takeoff
Ride-opening maneuver in which the surfer stops paddling, pushes up into a standing position, and begins to drop down the wave face. Although simple in concept, timing a takeoff correctly is one of the most difficult aspects of the sport. A misjudged or overly ambitious takeoff, furthermore, can result in a spectacular and potentially dangerous wipeout; a 1982 Surfer magazine article introduced th...
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Carlos Burle, taking off at Todos Santos, 1998. Photo: Sean DaveySubscribe to view
Rick Grigg takes off in La Jolla, 1961. Photo: Ron ChurchSubscribe to view
A beginning surfer does takeoff practiceSubscribe to view
Wayne Bartholomew takes off at Pipeline, 1984. Photo: Jon FosterSubscribe to view
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/fb4aa85f885b864d6bc22d40b3088b050fc005e2-900x681.jpg?rect=0,0,900,506&w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
Carlos Burle, taking off at Todos Santos, 1998. Photo: Sean Davey
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/4896ef60be2e8961823a2fa07181db7f1f4955f2-900x587.jpg?rect=0,0,900,506&w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
Rick Grigg takes off in La Jolla, 1961. Photo: Ron Church
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/ecfad16dbdf2a20e9fdeb758bddc7e0649c1cf5a-700x394.jpg?w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
A beginning surfer does takeoff practice
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/40cda196d69dbe0e0ddfa42f714eaec353309447-900x506.jpg?w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
Wayne Bartholomew takes off at Pipeline, 1984. Photo: Jon Foster