What Pivot Means on a Surfboard

Pivoting can have several meanings for surfers, depending on the context in which the term is used. Surfers who are waiting in the water for a wave often face out toward incoming waves, and when they see a wave they like, they turn -- or pivot -- their board to get ready to catch the wave. A surfer riding a wave also may pivot the board to cut back closer to a peaking wave.

Instructions

  1. Watching for Waves

    • 1

      Sit in the middle of the surfboard, with one leg hanging in the water on each side.

    • 2

      Use your left hand to pull water from the front of the surfboard toward the rear. At the same time, use your right hand to push water from the rear of the surfboard toward the front.

    • 3

      Use your legs in conjunction with your hands to help you turn. You will want to kick in the direction opposite that of your hands. So on your right side, for instance, you will want the power stroke to be drawing water back with your foot, while your hand is pushing water forward.

    • 4

      Use these directions to turn toward the right. Reversing the directions turns you toward the left.

    Cutbacks

    • 5

      Imagine or pick a spot high on the wave. You will be pivoting your board around this spot so that you reverse direction and head back along the wave.

    • 6

      Shift your weight so the majority of it is on your back foot. Crouch down and use a sweeping motion with your front foot to help swing the board around, using your weighted back foot as a pivot point.

    • 7

      Use your upper body to help pivot. If you are heading toward the right along a wave, swing your arms and upper body from right to left, in conjunction with the sweeping motion of your front foot.