How to Get More Barrels – Tips for Intermediate Surfers

Every surfer dreams of getting barreled. But for many, it feels like luck more than skill – too steep, too fast, too scary. The truth is, barrel riding isn’t just about courage. It’s about positioning, posture, and mindset.

Here are the keys to finding and making more barrels.

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1. Positioning Is Everything

Most surfers miss barrels because they sit too wide on the shoulder. The real entry is deeper, where the wave is sucking up hardest. If you feel lift under your board, don’t pull back – that’s the perfect sign you’re in the right spot.

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2. Commit to the Line

Looking straight down makes the drop look impossibly steep. Instead, look across the face and commit to that line. Your board will fit, and you’ll have more time inside. Half-committing leads to wipeouts – full commitment gives you a chance to make it.

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3. Head and Posture Matter

Many surfers hunch their backs, stick their butt out, and wobble through barrels. Better: keep your head close to the wave face, chest up, and hands forward. This stabilizes your body and helps you read the section. Think “fight stance” – knees bent, hands up, ready to adjust.

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4. Bigger Barrels Can Be Safer

Small, dumping barrels often pitch you onto the sand. Larger barrels break in deeper water, giving you space to move and adjust. Don’t always avoid bigger ones – they often provide more room and less danger than the closeout shorebreak.

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5. Relax, Breathe, and Expect to Make It

Your mindset shows in your body language. If you pull in expecting to get drilled, you probably will. If you set the intention to make it, your posture shifts – chest forward, eyes looking out, arms pointing the way. Take a breath before you pull in. Oxygen and calm give you time to enjoy the moment instead of ejecting early.

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6. Backhand Barrel Basics

Don’t squat with your knees splayed wide – it’ll dip your head straight into the water. Instead, lean your ear against the wave face, keep your back straight, and guide with your leading hand. Simplicity and calm are your allies.

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TRAX: Helping You Find and Refine Barrels

TRAX tracks your positioning, entry angles, and weight shifts, showing whether you’re too wide on the shoulder or setting the right line. It helps you understand why you missed one barrel and why you made the next – so you can commit with confidence.

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Related Reading:

→ How to surf bigger waves without panicking — Barrels start with commitment in heavy water
→ Learning to fall in surfing — Wipeouts are part of chasing barrels
→ Steep takeoffs in surfing — Nail the entry to unlock the tube

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