Key Takeaways & Tips
Begin with a Push-Up Position on the Rail
As whitewater approaches, bring your arms to the side of the board in a push-up position, grabbing onto the rail. This is the starting position to press the nose down and begin sinking the board.
Use Your Back Foot/Knee to Sink the Tail
Once the nose is pressed down, bring your back foot or knee to the tail pad of the board. Pushing the tail down with your leg sinks the back end of the board, allowing you to fully submerge.
Slide Your Hands Up to Guide the Board Out
While underwater, slide your hands up the board’s rail. This change in grip creates an upward trajectory and helps you re-emerge from the water with momentum moving forward, rather than just floating straight up.
Practice in Flat Water for Repetition
To build the necessary muscle memory, practice the duck dive repeatedly in flat water, such as a pool or a lake. This removes the distraction of the waves and allows you to focus on getting the sinking technique correct.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Fighting Board Volume
If you are on a high-volume board (like a large foamie or a big Malibu), the buoyancy will make it extremely difficult to sink the board beneath the water. You must be realistic about the board volume you are using in a given set of waves.