How To Cutback

Here are the 4 steps to having the best surfing cutback on the beach. The cutback is a beautiful maneuver and it’s relatively easy to learn. It’s the first maneuver we teach our beginner surfing students because it’s important that they’re able to stay close to the power pocket of the wave. Also once you have the cutback under your belt it will make it much easier to learn bottom turns, top turns and floaters.

The ideal conditions for learning the cutback are small, gentle, slow breaking waves. At our beachfront retreat, we’re lucky most days to have these conditions right out in front, just yards away. If the conditions get too big we hop in the van and head south to the point breaks. This video includes progression drills towards doing the full 180 degree cutback. Here are some video highlights:

0:45 When to do it
1:03 Stage 1 - look up
1:20 Stage 2 - compress, push the knees down
1:40 Stage 3 - rotate
3:42 Stage 4 - counter rotate
4:38 backside vs frontside
5:10 dry land practice
5:37 progression drills

We hope these tips will get you on your board and on to great adventures at Pura Vida Adventures—or anywhere else the waves take you! If you’re looking to rekindle your playful passion for life while learning how to surf, come visit us at Pura Vida Adventures in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Pura Vida offers all-inclusive surf and yoga retreats where beginners can learn to surf in a welcoming and relaxed environment, and those who know how to surf can continue refining their craft.

Inspiring women since 2004, founder Tierza Eichner has created the perfect women’s retreat that you will never want to leave… an adventurous blend of surfing, yoga, fresh healthy meals, and daily activities with an amazing group of women. Special coed retreats are open to men as well, who also rave about our incredible surf instruction (visit our website for more details!).

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