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ASK TAYLOR: POST J-BAY QUESTIONS ANSWERED
TK on the hardest thing about being on tour, front- and back-footed surfers and more
Posted: 08/28/10 | Visits: 3,253
| Comments: 9 | View Comments
What's the hardest part about being on Tour? -- Liam Mahoney
The hardest part of being on tour is not having my family with me. And the second hardest is probably surfing against your friends. When we go to spots like Tahiti or Hawaii, the waves take a couple of days to get used to because they're so different from where you grew up, but after spending so many years going to these places you definitely adapt quicker than when you were young. When I come, I always have a greater sense of appreciation for where I live. Most of our travels take us to places that are amazing, but what you don't see on the Internet is the poverty and dysfunction that a lot of people are in. I try to let my kids know how lucky they are to live in such a great place and country. I know our country has a lot to work on but the little bubble of Southern Cali is pretty nice. I want to get them to Africa, Brazil, and Mexico to see how simple these people live and still find happiness in the little things. So as a parent, I just trying to keep them from comparing what others have and they don't.
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| Taylor making the most of a down day in Tahiti. Photo: Sean Rowland |
Are there any benefits to being front- or back-footed? When I found out I was front-footed, I almost wanted to completely learn switch to take advantage of my stronger leg/foot on the tail, rather than in the middle of the board. Also, could you share if you know of any front-footed pro and any exercises on balancing that out? Thanks. -- Jonathan Silva
I feel like you can be front-footed with no disadvantage. I mean, there are times on a board that I'm heavily front-footed to drive around a section. I look at Dane R. and feel like he surfs a lot on his front foot -- and we all know how good he is. I think you have to find the right equipment if you're front-footed, I know the Dumpster Diver works really well for front-footed surfers. I wouldn't really call myself a pure back-footed surfer, even though I've been accused of that a lot. Don't try to change your surfing completely just to be more back-footed; I'd just try to find the right board. A fun way to practice surfing when the waves are flat and really lets you work on technique is riding a Carver skateboard around and you can make it a habit to shift a little more weight in your stance to your back leg. There's one more thing you might want to try. We get distracted with our eyes. So if you're looking down the line too much, you tend to want to lean more towards what's right in front because you may be rushing a little to get to the next section. Keep your eyes closer to where you are and what's right in front of you.
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| Dane Reynolds is often called a front-footed surfer -- ain't nothing wrong with that. Photo: ASP/Kirstin |
One question on scoring -- J-Bay for Kelly's heat with Sean Holmes. Kelly did every trick, but didn't get set waves like Sean, who, with his back, surfed like a stickman. What do you think about the way scores vary? -- Ed Pendleton
Yeah, I felt Kelly definitely won that heat on his surfing, even though he didn't have the best waves. Sean's back was hurting him, I know that for sure, but Kelly looked sharper and faster. A lot times when there's lulls in heats and nothing for a while it's really easy to get excited when a four-foot wave comes in; I'm not sure what happened up in the tower, but you have to remember that everyone there was screaming for Sean because he's the hometown hero -- and that may have made his score jump a little.
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| Sean Holmes carves down the line in his Slater-beating heat. Photo: ASP/Kirstin |
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Have a question for Taylor? Of course you do! Ask below.
Read more entries from this blog » Comments: (9) Add Your Comment
Bob West 08/30/2010 05:59 AM
Can you give some advice on taking off on real steep, slabby waves or when they're already pitching and you're under the lip.
thanks - BW
Jon 08/30/2010 12:13 AM
What did you mean exactly when you said that you had to heal your mind before you could heal your body? Thanks
Jeff 08/29/2010 11:07 PM
As a tour veteran, can you give some tips on strength and stretching exercises to keep you in shape and still ripping as a veteran?
Lee Tom 08/29/2010 03:24 PM
Hi Taylor, I would really like to enter a competition but dont feel like im good enough to win one yet, i started when i was 15 and now am 17, is it too late for me to become good and get a sponcer? as i know all the pro's started surfing when they was 3-12, were in compeitions at a young age and they got sponcers at around 12 years old. Thankyou
Pete Wyndham 08/29/2010 12:40 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
Anyone have any feedback on the Dumpster Diver they'd like to share with us?
Dylan 08/28/2010 05:29 PM
Do you feel that it is beneficial to watch yourself surf on film?
Jeffrey McGuire 08/28/2010 03:16 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
Surfing should be about surfing, not the wave! The wave should boost your score! Skate boarders don't get extra points for the ramp. The provides the medium!
PitchOut 08/26/2010 10:45 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname
Have you ever experimented with Surf sunglasses / goggles?
Jack 08/26/2010 09:35 PM
G'day Taylor. Do You take any diet supplements for Ur muscles to keep Ur strengh? Im 32 surf daily from Oz and was born in the water. what tips do U have 4 maintaining surf strength? thanx
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