Want to learn how to duck dive? Let’s start from the beginning. What they didn’t tell you when you saw those guys gliding across the waves and signed up for your first surf lesson, is how hard surfing is. Well, actually one particular part of surfing, getting to the backline! You can paddle and paddle and paddle and literally go backwards. There are some tips though of course that can help you, beyond getting stronger paddling arms.
The first thing you need to know is that you can’t ‘duck dive’ all surfboards, well technically you can if you are heavy enough and have impeccable technique and balance, but duck diving is restricted mainly for shortboards. If you are on a longboard or minimal, you will carefully negotiate your way to the backline trying to avoid being in the impact zone, and either push up over the waves or turtle roll!
Everyone wants to be able to duckdive, but the best advise I can give you is to stick on your bigger board so that you can actually surf it, don’t jump on a shorter surfboard just so that you can duckdive! Yes you may get to the backline easier, but your surfing will go rapidly backwards, you’ll catch less waves and surf the waves for shorter. Surfing is the fun part remember!
Timing: Paddle hard before you duck dive, the momentum is what will get you under water and past the wave. Start your duck dive too early or too late and you’re gonna get smashed by the wave, you need to start your duck dive when the wave is still 2-3 m away from you.
Flattening your board: You can use your knee, shin or foot to push down on the back of your board that’s your choice, but whatever you do don’t put all your energy in at once, it’s a gradual motion so that you still have room left to push hard and get up the other side.
Hold tight: Even on a ‘successful’ duck dive I have many times come up facing the wrong way. Even the best surfers in the world often end up losing their boards in a duck dive as well, so don’t think it’s going to be perfect, do the best you can, hold on tight and hope for the best!
TOP TIPS:
- To duck dive a bigger board sink one rail first instead of pushing down the nose.
- Open your eyes underwater to avoid the explosions if the water is clear.
- Know when to bail, on a bigger wave or barrel that’s going to land on you it might be the right choice to make.