On most waves straight-line trim will only get you so far before you run out of gas. Viewed in these simple, metaphoric terms, a decent cutback is surfing’s equivalent of re-fuelling. Without it you’re screwed.

While it may be a repertoire fundamental, the open canvas between tapering shoulder and pocket is wide open to interpretation and it would be wrong to discuss the cutback in purely utilitarian tones. There are those who elevate the manoeuvre into something other-worldly. A certain tilt of the head and bending of pliable limbs can make a roundhouse into a timeless rapture we can’t help but stare at in film or on the page.

The simplest of turns can also inspire one of surfing’s highest forms of flattery. We’ve all been watching on from the shoulder when a surfer finds the perfect alchemy of grace, style and power as they bury a rail, and instinctively someone shouts, “Sick cuttie!”  We’d like to think the images on the following pages will inspire a similar response.

Andy Irons taking an Alpine approach to the Cloudbreak slopes. Photo: Bielmann. Rabbit bringing the rah to his redirect. Pat Gudauskas drives his rail through the wall. Photo: Bosko. Josie Prendergast showing us how to apply the mid-length tilt. Photo: Oldfield. Dion Agius blurs the line between traction and full flight. Photo: Respondek. More than 50 years later we are still waiting for the spray to come down from MP’s cutback. Photo: Falzon. Trent Munro extending a timeless arc. Photo: Morris. Wade Goodall looking for maximum leverage as he wrenches through a turn. Photo: Respondek. Creed McTaggart showing there is more than one way to get the fins free. Photo: Respondek.