Surfing, Skateboarding, Music, Photography, Travel, Culture and general antics of the youth on the run.

The case for goofyfoots The surfers who make having your right foot forward colorful and wonderful

what youth goofy foots surfing mark occilupo

If you were to say regularfoots dominate the surf world, you might actually have a case. It often feels like goofies get pegged with being “unique”, but sheer World Champ numbers, final video part counts and a variety of other super unscientific factors would tell you they call it “regular” because there’s just more of them. Kelly, Andy, Tom Curren, John John. Mick. Parko. Dane and so on. The World Champ list is dotted with the goofies, but it’s dominated by left foot forward. But there’s an art and a look to being goofyfooted that can’t be argued. And when a peak breaks, it goes two ways. And since no one has a relationship with a left like a goofyfooter, we wanted to take a look at some of the guys who epitomize what it means to be goofy. Below we’ve unearthed some approaches that would make you proud to be a goofy, and maybe a little jealous if you’re regular. —Nick Neighbors


Cory Lopez in What’s Really Going On:

Cory Lopez is probably one of the most technically interesting goofyfooters out there. He takes the unique quirks that go into being goof footed and provides a perfect illustration of the interesting subtleties that go into it.


Christian Fletcher in an Astrodeck vid:

If you’re going to try to go above the lip on a left with your right foot on the front grip, Christian is the original to watch.


Justin Matteson in Voluptuous:

If you’re looking to get reckless in the sea and got grip all over your board, this is what watching Christian your whole life looks like a few years later.


Rob Machado in Momentum:

This is the birth of goofy flow. Probably the smoothest and most recognizeable goofy style of the time. A great place to start if you want to improve your own style.


Bobby Martinez in “Whatever Beach”:

Bobby reinvented the goofyfooted backhand. His backhand strike is absolutely perfect.


Ozzie Wright in Doop Brain

This video psyches me up because it’s Ozzie on a super basic looking thruster. He’s super young here (1996), and still has his classic style but with a high performance shortboard. It makes me want to take out a normal shortboard all the time and make it look like you’re riding something alternative at the same time.


Kalani Robb in The Kill 2

At one point Kalani was considered the “fastest surfer in the world.” Kalani is a staple to the Momentum generation and brought the youthful flair and energy to the crew. Style was crisp, fast, raw style — with a martial arts influence baked in there somewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGiI7wag-T0&feature=youtu.be


Ryan Callinan in “The Stretch”:

Ryan Callinan has that same Cory Lopez reach, but reimagined with modern flair. And his backhand windup and whip is the top choice for emulating when you wanna spin.


Clay Marzo in Young Guns 2:

Clay is like the wildcard freesurfer of the world. Went from mainstream to underground and hasn’t lost a step. The spotlight wasn’t really for him, but the cat-like whip to recovery is his and only his.


Occy in “The Definitive Collection” (1994-2006):

Occy is another must-mention because he’s the guy you think about when you think of legendary goofy footers. He invented power violence as a style. He’s why we’re all here really. And I don’t care what the haters say, I love the Occ-casts.


Craig Anderson in “Luxury 29.99”:

Craig was one of my first favorite surfers ever. The first connection I had with the freesurfing world was watching him and Dane do their thing with Marine Layer Productions. He has become the perennial goofyfoot style of the modern moment.

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