losethestraps.com

When kiting in the surf, is it ever better to ride a wave in your un-natural stance? Or can you always be in your natural stance to ride the wave?

eabmoto wrote:When kiting in the surf, is it ever better to ride a wave in your un-natural stance? Or can you always be in your natural stance to ride the wave?

This is an interesting question, and I am sure you will get many different opinions if you ask people. From my perspective it is very important to ride a wave both directions, and in fact, I force myself to do so.

One day and I was out riding with one of my good friends, Tim, and he was crushing waves going either direction. He was equally good going either way front side, and I could not figure out his natural or favored foot. When I got back on the beach that day I asked him what is natural stance was, and turns out he was goofy, but I could not determine it by watching him rip. I was impressed to say the least. From that day forward I decided that I would no longer be just a regular footed rider, and would start working also on my switch riding.

It is interesting as well, because the KSP tour is scoring riders higher if they ride a wave regular vs. switch, which I think is an important distinction when judging.

KSP Judging Guidelines:
Kite Surfers must perform according to the KSP judging key elements to maximize their
scoring potential. Judges analyze the following major elements when scoring waves:
• Commitment
• Degree of difficulty
• Innovative and progressive maneuvers
• Combination of major maneuvers
• Variety of maneuvers
• Speed, power and flow
Riding strapless, switch, unhooked or displaying any combination thereof is considered
more technically difficult.