Surf Tutorial – How To Duck Dive (Technique, Timing & Board Size)

he duck dive is a fundamental skill that must be adapted based on your surfboard size and the type of waves you are facing. This tutorial breaks down the keys to success: speed, timing, and proper physical technique, including managing high-volume boards.

Key Takeaways & Tips

Use Speed to Make the Duck Dive Easier [0:32]
Having some forward speed as you approach the wave is the number one key to a good duck dive, as it helps the board cut through the water and start the sinking process more easily.

Push Down and Scoop Through with Your Leg [1:00]
Push down with your hands at shoulder level, then follow through by using your knee or foot on the back of the board to scoop it downwards. On small boards, you can use your shin; on longer boards, always push with your foot to maximize leverage.

Start Soon Enough to Get Under the Whitewash [2:11]
Timing is crucial: you must start the duck dive soon enough to get fully underwater before the wave hits you. If you start too late, the wave will hit you before you get deep enough, and you will be pushed back.

Tilt a Big Board to Make it Go Under [5:24]
If you are trying to duck dive a high-volume board, tilt the rail slightly to the side to “scoop” it under the water. Pushing straight down is difficult due to buoyancy, so tilting allows you to displace less water and sink easier.

Keep Your Eyes Open to Find Lighter Patches [3:31]
Keeping your eyes open while submerged allows you to see non-uniform patches of water within the whitewash. You can move yourself into the lighter, more airy patches to avoid some of the wave’s force.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forcing a Big Board Straight Down [4:50]
The volume of a big, floaty board means it will not go underwater easily. Trying to force it down without tilting or using a turtle roll (for longboards) is a losing battle.

Pushing Down Without Follow-Through [2:52]
A good push down with the hands but no follow-through with the leg will cause the board to simply pop back up, failing to get underneath the wave.

Spreading the Leg Out Sideways [1:45]
Spreading the leg out to the side when trying to get the foot on the board will cause the board to steer sideways and destabilize. Keep your knees centered in the middle of the board before pushing down with your foot.