Frontside Carves Explained: A Comprehensive Guide to Unexpected and Welcome Techniques

world,drawing inspiration from veteran Taylor Knox and honing his skills with guidance from …Lost Surfboards.">
October 14, 2025

Lucas Owston, a 20-Year-Old Surfer from Oceanside, California, is rapidly ascending in the competitive surfing landscape. Frequent summer sessions at Lower Trestles have allowed him to meticulously study and absorb the techniques of high-caliber surfers, laying the groundwork for his promising career.

Learning From a Legend

Owston frequently observes 54-Year-Old Taylor Knox, a Former World Tour Veteran, admiring his unwavering rail game and powerful frontside maneuvers. He considers Knox a major influence, repeatedly emphasizing the veteran’s frequently enough-underappreciated skill.According to the World Surf league, Knox competed at the top level for over two decades, showcasing remarkable longevity in a demanding sport.

“He’s a huge inspiration for me and how I want to surf,” Owston stated. “People don’t give him enough credit. He still rips.”

Salina Cruz Expedition

This summer, Owston ventured to Salina Cruz, Mexico, alongside surfers Eithan Osborne and Micah Margieson.The trio, accompanied by jason “Mini” Blanchard, focused on capturing footage of the region’s renowned right-hand point breaks. Despite challenging conditions-including persistent mosquito swarms,a three-day power outage,and oppressive heat-the team successfully amassed footage for an upcoming project.

Equipment and Expertise

Owston’s progression is also attributed to his connection with …Lost Surfboards, where he currently serves as a team rider.He praised the guidance of Matt Biolos, the company’s founder and a highly respected shaper, highlighting the impactful support received from the entire …Lost team.

“Matt helps me out so much. I’m super thankful for him because he’s one of the best surfboard shapers in the world,” Owston said. “He’s so good at understanding what kind of a surfer you are and making the right boards.”

Surfer	Age (as of Oct 14, 2025)	Key Skill
Lucas Owston	20	Powerful Frontside Hacks
Taylor Knox	54	Unflappable Rail Game
Caity Simmers	19	Balanced Surfing and Filmmaking

Did You Know? Matt Biolos, founder of …Lost Surfboards, has been shaping boards for over 30 years and is considered a pioneer in modern surfboard design.

Inspired by Simmers, focused on the Future

Looking ahead, Owston draws inspiration from fellow Oceanside resident and 2024 world Champion, Caity Simmers. He admires Simmers’ ability to balance competitive surfing with creative filmmaking, a path he hopes to emulate.Owston intends to combine a potential career on the World Surf League tour with his passion for film production, aiming to create compelling surf-focused content.

“I’m pretty creative and I just love the whole aspect of filmmaking in surfing,” Lucas said. “I really like creating high-quality films with really good surfing.”

Pro Tip: When seeking guidance on surfboard design, actively listen to your shaper’s insights. Their experience can be invaluable in refining your equipment to match your style.

What are your thoughts on the importance of mentorship in professional surfing? And how do you see the intersection of surfing and filmmaking evolving?

The Enduring Appeal of Rail Surfing

While aerial maneuvers have come to dominate modern surfing, the basic skill of rail surfing continues to underpin high-performance wave riding. Mastering the rail allows surfers to maintain control and generate speed through turns, providing a foundation for more advanced maneuvers. Veteran surfers like Taylor Knox exemplify the enduring effectiveness of a strong rail game.

The Role of Surfboard Design

The collaboration between surfers and shapers remains pivotal in surfing’s evolution. Innovative designs, such as those pioneered by …Lost Surfboards, are continually pushing the boundaries of performance. Tailored boards, crafted to suit a surfer’s unique style and wave conditions, can unlock their full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lucas Owston

What is Lucas Owston’s surfing style?

Lucas Owston favors powerful frontside hacks, mirroring the style of Taylor Knox.

Who is Lucas Owston’s primary inspiration?

Taylor Knox is a major influence for Lucas Owston, both in surfing technique and overall approach.

What role does …Lost Surfboards play in Lucas’s career?

…Lost Surfboards provides Lucas with high-quality equipment and guidance from Matt Biolos.

What are Lucas Owston’s long-term goals?

Lucas aims to compete on the world Surf League tour while also pursuing his passion for surf filmmaking.

Where did Lucas Owston film with Eithan Osborne and Micah Margieson?

the trio filmed in Salina Cruz, Mexico, at its famous right-hand point breaks.

Please share this article with your friends and leave a comment below with your take on the future of surfing!

How does maintaining a “quiet” upper body contribute to balance and efficient edge engagement during a frontside carve?

Understanding the Fundamentals of Frontside Carving

Frontside carving, a cornerstone of advanced skiing and snowboarding, isn’t just about turning; it’s about how you turn. It’s a technique that prioritizes edge engagement, creating clean, powerful arcs. Many riders initially focus on skidding turns, but transitioning to carving unlocks a new level of control, efficiency, and enjoyment on the slopes. This guide breaks down the mechanics,benefits,and progression steps for mastering frontside carves.Key terms you’ll encounter include edge hold, counter-rotation, and pressure control.

What Exactly Is a Frontside Carve?

A true frontside carve involves the board or skis engaging the snow on their edges, creating a smooth, continuous arc without skidding. Think of it like a car tire gripping the road during a turn.

* Direction: The turn is initiated and completed while facing towards the inside of the arc (frontside).

* Edge Engagement: The majority of the turn is powered by the edge of the board/skis biting into the snow.

* No Skidding: minimal to no sliding or skidding occurs during the carve. A clean carve leaves a single, defined track in the snow.

* Body Position: A balanced, athletic stance with subtle shifts in weight and pressure are crucial.

The Mechanics of a Perfect Frontside Carve

Let’s dissect the key elements that contribute to a successful frontside carve. Understanding these mechanics will accelerate your learning process. We’ll cover body positioning, edge control, and pressure management.

Body positioning: The Foundation of Control

Your body position is paramount. It’s not about brute force, but about subtle adjustments that maximize edge engagement.

1. Athletic Stance: Knees bent, back relatively straight, and core engaged. This provides a stable platform.
2. Ankle Flexion: Flexing your ankles is critical. this allows you to initiate and maintain edge angle.
3. Upper Body Quiet: Keep your upper body relatively still and facing downhill. Avoid excessive rotation. This helps maintain balance and prevents throwing your weight around.
4. Hand Position: Arms extended slightly forward, maintaining balance and acting as stabilizers.

Edge Control: Initiating and Holding the Turn

Controlling your edge angle is the heart of carving.

* Initiation: Begin the turn by gently tipping your board/skis onto their edges. This is frequently enough initiated by a subtle ankle and knee flexion.

* Edge Angle: increase the edge angle progressively throughout the turn. The steeper the angle, the tighter the turn.

* Maintaining Edge Hold: Maintain consistent pressure on the edge throughout the arc. This requires constant adjustments to your body position.

* Releasing the edge: Smoothly release the edge at the end of the turn to transition to the next.

Pressure Management: Fine-Tuning Your Carve

Pressure control is about distributing your weight effectively to maximize edge hold and control.

* Fore/Aft Pressure: Adjusting pressure forward or backward influences edge engagement. Slightly forward pressure generally enhances edge hold.

* Lateral Pressure: Applying pressure to the inside edge of the turn is essential for carving.

* Dynamic pressure: Pressure isn’t static. It needs to shift and adjust throughout the turn to maintain control and flow.

Progression Drills for Mastering Frontside Carves

Don’t expect to nail perfect carves overnight. A progressive approach with focused drills is key.

1. Wedge Turns to Parallel Turns: Ensure you’re pleasant with solid parallel turns before attempting carves.
2. Garland Turns: Practice linking turns in a semi-circular pattern, focusing on initiating edge engagement.
3. One-Footed Drills (Snowboard): Practice riding on one foot to develop balance and edge control.
4. Slow, Intentional Carves: Start with slow, controlled carves, focusing on maintaining edge hold and a smooth arc.Gradually increase speed as your confidence grows.
5. Short Radius vs. Long Radius Carves: Experiment with different turn radii to understand how edge angle and pressure affect the shape of your carve.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even experienced riders can fall into common pitfalls. Here’s how to address them:

* Skidding: often caused by insufficient edge angle or improper weight distribution.Focus on increasing ankle flexion and applying more pressure to the inside edge.

* Counter-Rotation: Rotating your upper body in the opposite direction of the turn.Keep your upper body quiet and facing downhill.

* Leaning In: Rather of engaging the edge, riders frequently enough lean into the turn. Focus on flexing your ankles and maintaining a balanced stance.

* Stiff Legs: Locked knees prevent