This tutorial aims to improve duck dive techniques and etiquette. It covers generating strong forward momentum, the more advanced angled duck dive, and safety practices necessary to avoid collisions in the lineup while maintaining control of your board.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Momentum and Thrust
Make sure you are aggressive with the punch through so you have lots of forward thrust. Your board speed from paddling is good for momentum, but you can also create momentum from your body mass at the last second by submerging at an angle and then thrusting forward.
Timing
Time the duck dive so you go under the whitewater whilst the explosion is going skyward. This allows you a small window of opportunity to duck under. Timing comes down to your wave knowledge, commitment, and fitness.
Submerge Technique
To submerge, shift your body weight over your arms and use your arm strength to push the board downwards but also push forward away from the wave. It is important to submerge but also to thrust forward.
Angled Duck Dive
The angled duck dive is a more advanced technique that involves submerging at an angle and applying extra weight to the inside arms to straighten up the board. This is useful when you are repositioning to avoid people or using a bigger board, as it reduces the surface area to push under the water.
Stopping the Tail
Your hands need to be on your rails next to your chest. Shift your body mass forward (over your shoulders) and use your toes, shin, or knee to stop the board’s tail from poking out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Poor Thrust
Failing to be aggressive with the punch through means you lack forward thrust, which can result in a heavy wave pulling you over the falls.
Timing Failure
Timing the duck dive wrong means all the whitewater is landing on you, as the explosion is not going skyward.
Paddling Across Path
Do not paddle across someone’s path who is surfing the wave or paddling behind you. This is an important rule of etiquette and safety.
Poking Tail
Poor duck dive technique leaves your tail sticking out, which can be dangerous to other surfers as it can pop out and hit them.
Looking into Barrels
Don’t stop to look at someone surfing as you duck dive; instead, concentrate on getting out of the way. Looking into a barrel just before you duck dive can crumble the lip and ruin the ride for the surfer on the wave.