Stop looking at your feet

[IRideYellow]

I proner told me this the other day after 4 attempts to stand up in choppy conditions.  Next time I looked at the horizon as I popped up.  It was like magic.  BAM! Up and stable.  Then when I started looking at the horizon when paddling I also noticed more stability doing that as well.

Amazing what a difference a little change make. 

[Zooport]

Agree, I made that discovery a while back and it also transformed my balance.  I still have to concentrate on that in choppy conditions and a tippy board. 

[Zooport]

PS.  How do you like your Sunova?

[PonoBill]

I wear a ballcap, but I get ones that I can flip the visor up on so I can look forward when I'm standing up. When you're up and going, it's good to look a bit ahead of you, but not at the horizon. Don't look at the water near to you or you'll soon be in it, but look ahead so you can see the patterns of the water ahead of you. Even if you're getting ready to paddle into a big peaking wave, it's a big help if you can find some small stuff right in front of you that you can use to pick up speed.

[stoneaxe]

I haven't looked at my feet almost from the start. I found out early that the horizon is so critical to my balance that when its gone (foggy) I often can't stand. If I look down at my feet for any length of time my head starts going left. I'm always scanning the surface like Bill says but keep the horizon in my field of view. It's seems silly how important it is but no question what effect it has. Unlike Bill I can't wear a ballcap....it creates a false horizon that throws me off.

[SUPflorida]

Agree...one of the first things my dad taught me when going off shore...you start feeling sick look at the horizon not at the boat.

Those of us who comes from a catamaran sailing and/or windsurfing (intermediate +) background start with an advantage here. One learns real quick in to read the water...not seeing a strong gust coming will give you an unscheduled trip over the handle bars. So eyes are on the water 50'-100' ahead and strong peripheral awareness to the upwind end of things when wind is hitting you on the beam.

Can't speak for other locations, but gusty conditions are the norm in my area. Yesterday it went from 10-20 mph up and down...one minute you moving along at a good clip....the next your lucky to hold your ground.

[IRideYellow]

PS.  How do you like your Sunova?

Love it.  Getting longer rides so I have more opportunity to try different things. Very light on its feet and responsive.  It reminds me of my performance 9.0 Arrow long board from 2000.  Has that kind of responsiveness though it is much faster.   I like the way it rides over the whitewater which is not possible with my 7'10 that kind of just plows into it. Really pleased.  And it appears to be very tough as I have already banged it pretty good on concrete stairs, wooden hand rails, asphalt and riding it over a rock.  All without anything more then insignificant scratches.

I have been approached by a few proners who are curious about it.  They generally do not say anything but just look at like they would a fish that washes up on the beach.  Trying to puzzle out its species.

[Zooport]

PS.  How do you like your Sunova?

Love it.  Getting longer rides so I have more opportunity to try different things. Very light on its feet and responsive.  It reminds me of my performance 9.0 Arrow long board from 2000.  Has that kind of responsiveness though it is much faster.   I like the way it rides over the whitewater which is not possible with my 7'10 that kind of just plows into it. Really pleased.  And it appears to be very tough as I have already banged it pretty good on concrete stairs, wooden hand rails, asphalt and riding it over a rock.  All without anything more then insignificant scratches.

I have been approached by a few proners who are curious about it.  They generally do not say anything but just look at like they would a fish that washes up on the beach.  Trying to puzzle out its species.

A very strange looking board, indeed.  Sure seems to work though.  I think I want one.

[Luc Benac]

What a good reminder.
This winter I have been working at improving my overall speed and trimming.
As a result I have started to look almost exclusively at the Makai before my feet and the nose of the board.
I started to feel like I am loosing my balance instead of gaining more with TOW...now I am reminded why.

Cheers,

Luc

[supsurf-tw]

Yes as Ponobill said look a ways in front but not the horizon. Think of it like driving fast through corners. You don't look at the road right in front of you or too far ahead, just far enough to see what's coming next