This tutorial provides quick tips on how to improve your barrel riding skills. The lesson emphasizes that commitment is the biggest factor, details the three main entry methods, and covers body posture and foot placement necessary to control speed and maximize time inside the tube.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Commitment is Key
The biggest tip is that you really need to focus on making the barrel and going for it, even if it looks like it’s going to close out. The best barrels are the ones you think you are not going to make.
Three Main Entries
The three main ways to enter the barrel are: 1) Backdooring (coming from behind the peak), 2) Strolling (stalling speed), or 3) Dropping straight in (from the peak section) [1:26].
Backdooring Technique
When backdooring, the barrel is usually fast and powerful, so you need to paddle hard and go for it with a lot of commitment. Do not go too low (where the lip will hit you) or too high (where you will go over with the lip) [1:46].
Stalling
You can stall with one hand, two hands, or by using your foot (which the surfer prefers because it is more effective and the water won’t pull the arm back too much). Always keep your front hand in front to know where you are going and feel the wave [2:03].
Speed Adjustment
To get faster inside the barrel, put your two feet forward on the board. You can still stall with the feet in this position. Pumping is needed if the wave gets faster, while stalling is needed if the wave gets slower [3:53].
Barrel Vision
Your eyes must be looking at the top corner of the barrel. This allows you to see what the wave and the barrel are going to do, helping you control direction (up or down) [5:29].
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Closing Your Eyes
The biggest mistake people do is closing their eyes in the barrel, which prevents them from seeing the line and controlling the board.
Going Too Slow
If you go too slow, the wave will be faster than you, and you will wipe out. You must be as fast as the wave at all times to get in and out of the barrel.
Flexing Incorrectly
Never get the barrel going by bending at the waist and back. You should be flexing your knees and legs instead, keeping your chest always upwards. This prevents you from being in a “locked up” position [4:58].
Air-Drop Failure
When air-dropping in, you must be quick and try to keep the board on your feet so you can pull in and not get flipped over.