John Ashley's How-to-pole-plant-snap pivot instructions!

[linter]

I don't think enough time on this forum is spent talking about technique (as opposed to gear) so I'm taking the liberty of swiping and posting a super-terrific-great set of instructions from John Ashley's blog on how to do the snap-pivot cutback.  (Hope you don't mind, John; it's just too good a thing to not share, okay? ... )

I've also swiped three shots from the Gong website that I think illustrated pretty well what John's talking about.  (Hope you don't mind, Gong; etc etc  )

First, a direct link to John's blog article:
   http://www.paddlesurf.net/2008/07/how-to-pole-plant-snap-pivot-what.html

Now, what John wrote:

To do this turn you should be able to wrap a standard, non-paddle assisted cutback. I'll explain why this is important later but for now, if you can't get your board into a cutback on legs, torso and shoulder power alone, you should take a time-out and work that out.

The snap pivot relies initially on an arcing turn (that's why you've got to be able to turn your board!) and ends with the use of the paddle. In the final part of the turn, the blade becomes both a pivot point (as it pulls your inside rail around) and as weight supporting, planing surface as you unweight and blow out the tail. If you push hard enough, the turn looks like a snap and the board ends up pointing back towards the breaking wave. It's a fun, cool turn that throws a nice little fan and feels good when you hit it just right.

I like to use this turn on the shoulder of a wave so that I can build up speed and throw it all into a lateral redirection. A more difficult variation (and I'm still working this one out) is a snap-pivot that's thrown up into the lip as your jamming down the line. To be honest- the guys that are throwing this variation of the turn are the true rippers. Throwing that much board up into the lip, blowing out the tail while leaning on the paddle takes a ridiculous amount of timing and skill- something to work towards. However, I digress, let's talk about the steps involved in this maneuver.

You'll be planting your paddle into the face of the wave so be sure that as you go down the line you've got the blade oriented to the inside, wave face side, of your body. As you approach the shoulder of the wave, reach forward as if you were going to take a stroke and plant the blade into the water. At this level of the game, don't pull on the paddle as you execute the turn- as your skill level increases, you can begin to crank on the paddle into the turn and generate a tighter arc and a deeper gouge. For right now, however, just plant the blade, transfer your weight to your heels, look over your shoulder to where you want your turn to go and begin your standard cutback.



As you turn, you're actually turning away from and around your paddle. The trick to this move is to leave the paddle in the water. As you arc around, the paddle will transfer from the outside of the semi-circle you're scribing in the face of the wave to the inside of your turn. As the paddle reaches the inside of the turn you can lay back onto it. You will feel your weight transfer back onto your paddle allowing you to push laterally against the fins overpowering them and sliding/snapping the tail around. The feeling is exactly like power sliding a skateboard- you've got to commit to the weight transfer to free up the fins in the slide.



Here's a tip: Wait on the snap. The snap portion of the turn comes at the very end- as you come around you'll feel like you've completed the cutback- and you may begin to think you've missed out on your opportunity to throw a hack. Be patient, remember the paddle must transfer from outside (wave face side), to the inside, keep laying back and waiting for the weight transfer. The weight shift comes much later than you'd think but when it does- HAMMER DOWN ON IT! Throw a huge fan, redirect and glide away.



One last thing- before you can incorporate your paddle into the action you've got to be able to pull off a fairly decent non-paddle assisted cutback. If you can't get your board turning, you won't be able to wrap your board around enough to bring the paddle to the inside of your turn- and you'll end up bogged down with your paddle hung up in the face of the wave. Practice, practice, practice!

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I didn't want to swipe any more pix so here's a link to a Gong page that's full of radical examples of the pivot:

   http://www.gongsup.com/Slash-back.html?lang=fr

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Thanks, John!  Thanks, Gong!

And if anyone has any additional insights they want to add, fire away!

[stoneaxe]

Good stuff Erik. I agree...I'd like to see more posts like this. Definitely gives me something to think about/work on while I'm out there.

[linter]

Bob: As you know, I've got SUP gear coming out the yingyang and I really do wish it was the machine not the man that makes the on-water difference but as much as I lighten my wallet trying to prove it's possible I know it isn't.  That being the case, I really wish the technique forum was added to more often.

  I remember one of the C4 guys saying that your paddle should be in the water 90% of the time -- either in it or on it or in some way being used other than as a guy-sized twirling baton.  The pivot makes good use of the paddle and I sure would like to know more about how to use it.  I think it'd be far more useful for me than knowing more about, say, fin design, much as I find fin design interesting to ponder.

[paddlesurf.net]

Hey Linter!

Thanks for the compliment regarding my post and that turn- it's definitely a fun one!

I'm not the expert on all of these turns but I think quite a bit about them and if what I've got to say helps (or amuses) anybody then I guess it's all worth it.

I wouldn't mind posting my musings regarding other techniques - just drop me an email paddlesurfbaja@gmail.com about what you'd like to know about. If it's something I can do I'll throw something together for all you 'zoners out there.

Haven't checked this forum lately since I've been on the road paddling the last 20 days- I'm pulling together some things for my blog. Let's just say that I had the best surf trip of my life to mainland mexico surfed entirely on a stand up board and my mind is blown! Details and photos soon!

[Russell]

Great article.

I too would like to see more.

Russell

[srfnff]

Hey John,

Welcome home, and we're looking forward to the details of your Mexico trip. Tell All!

I too would like to see a paddle use and tips section. So much about SUP is using the paddle, and linter's right, very little is written about it. Your pole plant article was the best. You must have more up your sleeve eh?
gary

[paddlesurf.net]

Hey Gary-

I'm glad you liked that little piece. Use my advice at your own risk- you never know what damage I might do to your already perfectly fine surfing!

Linter wants to know about cross stepping- I just threw something together for him and I'm going to bust something out about No. Baja for Bill over at KeNalu...

Mexico was UNREAL and I've got more to write about it and Oregon when I've got a couple of minutes... and book is set to wrap!

[srfnff]

John,

I'll be in your territory for the Sacred Craft Conference in October. Will I be able to pick up my autographed copy of your book after I buy you a beer (or three)?
g

[stoneaxe]

Definitely be interested in the book John. I've always enjoyed the blog.

[paddlesurf.net]

Thanks for the positive vibes regarding the surf guide- slow go right now - laying everything out correctly so it gets to print the right way- I'll be at Sacred Craft too - too bad it conflicts with the Battle of the Paddle in Doho though!