Whether you are considering learning to surf or you already do, and want to get into medium to large wave days, you should seriously consider learning or perfecting your technique for how to perform a duck dive.
In all these years observing and analyzing the mechanics of surfing, from in and out of the water, I have seen that this technique of submerging to avoid the force of the wave is even more difficult to master than the act of standing up and catching the wave.
The duck dive requires skills such as coordination, strength, and good timing. It also requires breath-hold movements and, above all, a good knowledge of your surfboard.
Some surfboards simply do not allow for a duck dive. This happens when the buoyancy of the board exceeds the average surfer's ability to submerge.
For intermediate surfers, Flysurf's Double Agent 7.0 model offers an ideal combination of buoyancy and maneuverability. With the right technique, this 7-foot board allows for an effective duck dive, thanks to its hydrodynamic profile that facilitates submersion and helps to pass through the wave cleanly. This makes the model a versatile option for those seeking stability without sacrificing agility in medium or large waves.
Few beginner surfboards of that size and volume allow for such an efficient duck dive. At Flysurf, we pride ourselves on offering models like the Double Agent 7.0, designed with your surfing progression in mind.
Before thoroughly analyzing how to perform a duck dive, let's remember that advice a friend surely gave you: as an alternative to the duck dive, you can try the "turtle roll" or "eskimo roll" on a longboard. This technique involves flipping the board over, with its bottom facing up, and passing under the wave. Do you remember how it went the first (or second, third...) time you tried it?
From our experience, we can say with certainty that we have never seen anyone successfully execute the turtle roll or eskimo roll. Every time we have seen it attempted, it has ended in disaster. With all due respect, we believe this technique does not usually work well for beginner surfers. The duck dive remains the most effective option for getting under waves, especially when practiced correctly.
First steps to performing a duck dive in surfing
The importance of a duck dive lies in:
- Not losing energy paddling back what the wave pulls you back to shore, thus leading to longer and more efficient sessions.
- Maintaining control of your surfboard at all times, which is key for your safety in the water.
- Ensuring your surfboard doesn't harm anyone around you.
A correct duck dive in surfing occurs when you submerge your head and body BEFORE the foam reaches you. This way, you emerge on the other side of the wave cleanly, compactly, in control, and realize that you are practically in the same position as before having made contact with it.
A bad duck dive is when you only submerge your head. Even if you feel like your whole body is underwater, it's not really. As a result, you and your surfboard will end up being dragged back to shore. By not submerging the board correctly, you fail to pass through the wave, and the force of the foam pushes you back. This is not how it's done, and it's a common mistake for beginners.
How to correct your duck dive in surfing?
When you see a wall or foam you want to avoid:
1. Paddle strongly towards it. It is not possible to perform a duck dive without momentum or speed. We provide a guide with 3 tips to improve your paddling technique with your surfboard.
2. About 2 meters before impact, lift your body off the surfboard; this is a way to gain counter-momentum before submerging. Imagine that YOUR ENTIRE BODY, from head to toe, must pass through a circle drawn in the sea.
3. Grip the rails of your board firmly.
4. Take a breath, push the nose of your surfboard down with your hands first.
5. Lift one leg towards the sky. The importance is not in the leg but in the hip (the center of gravity and where most of the body's weight is concentrated). Conceptually, you should try to lift your center of gravity (pelvis), shifting all your body weight to your hands to push your board down. The technique is very similar to diving headfirst in swimming, where the hip should be aligned with the head in an inverted position (of course, not as exaggerated in this case).
6. If you did it right, you'll be underwater and feel an explosion of energy over you. The wave will break forcefully over your back, and you'll notice the water rushing by at high speed, pushing you while you maintain control. The speed and force of the water will surprise you, as it's hard to imagine how fast a wave moves when you're right under it. This is the moment when all the training and technique come together, and you can experience the true feeling of fluidity in surfing. It's an incredible feeling!
7. Once underwater, just let yourself go. Many say you have to use your foot to push the tail; that's true, but take it easy. If you're already submerged, just try to guide your board so that the nose is the first to surface.
8. Take a breath, look around, and prepare to paddle and/or for the next duck dive.
Tips for doing the duck dive correctly
- Small wave days are perfect for practicing your duck dive.
- With any wave over 1 meter, a duck dive should be performed.
- You cannot perform a duck dive on a longboard or a school foam board.
- The duck dive is an essential skill if you want to surf in crowded places.
- The duck dive saves a lot of energy during your session. Mastering a good duck dive means you are a better surfer.
There are times when you will have to let go of your surfboard, either due to the size of the wave, bad timing, the characteristics of your board, or simply because you don't have the capacity to handle the situation. However, try to make these moments exceptional and only occur when your life or physical integrity is at risk. If you reach this situation, make sure to release your board in a controlled manner and, most importantly, check that there is no one nearby who could be hit by it. Safety should always be the priority.
Considering the displacement you might experience when being dragged by the wave, make sure there is no one at least 5 meters to the sides and, if possible, no one behind you along the entire line to the shore. The safety of others is just as important as your own. See you in the water!
