How to Backside Barrel Ride Pro Tips

This tutorial breaks down the backside tube ride into five simple steps, using examples from pro surfers like Jamie O’Brien and John John Florence. The lesson emphasizes a strong paddle entry, grabbing the rail on the drop, and precise foot placement to engage the inside rail for maximum hold and control.

Key Takeaways & Tips

The Paddle Entry [0:54]
Paddle in fast, having really good entry speed. Angle your board slightly down the line (not straight down the face) and keep your weight on your chest moving forward [0:59].

The Drop Technique [1:06]
As you pop up, make sure your front foot is kind of on that inside rail. Your other arm (outside arm) should be grabbing the outside rail and yanking on it. This engages the inside rail and keeps your hip and body weight down and into the wave [1:17].

Foot Placement and Rail Engage [2:51]
Your front foot should be on the inside of the stringer, towards the inside rail. This helps you engage that inside rail and keep your line straight, which is crucial for controlling speed and direction [3:04].

Line Setting [1:36]
Once you’ve made the drop, make sure that the nose of your board is never higher than the tail of your board, and set your line. John John Florence is shown sliding down the face and making small hip rotations to adjust his line [2:10].

Balance and Compactness [2:40]
Keep your body squared off and very compact (nice and low to your surfboard). Your hips should be facing the direction you are going, and the inside arm can be used to drag against the water for a little extra control [2:45].

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not Grabbing the Rail [3:21]
Failing to hold the outside rail with your hand on the takeoff puts you behind the eight ball and makes the drop much harder, especially if air-dropping down the face.

Hips Facing the Beach [4:21]
A common mistake is having your hips facing the beach rather than down the line and through the tube. This makes you unstable, more dangerous if you fall, and is not conducive to a compressed stance [4:38].

Sliding Down the Face [2:10]
Sliding down the face (which pro surfers can do) is extremely complex and should not be attempted on your first few attempts, as it requires a high level of control [2:15].

Nose Dive [3:42]
Air-dropping down the face without engaging the rail (front foot on the inside rail) can cause you to poke and nose dive, resulting in a dangerous fall [3:48].