Duck Diving: The Skill Every Shortboarder Needs

Duck Diving: The Skill Every Shortboarder Needs

If you’re surfing a shortboard, knowing how to duck dive is non-negotiable. Done right, it gets you past the break with less effort – saving energy and letting you catch more waves. Done wrong, it means getting dragged backwards by every set.

This guide breaks down the technique step by step and helps you avoid the most common mistakes that hold surfers back.

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Is Your Board Right for Duck Diving?

First things first: duck diving only works if your board can sink. High-volume boards (like longboards or foamy fun shapes) are too buoyant. If that’s what you’re riding, you’ll want to learn the turtle roll instead.

Shortboards and lower-volume boards are best for duck diving – they let you push under the wave cleanly and get back to paddling quickly.

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Step-by-Step: How to Duck Dive Correctly

1. Paddle Hard
Speed is everything. If you’re not moving forward fast enough, the wave will toss you backwards. Paddle aggressively toward the wave – don’t hesitate.

2. Start About a Board’s Length Away
When you’re ~2 meters (or one board length) from the wave, stop paddling and grab your rails. Place your hands under your chest, right below your pecs.

3. Push the Nose Down and Forward
Lean your chest over the front and use straight arms to drive the nose deep under the surface. Your goal is not just down – but also forward through the water.

4. Sink the Tail with Your Foot or Knee
With the nose already going under, drive your foot (or knee) onto the tail, pushing it down hard. This makes your board parallel to the ocean floor – critical for slicing under whitewater.

5. Bring Your Body to the Board
As the wave passes over, bend your arms and pull your body down to the board (not the other way around). If you stay loose here, the wave can rip the board out of your hands.

6. Resurface Smoothly
Once the wave has passed, angle your nose up. The board’s buoyancy will lift you – use a frog kick if needed to come up faster and get straight back to paddling.

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Duck Dive Timing: What Most Surfers Get Wrong

Too early? You’ll lose momentum and pop up before the wave hits.
Too late? Your board won’t go deep enough and you’ll get smacked backwards.

Aim to start your duck dive about a board’s length away and move quickly through each step without pausing.

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Bonus Tips for Stronger Duck Dives

• Keep your eyes open underwater to find the clearest path through bubbles or whitewater
• Kick hard on the traction pad to sink the tail faster
• Train in a pool or lake to isolate the motion and improve control
• Think forward and deep, not just down – momentum is your friend

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Final Thoughts

Mastering the duck dive can completely change your experience in the water. Instead of wasting energy fighting every wave, you’ll glide through with control – ready to catch the next set with power.

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