Cutbacks are a tactical maneuver. Bodyboarders often perform cutbacks to control speed and get back to the critical part of the wave.
It's all in the pocket. The pocket of the wave holds the key to almost everything. After taking off and bottom turning, riders often gain too much speed towards the shoulder section.
But if you want to keep on pulling tricks and performing maneuvers on the face of the wave, you need to manage what the roller has to offer, i.e., the unbroken part of the wave - that is where the energy is.
A cutback is a passport to riding a wave to its full potential. If you learn how to do it - and it is quite simple - you'll double or triple the surfing time.
What you're about to do is basically an S-shaped turn.
Cutbacks in bodyboarding are a sum of simple body weight transfers, from inside rail to outside rail and vice-versa.
Cutback 101
Learn how to complete a cutback while riding a boogie board.
- Catch a wave;
- Perform a bottom turn;
- Draw a speedy surf line midway up the face of the wave;
- Shift your weight to your outside rail and the back of the board;
- Focus on your spot - look where you want to go;
- Grab the nose, force the turn, and let the board produce a good-looking fan of water;
- Shift your weight to your inside rail;
- Resume the ride and go for more maneuvers;
Alternatively, try the cutback reverse spin when you've mastered the art of cutting back.
It is basically a cutback that evolves into a 360. You'll need time and enough wave face to complete the rotation.