| Why does it matter which foot is forward in your | | | | At a point break where the waves are breaking |
| surf stance? Many surf breaks have waves that | | | | to the surfer's left we refer to this as a "left". |
| break in a predictable pattern. The waves at point | | | | From the perspective of people watching from |
| breaks for example will consistently break in the | | | | the shore this is somewhat confusing because |
| same direction wave after wave. Your surf | | | | from shore, the wave is breaking to the right. |
| stance will have you surfing front side or backside | | | | However, the term evolved from the water, and |
| to those waves, depending on your surf stance | | | | out in the line-up, the wave is breaking to your |
| Your surf stance is crucial in maintaining your | | | | left as you are paddling to catch the wave. |
| balance on your surfboard. Getting to your feet | | | | If you can imagine yourself in a regular stance, |
| quickly in the manner that feels most natural to | | | | with your left foot forward on the surfboard, |
| you will set you up for the rest of your ride and | | | | catching a wave breaking to your left, you will |
| you will catch more waves. | | | | notice that your back will be to the wave. This is |
| The term, goofy foot is in reference to a surfer | | | | what is referred to as surfing backside. Therefore |
| who surfs with his or her right foot forward on | | | | if you are goofy footed and surfing at a left point |
| the surfboard. A regular or natural stance on the | | | | break you will be surfing waves front side Surfing |
| surfboard is a surfer who puts their left foot | | | | a wave front side, is surfing with the front of |
| forward on the surfboard. Some people learning | | | | your body facing the wave. It is easier to surf a |
| to surf question whether the term goofy foot is | | | | wave front side, and therefore a surfer who is |
| derogatory. It is not, it is simply a surfing term | | | | goofy footed will prefer lefts and a regular stance |
| identifying which foot a surfer has forward on the | | | | surfer will prefer to ride rights. |
| surfboard. | | | | |