mind tricks.

🔁 Step 6: Pump That Turn, Don’t Just Glide

Too many surfers treat the bottom turn like a set-it-and-forget-it move. But if you want speed, you gotta generate it.

Here’s how you add power:

- Apply pressure down into the turn, like you’re trying to crack the floor beneath your board.
- Use your legs like pistons—compress as you enter the turn, extend as you exit.
- Stay on your rail longer to draw out the turn and build maximum torque.

Imagine winding up a slingshot. You wanna stretch that rubber band till it’s about to snap, and then—BOOM—you’re slingshotted up the wave face with turbo boost.

🧱 Step 7: Build Muscle Memory With Drills

You can read all the tips in the world, but if you’re not training your muscle memory, you’ll blow it when game time hits.

Try these land-based and water-based drills:

- Surf skate drills: Practice pumping and turning on a smooth skate surface. It translates eerily well.
- Trampoline work: Keep your center of gravity low, practice spotting your landings, and build reflexes.
- Technique reps in small surf: Don’t wait for big swells—perfect your bottom turn in smaller, controllable waves.

Consistency breeds confidence. Show up, rep it out, and watch your instinct take over.

💀 Step 8: Kill Bad Habits Dead

Let’s be real—you might be sabotaging yourself with nasty habits. Time to face the music.

Common screw-ups:

- Standing too tall during the turn (rookie move).
- Looking down or too late.
- Not engaging your rail fully.
- Leaning with just your upper body instead of committing your whole frame.

Awareness is key. If needed, film your sessions or get a buddy to point out your quirks. It stings, but it works.

🚀 Step 9: Watch the Pros, Steal Their Secrets

No shame in copying when it comes to surfing style. Ever seen John John Florence carve out a bottom turn so deep it looks like he’s about to dig to China?

Study your favorite surfers. Watch how they:

- Compress and extend.
- Time the bottom turn with the wave’s steepest section.
- Use subtle weight shifts for major impact.
- Explode with speed up the face.

Then, imitate. Mimic. Mirror. And make it your own.

🧙‍♂️ Step 10: Trust the Process (Seriously)

Look, improving your bottom turn isn’t gonna happen overnight. You’ll fall. You’ll flub it. You’ll have days where you feel like a beached seal.

But if you stay committed, stay low, and keep pushing the rail, you’ll start flying off the bottom like it’s nobody’s business.

Trust the process, enjoy the ride, and let that bottom turn unleash your full wave-ripping potential. Because once you crack the code, you’ll surf faster, harder, and way more confidently.

💬 Final Thoughts: Turn Like You Mean It

If your bottom turn isn't dialed in, you're basically surfing in slow motion. But when it is? Oh baby—everything opens up. You hit that lip harder, string together sections, and look damn good doing it.

It all comes down to building solid habits, staying low, watching the wave, and throwing your whole body into it like your surf life depends on it—because honestly, it kinda does.

Now quit reading and go practice that turn. The ocean’s calling, and it's ready for you to step up.