Intermediate skills connect your fundamentals to reliable flow and control. Think of this phase as building a confident rhythm—one linked decision at a time—so more of your sessions feel connected, deliberate, and fun.
Start by reconnecting with the pocket. Cutbacks bring you off the shoulder and back to power, where the wave does more of the work. Aim for smooth arcs, steady rail, and a rebound that sends you forward rather than stalling on the flats.
With that connection, travel with the section. Angling down the line lets you draw purposeful lines that match the wave’s pace—higher for glide and projection, lower to tap into push and set up changes in direction.
Now convert clean lines into momentum. Trimming for speed is subtle and continuous—small weight shifts, light rail engagement, and timing that keeps you in the pocket so the next move is already loading.
When it’s time to commit, build your platform. Bottom turns load the rail and project up the face with patience and clarity—eyes on the next section, body stacked, line clean.
And finish with intention. Kick‑outs aren’t an afterthought—they’re a safe, efficient reset that protects you and others and sets you up for the next wave without wasting energy.