1 & 3

Left foot at 1 o'clock Right foot at 3 o'clock
If you are a REGULAR foot surfer, your front left foot should be pointed to 1 o'clock and your back right foot should be pointed to 3 o'clock

if you are a GOOFY foot surfer, your right front foot should be pointed to 11 o'clock and your back left foot should be pointed to 9 o'clock


here Tom from Canoes' surf break shows proper form. It is a very stable stance which controls front to back and side to side movement.


3 o'clock - 3 o'clock stance leads to the dreaded "X" stance. It is strong front to back but very weak side to side. It doesnt allow you to go back side.


Completely opposite is the 12 o'clock - 12 o'clock stance. A lot of instructors tells their student to keep their chest forward to the beach. That ends up with their toes also facing the beach. With this stance it is very easy to fall backwards.


Here the back foot is slightly pointed to the rail. But the feet are almost inline with each other, one on either side of the center stringer. Notice how her chest and both knees are facing the front


That stance is called PARALLEL. It was a old time classic stance. Not many people use that technique. I have seen Joel Tudor use it to make it thru sections


One good thing is you can tuck your body really low.


another benefit of the Parallel stance is that you can do TOE DRAGS.


But do I recommmend you try doing PARALLEL stance ? No, Parallel riding is NOT for beginners. You have to be good at walking the board before you attempt it.


when you are ready it is a cool riding feeling. You can really feel the waves energy under your board.

But until then , keep your feet at 1 o'clock and 3 o'clock !!!

Check out http://starb.on.coocan.jp/ and see if you can find Parallel riding.