Back in the 60's, Greenough altered his take off technique when he rode Velo in weaker, dead based waves.
George used to refer to them as "double clutch takeoffs." What he would do is drop down the face part of the way, then stall, and let the power in the wave rebuild, then drop in again, this time with the added forward momentum left over from the first partial drop in. The process takes all of two or three seconds, tops.
This is like double clutching a big truck when starting from a dead stop. You let the clutch out, give it some gas, and the truck moves forward a bit. Then you depress the clutch, re-rev the engine, and release the clutch again. With the forward motion of the first start and the fresh RPMs in the engine, the truck now moves with less strain on the power train. This was a common practice back when gear boxes weren't synchronized, and still used today.
OK, so how does this relate to mat riding?
On waves without a firm base or a clear cut power line -- meaning kind of weak and junky -- you can stall part of the way down the face, and after a moment, drop in more forcefully combining the speed from your first drop and the steepening of the wave. It's a subtle move, and well worth trying the next time you're out in less than perfect surf!
4 comments:
Hoho!Over here,the wave would've closed out in that time.I tend to take a high line on takeoff,check if it's going to hold up,then commit to swooping down on the fold like an avenging eagle!
Like the truck analogy though.
We often get ourselves a CONVOY!!10-4 rubber duck.
another aweome tip thanks pg!!!!!
"I tend to take a high line on takeoff,check if it's going to hold up,then commit to swooping down on the fold like an avenging eagle!"
What you're describing is a variation of a double clutch take off. Meaning, you're not dropping straight down the face, but hovering high and letting things develop.
And "10-4 Rubber Duck" sounds like a great made-for-DVD feature release. I wonder if Burt Reynolds is up for another CB trucker movie?
Last thing I heard,Burt was bankrupt and selling up his Bel-Air mansion,complete with home hair salon.For a bloke who sports a "syrup"!That's high living.
"Hovering high and letting things develop".Burt's toupee may agree.
We've already got Charlie onboard,Mickey Rourke's making promising noises.It's only a matter of time.
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