The 3 Biggest Traps Holding Intermediate Surfers Back
Progression at the intermediate stage isn’t about muscling turns or forcing maneuvers – it’s about moving more efficiently, matching the wave, and avoiding habits that work against you.
Here are three common traps that stall progression, and how to avoid them.
1. Pushing Too Hard With the Back Foot
The old advice to “just push harder on the tail pad” is misleading.
Slamming the tail disengages the rail and creates drag – the opposite of what you want in most situations.
Instead:
- Use your rail to hold and control the turn
- Keep pressure consistent through the whole movement
- Aim for smoothness, not brute force
A cutback held for four seconds will throw more spray and look more powerful than one you force in a single second.
2. Trying Too Hard to Force It
When you set out to “make something happen” – like forcing a barrel or a critical turn – you often bring tension into your surfing. That stiffness kills flow and limits movement.
Better approach:
- Go out with one focus, but let opportunities arise naturally
- Match your goal to the conditions
- Don’t try to manufacture a maneuver that the wave isn’t offering
3. Overpowering the Wave
Waves have their own energy, determined by size, steepness, and swell period. Leaning too hard on a soft, weak wave will bog your rail or blow out your fins.
Key takeaway:
- Match the power of the wave
- Lean harder on powerful, steep waves
- Go softer and smoother on weak, slow ones
The best surfers aren’t fighting the wave – they’re in sync with it.
How TRAX Helps You Avoid These Traps
TRAX shows you:
- Whether you’re maintaining speed through turns or stalling out
- How consistent your pressure and movement are
- How your performance changes with different conditions
That data makes it easier to spot when you’re forcing things – and to train for flow instead.
Related Reading:
→ Why surfing rail to rail feels better – and works better — Use the wave’s lift instead of fighting it
→ Look where you want to go – the surfing habit that changes everything — Your eyes lead your movement
→ Fix your surf pop-up — Starting balanced sets you up for the rest of the wave
