4 FUNDAMENTAL SURF MANEUVERS

Throughout your career as a surfer, you will learn from the simplest movements to the most elaborate maneuvers. However, there are four moves that will be repeated for each wave you catch. Once you get the hang of them, you’ll see how they influence all of your surfing.

    1. Take Off (Puesta en Pie)

The “take off” is your first step in the world of surfing, marking the beginning of your journey on the wave. It consists of standing up on the board. Solid technique allows you to get the most out of the wave, laying the foundation for future maneuvers.

The key is to position the board at the proper angle to the lip and face of the wave. Once you decide on your angle, paddle determinedly and without hesitation.

Maintaining a low center of gravity is essential. Squat down and shift your weight to get into the wave with ease.

 

    1. Bottom Turn (Giro en la Base)

The “bottomturn” is a turn at the base of the wave, transforming the downward direction into an upward direction to return to the top of the wave.

This movement converts the vertical energy of the fall into horizontal energy when spinning down. This will give you the right speed and direction to keep surfing.

It is the first maneuver after standing up and is repeated throughout the wave. Use it to recover energy or in critical areas.

 

    1. Top Turn (Giro en la Cima)

The “top turn” occurs at the top of the wave, switching from going up to going down to increase speed. This upturn puts you in position to feel the next wave.

Like the “bottom turn”, there are two types: facing the wave and facing away from it.

 

    1. Cutback (Rebote)

The “cutback” joins ups and downs to return to the most energetic part of the wave. In “soft” sections, the 180º turn revitalizes at the bottom of the wall.

A skilled surfer combines these moves on the wave.

In addition, there are other maneuvers such as the floater, the snap, the lay back and the highly desired tube and aerial maneuvers, which we have not yet explored.

If you have questions or want us to go deeper into a topic, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment! Have a great surf sessions!

If you want to learn to surf safely, do not hesitate to join us in Huanchaco, Peru. The Urcia Surf School team awaits you to take you out to sea.

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Urcia Surf School | Los Cerezos 114, Huanchaco, Peru | +51 979 698 547 | info@urciasurfschool.com

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Caballito tour

For thousands of years local fishermen have been using Caballitos de Totora (reed surfboard-like boats) to navigate the ocean and surf the waves. It’s how surfing in Peru started! During our Caballito tour, Santos Urcia – father of Juninho – will show you how a caballito is made and will explain about this tradition that is still very much alive today. Of course you will have plenty of opportunity to try riding one yourself and catch some fish! Afterwards we will have a traditional Peruvian Ceviche lunch where we will prepare the catch of the day together. The tour takes about half a day in total.

Caballito de totora tour by Urcia Surf School in Huanchaco

Massage

After some days of intense surfing a massage can pep you up again! Massages last 1 hour and take place at our masseurs. Let your masseur know which muscles you prefer to be treated.

Yoga

Start or end your day with a relaxing yoga session! The sessions take 1 hour and take place at the beach. Your yoga instructor will adapt the exercises to your level.

Breakfast

Our hearty and healthy surfer breakfast includes coffee or tea, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruits, bread, cheese, ham and eggs. 

We cater for vegetarians, vegans and or alergies. Please indicate this in the comment area.

Breakfast at Urcia Surf House

Spanish Lessons

Combining surfing with learning Spanish
If besides surfing you are up for another challenge, we also offer Spanish lessons as an option for all our surf camp packages. It’s not uncommon for the friendly locals of Huanchaco to start a conversation or give you surf tips while waiting for the next set of waves. Thus you can directly put your new Spanish skills to practice. What better and more relaxed way of learning Spanish than doing so while surfing?

Spanish Lessons
For the Spanish lessons we work together with Manuel, a local spanish teacher with a lot of experience. In 1-hour lessons in small groups he will help build your confidence speaking and understanding Spanish, so that in no-time you will be able to chat with the locals, be it in the line-up or at the bar. The first Spanish lesson your current level will be assessed and based on that the focus for the rest of the course will be determined. At the end of every class you will receive some homework to continue learning in between classes at your own pace.