The Frontside Roundhouse

I love doing frontside roundhouses. They are a great move because they are useful in all conditions, and they force you to work on both your frontside and backside surfing all on the same wave. The main objective of the frontside roundhouse is to get your board back to the power source of the wave so you will be able to gain speed for your next move.

Start by catching a frontside wave. Cruise down the line, do a floater, and hit the lip. Look for a section that is fairly flat or that is not going to break at all. Start your bottom turn far enough in front of the foam ball so you will be able to turn all the way around and hit the lip on your backhand before it passes you, but not to far because you will loose all your speed. Bottom turn at a 40 to 50 degree angle and drive up the wave using your back leg.

When you reach the middle of the wave initiate your roundhouse by changing your weight to your heel side edge. Try to set your rail right the first time so you will be able to flow through the turn smoothly. Look over your leading shoulder back towards the foam ball, and reach towards the water with your leading hand. Use your back foot to drive through the turn while your front foot guides you. Once you have completed the first part of the turn you will be headed back towards the foam ball.

Keep your eyes focused on the part of the foam ball you want to hit. It is best to hit the section where the lip is just beginning to break at the edge of the foam ball. Bend your knees and keep driving through what is now a backside bottom turn.

Try to go as vertical as you can on your backside snap. As the tip of your board goes over the top of the lip turn your leading shoulder down and back towards the beach. This will cause your board to snap off the lip. Push your back foot through the turn while staying low and centered over your front foot. Look down the line when you have finished the turn, and use the speed you’ve gained for your next bottom turn.

This can be a difficult move to learn because timing is so important, but keep trying because it is useful once you get it down. Check out Taylor Knox, Kelly, and Parko for this one.