How to Nail a Forehand Snap Without Losing Speed
The forehand snap is one of surfing’s most satisfying turns – but for many intermediates, it’s also one of the most frustrating. It’s a quick, vertical change of direction that throws spray and looks powerful, but it only works if your timing, positioning, and body mechanics are right.
Here’s how to start getting it right – and avoid the mistakes that kill your speed.
1. Set It Up in the Pocket – Not the Flats
Snaps lose speed by design. If you do them out on the shoulder, you’ll kill momentum with no way to get it back. The fix:
- Stay near the foam and the steepest part of the wave
- Commit to a real bottom turn before snapping
- Avoid racing down the line just to “get safe”
2. Balance Your Energy Between Bottom Turn and Snap
Many surfers throw 80% of their effort into the bottom turn, leaving nothing for the snap. Instead:
- Keep the bottom turn smooth and efficient (30–40% effort)
- Save energy for the twist and release at the top
- Think of the snap as a lean and twist, not just a tail blow
3. Look Where You Want to Hit
Your eyes lead your board. If you’re looking down the line, you’ll end up projecting across the wave instead of up and back down.
- Spot the lip early in your bottom turn
- Keep your head and shoulders open toward the section you want to hit
4. Use Your Arms to Open Up
Locking your arms in front of your body closes your hips and limits rotation.
- Move your lead arm out of the way of the board
- “Punch through” with your trailing arm to drive rotation
5. Don’t Avoid the Steep Section
Fear pushes many intermediates toward the shoulder – but the best snaps happen right in the power zone. Get comfortable taking off deeper, compressing into your bottom turn, and releasing into the lip.
How TRAX Helps Dial in Your Snap
TRAX tracks exactly where on the wave you’re turning, how vertical your snaps are, and how your weight shifts through the maneuver. With clear data on your turn angles, compression, and speed loss or gain, you can pinpoint why a snap works – and repeat it next time.
Related Reading:
→ Look where you want to go – the surfing habit that changes everything — Your eyes lead your board
→ Frustrated with your surfing? That’s where progress starts — Why the discomfort zone is where growth happens
→ Surf progression starts in your head – not just your surfing — Mindset shifts that accelerate skill growth
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