What are the key techniques to improve wave riding?

Whether you're a beginner looking to catch more waves or an experienced surfer aiming to refine your style, mastering the right techniques can make all the difference in your wave-riding performance.

Today, we’ll cover some key techniques that will help you become a better surfer, from paddling to maneuvering on the face of the wave.

585 Words | 3 Min 10 Sec Read

1. Perfect your paddling technique:

Good paddling is the foundation of catching waves. If you struggle to paddle efficiently, you’ll tire out quickly and miss opportunities. To improve:

• Body Position: Keep your body centered on the board, with your chest slightly lifted and your head forward. Your legs should stay close to the board to reduce drag.

• Long, Deep Strokes: Use long, smooth strokes with your hands cupped, making sure to fully extend your arms forward with each stroke. This increases speed and conserves energy.

Efficient paddling gets you into waves sooner, giving you more control over your ride.

2. Timing and wave selection:

Knowing which wave to catch and when to catch it is a skill developed over time. To improve your wave selection:

• Study the Break: Before paddling out, observe the break for a few minutes. Take note of where the best waves are forming and which ones have the best shape for riding.

• Positioning: When you see a wave approaching, paddle at an angle toward where the wave is breaking, rather than directly in front of it. This allows you to take off with better speed.

Proper wave selection and timing will drastically improve your consistency and wave count.

3. Master the Pop-Up:

The pop-up is one of the most crucial skills in surfing. Your ability to transition from paddling to standing smoothly will determine the success of your ride. Here’s how to improve:

• Explosive Movement: Push up off the board with your hands while keeping your feet under your body in a single fluid motion. Practice on land to build muscle memory.

• Foot Placement: When you land on your feet, make sure your back foot is over the tail pad and your front foot is slightly angled toward the nose for balance.

A clean, quick pop-up will give you more time to set up your maneuvers.

4. Learn to read the wave face:

To ride waves effectively, you need to understand how to position your body on the wave’s face:

• Stay High on the Wave: By positioning yourself higher on the wave face, you’ll generate more speed. The steeper part of the wave provides more energy, which allows you to ride faster.

• Look Ahead: Always look down the line to anticipate what the wave will do next. This helps you decide when to carve or bottom turn, allowing smoother transitions and control.

5. Carving and turning:

Once you’re comfortable standing on the board, it’s time to work on your turns. The bottom turn sets up most maneuvers, so mastering it is essential:

• Compress and Extend: When turning, bend your knees and compress into the board, then extend as you finish the turn to maintain speed and balance.

• Use Your Shoulders: Your body follows your head and shoulders, so turn your shoulders in the direction you want to go, leading your board through the maneuver.

Conclusion: Practice, Patience, and Progress

Improving your wave-riding technique takes time, but with consistent practice, you’ll notice significant progress. Focus on these fundamentals during your next session, and you’ll soon be riding more waves with style, speed, and confidence.

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Surfonawave Team.