Pro surfer Dean Morrison details frontside tube riding, emphasizing that positioning and controlling speed are the keys to a successful barrel ride. The tutorial covers finding the right waves, proper bottom turn technique under the lip, and specific methods for stalling and gaining speed within the tube.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Best Conditions
The best conditions for getting barreled are usually shallow and doubling up, where the wave draws off the bank or off the reef. Positioning yourself behind the peak is crucial to being in the best part of the wave.
Bottom Turn Under the Lip
When bottom turning underneath the lip, you don’t want to bottom turn too hard. You want to stay really low on the wave, usually sitting right in the bottom of it, but you can creep up the face a little bit to get some speed.
Stalling Technique
If you need to get deeper in the barrel, you can stick your arm in the wave and just kind of hold on. When you feel like you are deep enough, rip your arm out and then maybe do a pump to come out.
Straightening Out to Stall
Sometimes you have to really straighten out your board and point it toward the beach, waiting for the wave to catch up to you. Then, bring it around and get back underneath the lip.
Gaining Speed
If you want to gain speed, you can creep up your surfboard or come over your front foot a little more. Hollow waves have a lot of speed, so you can really put your foot down to accelerate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Going Too Fast
The most common issue is trying to go too fast, rather than focusing on positioning yourself deep enough in the wave.
Moving Too Much
Tube lines are usually long and drawn out. You must avoid moving too much in the barrel, instead trying to feel the speed of the wave and making minimal adjustments.
Incorrect Takeoff Positioning
Failing to position yourself behind the peak means you miss the best part of the wave, which can be the difference between getting barreled and not.