Learning the proper duck dive technique is crucial for efficiency. Doing the technique effectively uses only about one-tenth the energy of messing it up, allowing you to get past the break faster and save energy to catch more waves.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Step 1: The Sinker
Lock your elbows, put your foot on the pad with a bent knee, and put all your weight forward. Push your hands down to get your board as deep as possible and hold it there. Do not let the board come back up before starting the next step.
Step 2: The Scissor
Keep your elbows locked and push your foot (on the pad) down to get the tail under as quickly as possible. The opposite foot goes up out of the water to create momentum. This prevents the wave’s energy from hitting the tail and throwing you off balance.
Step 3: The Missile
Bend your elbows, pull the board toward you, and bring your chest onto the board. Legs together and toes pointed. You want to be small, like a torpedo, so you just float through and pop up already in your paddle position.
Timing for Small Waves
For smaller waves or when the whitewater is not deep, you can wait longer until the whitewater is almost on top of you before you dive. The whole sequence is faster: head goes under just as the board and tail go down.
Timing for Big Waves
For bigger, deeper whitewater, you must start farther back and get deeper. Sink it a lot longer (a meter or more before the wave hits) and get your head under the water before the wave gets to you. This is a lot longer on the Sinker step.
Strength and Flexibility
The Scissor step requires strength and flexibility. The downward dog with the foot up exercise helps build the necessary flexibility and muscle strength for the powerful downward push.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Half-Assing the Dive
Getting lazy and only half-assing the duck dive to save energy. This ends up costing you ten times the energy because you get knocked off the board, are washed farther back, and must do more duck dives.
Starting the Scissor Too Late
Starting the rest of your duck dive after the board has started to come back up from the Sinker stage. You will lose the flow, depth, and ability to get under the wave effectively.
Not Sinking the Tail
Only sinking the nose and letting the tail stick up. The wave’s energy will hit the tail, causing turbulence that will throw you off the board and prevent you from getting past the wave’s force efficiently.
Spreading Legs
Letting your legs separate or spread out. Keep your legs together and toes pointed to form a small, torpedo-like shape, minimizing resistance.