Ever wanted to know the difference between a sliding turn and a carving turn when SUP Surfing?
There are so many variations of turn that we can perform on a SUP. Here is a breakdown of the two most common, the sliding turn and the carving turn.
With the sliding turn, the fins releases and the tail of the board slides away from you which makes for a pretty exciting feeling. However, we are not utilising the board’s design elements to create speed and power through our turns, something that’s very important when linking together manoeuvres and getting around sections with speed. This is where we need to perform a carving turn to use the rails and fins to generate drive and speed.
There’s a natural progression through these turns when we start out SUP surfing. Which turn is your go to?
Technique & Tips
Catching your first waves on a SUP / SUPboarder How to video
Technique & Tips
Lucy’s Beginner SUP Surfing Tips
Technique & Tips
Why SUP surf over prone surf as a beginner? / Lucy shares her thoughts
Technique & Tips
New Year Inspiration – Rick Weeks SUP Surfing at 76yo
Technique & Tips
Common Mistakes when catching waves paddleboarding / Beginner & Intermediate SUP Surfers
Technique & Tips
SUP surfing skills on flat water / Get ready for the waves!
Technique & Tips
SUP Surf Stance Tips with Rick Weeks
Technique & Tips






love that one. Feel like I am starting to get carving, but never tried sliding. I’ll have to give it a go!
Feels good to release the fins! Let us know how you get on with it
Can you slide out on your backside? Is it harder?
Yeah you sure can slide out the fins on your backhand. Although it’s much harder to bring the board back under your feet, you can use the paddle to lean on.