Comments on: Duckdiving 101

By: Gideon

Gideon — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:39:56 +0000

@Billy- It sounds like either of 2 things to me. The first is that you’re forgetting to kick the tail with your back foot- as mentioned above, this stabilizes the board and propels you through the wave. Second, it sounds like you’re riding a board that’s way too big for you. If you’re 5′6″ you should be riding a 6′ board tops. If the board is too big there’s no way you’re gonna be able to get all that foam underwater. If you’re able to stand up on your 6′8″ I would suggest just going for the shortboard. It’s a lot easier to get out to the line-up and if you keep on trying you’ll get the hang of it eventually.

By: stokesy

stokesy — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:00:27 +0000

I agree with Anthony Gill, if you’re not dealing with bigger surf, technique counts more than depth. One thing that i found really helps is to not puff yourself out when getting out, even if it is wave after wave on the head. Stay relaxed so you feel comfortable when you hold your breath. Timing is important, you’ve got to work that out for yourself. Also, when you push the board under with your arms and leg(on the tail) your body will rise up a little, at this point push of your tail and literally dive with your board. head first obviously, still holding the rails. Difficult to explain but if you can put your weight into the dive it helps.

By: vedgiee

vedgiee — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:46:28 +0000

nice tips everyone ty

By: Anthony Gill

Anthony Gill — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 05:33:19 +0000

I’ve always struggled with Duckdiving, and as I usually small beach breaks I’ve never bothered with it. Recently i surfed a reef break and got hammered as I didn’t have the technique. The local I was surfing with gave me one tip which has totally transformed my ability to duck dive. It has to do with the angle of the board, and simple physics. I can’t get my 6″8 fish very far under water, but he pointed out to me that it doesn’t really matter, as long as you can have the nose of the board facing up just after impact, the board will project you through to the other side of the wave. If the nose of the board is still facing downwards as you aim for depth when the wave is breaking, you will be pushed back by the wave unless you have executed a really perfect deep dive. However, if you are struggling to get depth, and the waves are small enough, just think about getting the nose down, under the water, then getting the nose facing up just after impact. Don’t be afraid as you begin to really lean on the back of your board to get the nose facing upwards. The board wants to get back to the surface and you steer it to exit the back of the wave. On the small beach breaks that I surf this simple rule has saved me ample time getting out through the breaks. The hardest thing is remaining balanced in the early attemptes, and having the courage to confront the wave even though you are diving quite shallow. Also, if you do come up to early in the wave, the nose will actually will be caught by the hydraulics and be projected back over your head.

By: 415local

415local — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:21:46 +0000

Sean says:
July 31, 2009 at 12:45 am

Dave D: OB pier is a great place to surf! The grilled mahi taco special at South Beach is incredible.
=========================

there is no pier at Ocean Beach SF… thats in san diego

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:11:15 +0000

I’m a beginner but moderately strong swimmer. When it gets tough for me to get out on a long board due to conditions, I’ve tried turtling, but I get washed so far back it’s pretty tough. I’ve tried duck diving in those situations and the same thing…I get washed back fairly far on a long board.

I’d like to try the ditch and dive to the bottom some time as long as there are others around.

Also, sometimes I think it may be worth waiting 4 or 5 minutes for a lul, then charging out.

Maybe it’s just the breaks when using a long board. Certainly a serious workout.

By: Billy

Billy — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:53:38 +0000

Does weighing less matter about being able to duck dive a short board? I weigh 115 pounds and have been trying to get this duck diving thing under control the last 20+ times I’ve gone, took advice from friends that already do it right and I still can’t do it. I know the concept of it all, but it just doesn’t seem to work. I have a 6′8″ board and I’m 5′6. I can get the nose of the board under but the tail always gets caught with the white wash and I get tossed everytime. I don’t think I’m getting the board deep enough when doing it. Any suggestions? Should I switch to a shorter board?

By: thefullnelly

thefullnelly — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:32:10 +0000

This topic is a great reason why surfers should cross-train with different shapes/sizes of boards. I grew up surfing shortboards, and I made the longboard switch later in the game. If it’s too thick, I go for the shortboard that can be easily duckdived. In large conditions,while riding a longboard, I try to keep my distance from others, often self-sacrificing to prevent injuring someone else. I go for the inch worm technique while paddling out in big surf with a long board, and most times I make it (often via the abondon-ship, bottom swim). If I’ve made no progress and I’m still inside after a good-long effort, then it’s time to switch while I’ve got something left in me. (If you make it with the longboard then you can feel the nostalgia of the longboard drop in) Remember that those old dudes may not know the difference. They just grab big ass longboard and go for it. Don’t feel like a sissy, at least you are trying.

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:45:39 +0000

Love your site. I’m going to post this in the Surf-Minds forums. I’ll credit you and put a link to your website.

Dave D: OB pier is a great place to surf! The grilled mahi taco special at South Beach is incredible.

Come register and start posting! http://www.surf-minds.com/forums

The forums just launched!

By: OZbrudda

OZbrudda — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:38:51 +0000

Don’t bother trying to duckdive a longboard, plain and simple. Turtle rolling is dumb and 90% of the time when you do you’re relying on chance. Watch guys rolling there longboards and see how they come up most of the time. Next to the board,washed off. I work as an instructor and I can tell you, turtle rolling, eskimo rolling, whatever you call it is PROVEN to not work. There are too many longboards in lineups everywhere, if you don’t wanna be a kook, ride a shortboard, theres no excuse for not riding short unless your over 60,extremely unfit or disabled hahaha