Walk onto any beach around the world and you’ll spot surfers carving up waves with different stances. Some lead with their left foot forward (regular footers) and others with their right foot forward (goofy footers). The term “goofy foot” comes from old Disney cartoons where Goofy was often depicted skiing with his right foot forward. Far from being a disadvantage, the stance creates a distinctive approach to riding waves that’s shaped some of surfing’s most iconic styles.
What does goofy foot mean?
In surfing, your stance is determined by which foot you naturally place at the front of the board. A regular stance means your left foot leads, while a goofy stance positions your right foot forward. The stance affects everything from how you read waves to the way you execute turns and manoeuvres.
Am I goofy?
Well, we’re not here to tell you if you exhibit goofy traits or not. But if you’re wondering if you have goofy foot when surfing, there’s a way to tell. Have someone gently push you from behind when you’re not expecting it. Whichever foot naturally steps forward to catch yourself is likely your lead foot.
About 30% to 40% of surfers ride goofy, including legends like Gerry Lopez, Rob Machado, and Gabriel Medina, whose fluid, creative styles have helped redefine modern surfing. Their dominance at certain breaks—particularly left-handers where goofy footers face the wave—speaks volumes about how stance influences performance.
Regular vs goofy: what’s the difference?
The difference between regular and goofy comes down to which way you’re naturally facing when riding a wave. For regular footers, righthand breaks (waves that break from right to left when viewed from shore) mean they’re facing the wave. For goofy footers, it’s the opposite. They face the wave on left-breaking waves.
Wave approach and vision
Goofy surfers typically have better visibility and wave reading on left-breaking waves because they’re facing the wave’s face. Their body position allows them to see the section developing ahead, making it easier to anticipate the wave’s movement. On right-handers, they’re surfing with their back to the wave, requiring more neck turning and peripheral vision to track the wave’s behaviour.
Different turning mechanics
The biomechanics of turning differ significantly between stances. Goofy surfers often develop powerful frontside bottom turns on left-breaking waves, using their body weight more effectively because they can see where they’re going. At the same time, their backside turns on right-handers require more torso rotation and flexibility since they’re turning “blind.”
How being goofy foot affects your surfing style
Watching footage of surf legends, you might notice that many goofy footers, from Tom Carroll to Gabriel Medina, share certain stylistic elements. Their frontside attacks on left-breaking waves often feature deep bottom turns followed by vertical lip hits. This distinctive approach comes from the natural biomechanics of facing the wave, allowing for more dynamic weight shifts and better visual tracking of the lip.
On backhand waves, goofy surfers typically develop a more compact style, keeping their upper body aligned over the board rather than opening up too much. This compressed stance helps maintain control when they can’t fully see what’s ahead. Many goofy surfers compensate for reduced visibility on their backhand by developing extraordinary sensitivity in their feet and ankles, feeling the wave’s movements through their board rather than relying solely on visual cues.
Tips and techniques for goofy foot surfers
Embracing your goofy stance means leaning into its natural advantages while working to overcome its challenges. Here’s how to make the most of your goofy-footed approach:
- Work on neck and upper back flexibility to improve visibility when surfing backside on right-handers
- Practice “blind” turns by focusing on feeling the wave through your feet rather than relying solely on vision
- Develop a powerful frontside attack for left-breaking waves, where you have a natural advantage
- Build core and hip rotational strength for more dynamic backside manoeuvres
Many surf coaches recommend that goofy surfers spend extra time practicing their backside turns, especially in smaller waves where it’s safer to experiment.
Can you switch your stance?
While most surfers have a dominant stance that feels natural, learning to ride switch (opposite your natural stance) offers significant benefits. Top professionals like Kelly Slater and John John Florence—both regular footers—occasionally ride switches to access different lines on the wave or add variety to their repertoire.
For everyday surfers, practicing your switch stance can improve overall balance and coordination. Start in small, gentle waves where you can safely focus on the fundamentals. Don’t expect to rip right away. Learning to switch is like starting from scratch, but it gives you a deeper understanding of board control that translates back to your natural stance.
Ride your own wave
Whether you’re goofy or regular, your stance is just one element of your unique surfing identity. The most stylish surfers embrace their natural tendencies rather than fighting against them. From Tom Carroll’s explosive backhand attack to Rob Machado’s flowing, artistic approach, the most memorable surfers develop styles that complement their stance instead of compensating for it.
Whether you’re a little goofy or not, hit the waves with surf lessons that’ll get you riding to the best of your abilities. Book with us today.
