Are you having trouble duck diving your longboard? You’re not alone. Many people have difficulty with this basic longboard skill. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to duck dive a longboard like a pro. So, what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more.
What Is a Duck Dive a Longboard?
A duck dive is a maneuver used to establish downward motion while surfing a longboard. The surfer begins by lying flat on the board and paddling hard to generate momentum. Then, when the wave is about to break, the surfer tucks their head and torso down, using their arms to push the board under the water.
This action temporarily submerges the longboard, allowing it to pass safely beneath the wave’s surface. The duck dive can be used to catch smaller waves or reposition oneself in larger waves. It is an essential skill for any surfer, regardless of experience level.
Why Should You Duck Dive a Longboard?
When you are paddling out to catch a wave on your longboard, there will inevitably be times when you need to duck dive under oncoming waves. Duck diving is an essential skill for any longboarder, and it is relatively easy to learn.
When you duck dive, you use your body weight to push your board’s nose under the waves, allowing you to paddle out without being pushed back. Duck diving is especially important when paddling through a lineup, as it allows you to avoid being caught in the impact zone.
While it may take a little practice to perfect your technique, duck diving is an essential skill for any longboarder who wants to catch big waves.
How to Duck Dive a Longboard Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Paddle Hard to Get Some Speed
You need enough speed to generate a wave that will carry you over. If you’re paddling into oncoming waves, start from the back of the wave and then paddle like crazy to get over the top.
Step 2: Place Your Hands on the Deck
Once you have some speed, place your hands on the longboard’s deck in front of you. You can do this by either placing one hand in front of the other or placing both hands side by side.
Step 3: Put Your Weight on Your Back Foot
As you begin to duck under the waves, you’ll want to start shifting your weight to your back foot. This will help you maintain stability and control as you move through the water. You may even find it helpful to lean back slightly as you duck under the waves.
Step 4: Use Your Hands to Help Control the Board
As you duck under the waves, you’ll need to use your hands to help keep the longboard in place. Put one hand on the top of the board near the nose, and keep the other hand close to the tail. This will help keep the longboard from tipping over as you go under the waves. You may also want to put one foot on the nose of the board to help keep it in place.
Step 5: Come Up Slowly
As you come up from under the waves, do so slowly and carefully. If you come up too fast, the longboard could come up with you and hit you. So instead, rise slowly, and when you reach the top of the wave, paddle back out and start again.
How to Position Your Body for A Duck Dive
1. Approach the Wave from The Side:
You don’t want to be in front of the wave because it will just crash right on top of you. InsteSo instead at the wave from a 45-degree angle. This will help ensure that you get underneath the wave instead of over the top of it.
2. Get in Position
You want to be lying on your board with your head towards the wave and your feet pointing away from it. You should be positioned so that about 2/3 of your body is on the board, with the other 1/3 hanging off.
3. Put Your Hands in the Water
Place your hands on either side of your board’s nose and then push down into the water. This will help to stabilize your board and keep it from moving around too much.
4. Push Off the Bottom
Once you’re in position, push off the bottom of the ocean with your hands to help propel yourself forward. You want to be sure to do this quickly to get underneath the wave before it breaks.
5. Duck Under the Wave
As you’re moving forward, duck your head underneath the wave. You want to tuck your chin so that you don’t get hit in the face by the wave.
6. Come Up on the Other Side
Once you’re on the other side of the wave, you can start paddling again. Remember always to stay close to the shore to avoid getting caught in a rip current.
Now that you know how to duck dive a longboard, you’ll be able to catch bigger waves with ease. Just remember to paddle hard to get some speed, place your hands on the board’s deck, put your weight on your back foot, use your hands to control the board, and come up slowly. With a little practice, you’ll be duck diving like a pro in no time.
How to Time the Duck Dive Properly
Duck diving is an essential skill for any surfer. It allows you to dive under a wave and come up on the other side, avoiding being pulled under by the wave’s weight. Duck dives can be tricky to master, but with a little practice, you’ll be able to execute them with ease. The key is to time the dive correctly.
As the wave approaches, paddle hard to build up speed. Tuck your chin and curl your body into a tight ball when you reach the wave. As you go under the wave, extend your arms over your head and push off the bottom with your legs.
This will help you to surface on the other side of the wave. With a little practice, you’ll be able to time your duck dives perfectly and avoid being pulled under by the waves.
Tips for Improving Your Duck Diving Technique
One of the essential skills for any serious surfer is the ability to duck dive. Duck diving allows you to paddle through waves without being pushed back to the shore, and it also gives you a chance to get deep beneath the waves to catch some big waves. If you’re looking to improve your duck diving technique, there are a few key things to consider.
First, when paddling into a wave, keep your body as close to the board as possible. This will help you maintain your balance and prevent the board from getting caught in the wave.
Second, when you reach the crest of the wave, tuck your head and push down on the nose of the board. This will help you dive under the wave and come out on the other side.
Finally, practice makes perfect! The more you duck dive, the better you’ll become at it. So get out there and start paddling! Keep reading for more information about how to duck dive a longboard.
The Benefits of Mastering the Duck Dive
Surfing is one of the most popular water sports globally, enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. However, one of the first things that beginner surfers need to learn is how to duck dive.
This simple maneuver allows you to paddle out through waves without getting knocked over, and it’s also an important safety skill to have in case you get caught in a rip current.
Duck diving is not difficult to learn, but it does take some practice. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits that come with being a proficient surfer.
There are endless possibilities for surfers who know how to duck dive, from hitting the waves on your own to joining a surf club or competition.
Frequently Asked Question
Is Duck Diving Hard?
Yes and no. It can be hard if you don’t know how to do it properly, but with a little practice, it becomes easier. The most important thing is to get low to the board and keep your head down.
Should I Duck Dive with My Knee or Foot?
That depends on how good of a swimmer you are. If you are not a strong swimmer, then use your foot. If you are a strong swimmer, then you can use your knee.
Can You Duck Dive a Foamboard?
Yes, you can duck dive a foam board. To do so, hold the board in front of you and submerge it under the water. Then, push down on the board to create a vacuum and hold it there until you resurface.
Can You Duck Dive a 7 ft Board?
Yes, you can duck dive a 7 ft board if you have enough practice. When learning to duck dive a longboard, it’s important to start small and work your way up. Make sure you are comfortable diving under the wave before attempting to do so with a larger board.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – how to duck dive a longboard. It’s not as hard as it looks, and with a little practice, you’ll be able to make short work of even the biggest waves. So, give it a try next time you hit the beach!
You Can Check it Out to How Hard Is It to Learn to Surf
