Pivot turn kook

[wakamole]

Still very new but HOOKED
Probably average 2 hours every day when I am home!

I practice pivot turns a bit every session (should practice more and fall off lots still). In my mind I see it as one of the most crucial wave positioning tools we have so I'm determined to master it.

My question is how many strokes should you take to get into wave position - about 160-180 degrees from the nose-into-the-waves position when you are waiting for the wave/paddling over the last one?

More than 2 or 3 seems to take forever and I miss the turn - ending up semi-sideways as a wave approaches - eccch.

I can't always get the nose around in 2 (preferably 1! like that dude in the quickblade vid!). I must be doing something different sometimes.

I have recently hacked 2" off my paddle (more surf and less distance paddling) and haven't been out yet but I hope that my stroke rate being faster may make 3 strokes ok for speed.

85kg on a JL 10'8" surf

Any tips or tricks or links would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

[Southbay]

Keep your center of balance fairly low, and keep trying and keep falling off!  Water time will fix this...

[Tom]

I would suggest you get your timing down based on how long it takes you to turn rather than trying to adjust your turning. What I mean, is if it takes you 3 or 4 strokes to turn, set up looking out towards the peak and inside of your take off spot. Choose a spot that is 3 or 4 strokes away, then as your wave approaches, paddled towards it while tuning and time it so that you are turned and heading down the face of the wave on your 3rd or 4th paddle.
Every time I surf a new spot, it takes me a bit to get my timing down, but after I do, I can catch all the waves I want.

[paddlesurf.net]

Are you paddling on the same side as the foot you step back onto the tail with? If so, try paddling at a forty five degree angle off the nose of the board as you are weighting the tail- you should be able to spin it easily. Noticed that you're on a bigger board - be sure to really sink the tail- take an aggressive step.

[motopilot]

Can usually do it in 1 maybe 2 depending on the board and how choppy the water is.  Just takes practice and you will get it. Another tip......Try to look around the corner when you do the pivot.  IE: look out on the horizon (not down by your feet) and look ahead of the turn (like riding a bike , car, snowboard racing, etc) as that really makes a difference and helps with your balance.  Helped a buddy the other day, and now he is much more comfortable.  Good Luck, you will get it!

[wakamole]

nice one all
thanks for the help
howling 35kt onshore today - maybe tomorrow I'll try some of these tips.
I definitely need to stop looking at the board/my feet - just like in anything you will go where your eyes lead you (and if that is the water then guess what!)
My goal is 2 strokes max - watching the good surfers around and they just catch everything so easily by paddling straight at the a-frame, spin around and drop in. Looks easy when they do it!
Practice, practice

[Byronmaui]

Here are some visuals. Hopefully they help out. The are riding the PSH 12 foot guns so the pivot is a  little harder but the technique is the same.

Aloha

Byron

Noah doing a backside pivot


Travis doing a frontside pivot


Both boys doing a backside pivot next to each other

[motopilot]

nice one all
thanks for the help
howling 35kt onshore today - maybe tomorrow I'll try some of these tips.
I definitely need to stop looking at the board/my feet - just like in anything you will go where your eyes lead you (and if that is the water then guess what!)
My goal is 2 strokes max - watching the good surfers around and they just catch everything so easily by paddling straight at the a-frame, spin around and drop in. Looks easy when they do it!
Practice, practice

LOL scott, you must be east coast?  I am up in Comunbus OH this week but i see home (FL) its been clowing 30+ and raining like crazy.  Winds should die down and we should have some great surf for the rest of the week.

[wakamole]

Perth, Australia motopilot
35kts is just another afternoon in summer!
Kiters here love the afternoon sea breeze "the Fremantle Doctor" which cools the town down regular as clockwork in summer.
It is a bit of a drag to have 3 full days of it in near-winter though...