Improve Your Duck Dive In 4 Simple Steps.

[@ODL957]

By far the best duck dive lesson in KZbin

[@ombesurf]

Thank you so much Omark!

[@blakesmith6082]

The best advice iv ever had for duck diving was to keep your eyes open. Sounds really simple but once you can see what's happening with the wave as it passes it changes your duck diving game. I hope this helps some like it helped me👀👀

[@ombesurf]

Thanks for sharing BLake.

[@timotheevinciguerra7058]

Lol i cant see more than 5 inches from my face at my spot, good luck seeing what happens with the wave

[@anastassiyakim7041]

I was about to ask OMBE should we have eyes open or not-)

[@michaelseeman6861]

it has been my experience that there is too much sand in the water ,,, damages my eyes

[@maevelauzier]

Yeah about contact lenses… not fair

[@deltivan]

Good video. One thing that helps me in bigger surf, say 6-8 feet, is to maintain my arms extended when I’m under. The idea is to let the turbulence pass between myself and the board with the least resistance possible. It really makes a difference. I’m usually the only one out after a big clean up set.

[@Littoral1]

OMG. I just returned to surfing after 40 years. As a grom I always just sat, wrapped my legs under the board and pushed my head down and arse up - just like a duck. That’s what I thought it was. Now with far less fitness, I have had sessions where I couldn’t even get out because of this one simple piece of info I never knew! Thank you thank you.

[@timnawrocki2349]

I go pretty well duck diving green waves, and even getting under a crashing lip. So my biggest takeaway was the bit on getting under thick foam, i.e. a wave that's broken far ahead; I often seem to get pushed back if I try to do a regular duck dive in that situation. Lately I've been trying to dive steep and deep just before the foam hits, and stay under as long as I can to let it pass. Seems to be working and your advice suggests I'm on the right track. 🤙🏼

[@ombesurf]

Awesome Tim!

[@mojostevo]

I'm in the place. Intermediate surfer who needs to improve his thick foam dives, this video definitely highlights what I need to improve. Can't wait to try the deeper dives to clear some heavy foam tomorrow morning.

[@bojador]

The best advice I can give, and I had to figure this for myself as I’ve never seen anyone emphasise it, is to keep the board parallel to the water surface for a few seconds before coming to the surface. This will make sure that you’re not dragged by the foam and will actually push your board forward because the water is going throw your board thus propelling you. Edit: they actually talk about this at 7:13 when they say you should extend your arms. That's exactly what helped me to get through the waves with much less effort. Good stuff.

[@ombesurf]

Thank you Pedro!

[@DS-go8mn]

I agree with Blake. I'm a longboarder just getting into short boarding and have been practicing duck diving in a pool but didn't open my eyes therefore I couldn't see what was going on with my arms and position. As soon as I opened my eyes I can see what I was doing wrong.

[@loismylane]

I found that keeping my body as stiff and as elongated as possible, it makes it much more difficult for the wave to flip me up and over. Once I sink, I superman my board in front of me with a death grip so that it pulls me through, and I keep my body stiff. Ive felt times when going under walls of whitewater where I get caught in the turbulence and I felt like there was no doubt I was gonna go up and over, but I just hang on staying stiff and end up getting pulled through by the forward momentum I already had + the bouyancy of my board pulling me through as if its one of those dive motors

[@petebuckney]

The underwater footage is great - one thing you don't talk about (and I haven't seen anyone else talk about) - it shows you do a great big stroke with your free leg to drive you forwards - this is an eye opener for me!

[@ombesurf]

Thanks Pete!

[@middleagedshred]

yea..same...thats one of those gold nuggets they speak of..

[@ombesurf]

@@middleagedshred yew!!

[@scottcannon3154]

The thing I had to figure out on my own was to push down on the back of the board really hard to get the board parallel. Using a board with 45 liters and only weighing 160lbs, I need to really donkey kick the back of board hard to get it under the wave in order to not get dragged back.

[@effortlesssurf1839]

You guys just keep delivering. Thanks again. Best description of how to duck dive I’ve seen

[@ombesurf]

Our pleasure! Thanks!

[@joanmisa9591]

This definitely appeals to the engineer in me. I love the visuals & technical explanations. This is SO helpful!!

[@joaothewabilife3965]

Other question, which of course depends on body structure/weight but it's the wave size limit a duck dive can handle, specially if it breaks a few meters in front of you...

[@glenn-f2m]

if I learn then practice what you guys are saying i will be much safer in the water and so will any one else with in 18 feet 🌊🐬🏄‍♀️

[@907to760]

Thanks for the tips! Is there any way you can post a video about proper board volume? I'm about 5'10" and weight about 150 lbs. I'm currently riding a 6'2" board that has about 38L of volume and it just feels to bouyant which makes it difficult to duck dive. Any tips? Thanks!

[@middleagedshred]

Great walkthrough.. nice technique..the way you kick your left leg up from below the board is something i,ve been missing..I have just been raising that leg and not kicking it up..my board once slipped out of my hand and tilted during a duckdive..it certainly shot straight up..right into the nuggz..)

[@ombesurf]

Thanks!!

[@darrencroad2337]

Such simple but effortless techniques in order to save energy for longer water time and safer surfing. I have learnt so much from OMBE

[@bsmbB]

Yes people NEED to stop bailing and learn how to duck dive I don't even feel safe next to people I don't know anymore at advanced breaks some people are out there just to say they went out and not even catch anything but endanger other with bad surf etiquette. Love the vids you guys make its nice to have access to tips easily unlike before the youtube era lol

[@pete_street]

This is excellent. I've never seen a concise under water breakdown on duck diving and it has been hugely helpful. Thanks.

[@ombesurf]

Thank you Peter, Glad it was helpful!

[@mikebularz9019]

Basic question, whats the longest board / volume you can duck dive? 180 Lb have been pushing my 7'2 mid and 6'8 long fish under or just holding the leash strap tight when I can walk through and no foot hazards on sandy beach.

[@pet_cow_5452]

That ending 🤣🤣 Thank you for keeping it in! And thanks for the great tutorial. Ahh got a great belly laugh from that 😁

[@vinz9741]

I do have a question... I know how to duck dive and these advices are great. But what to do when waves are huge and you're a little late to the wave is gonna catch you? What's your best move? Maybe a video about this would be great. Thanks guys. Awesome work

[@MrLeeson660]

Awesome video!! I'm comfortable duck diving until it gets bigger (overhead+) then if the wave breaks just before I get to it I do occasionally bail if there's no one behind obviously. Snapped a leash last weekend doing this which resulted in a long hard swim in, so determined to try to duck dive no matter what from now on. One question I'd love to know from Clayton is at what size does he start struggling and what happens I.e board pulled from your hands or whatever? Cheers guys

[@1shotsurfer739]

nathan florence has a great video on this, he talks about duck diving horizontally on bigger already broken waves, bear hugging your board if there's no way you get get under it, etc., highly recommend. I've had success if it's going to be a hectic duck dive in throwing my board more forward (e.g. I'm further back on it), because the board floats more than you do and it's more forward, ideally it pulls you further from the carnage

[@PhilippUnterreiner]

13:59 It looks like you're not just pushing down the board but also swinging up your other leg into almost like a handstand position which will consequently help pushing your body under the surface. It reminds a lot of snorkeling: When you want to submerge, you first build forward momentum, then hinge at the hip to lift both legs up so that the weight of your legs pushes your body underwater...

[@joaohenriquesuffiatti6274]

So good mate!! Thank you so much! I have been looking for duck dive tutorials for a bit and that is definitely the best one I have seen!!

[@jaimemc7886]

Another useful video

[@ombesurf]

Glad to hear that

[@harrisonchou8929]

Still mind-blown with that sideways board trick

[@mikeoliver9904]

Great video. Thanks

[@felipefernandez-o7w]

Amazing video.

[@ombesurf]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markrobinson9221]

Excellent breakdown of techniques, surprised no mention of keeping your eyes open

[@darksun3525]

This is one of my favourite comedy channels 🤙🏼

[@marsmachine1156]

Great video. Saffa landlocked in Switzerland here. Going surfing to France next week. I surfed 20 years ago in St. Francis 🇿🇦. These tips will help a lot! Thanks. Yew! 🤙🏻

[@onthesoulside]

Thanks Phil

[@onthesoulside]

Great video, Thankyou. I ride a long board .any tips on adjustments I should make when I'm duck diving on a long board.

[@chopsnz88]

With a longboard try to sink one rail first then the other. Helps to get more forward on the board also closer to the nose. If too big then turtle roll

[@crispinbarker4286]

Really helpful, thank you. Learning to level the board under the water using the knee or the foot is a great take home point.

[@wolf-yw9wk]

i have found that on certain waves after they break and you're unable to make it through a green faced part of the wave and its frothy and turbulent when i dive deeper i get more mangled than if i dive a little shallower and let the turbulence bring me up to the surface quicker. it is different for every type of wave though depending on how its breaking. sometimes deeper seems better and sometimes staying shallow seems better. it is hard to describe but have you had anyone talk or describe this as well?

[@michaelb7864]

Great video… I would add for me personally I wish I was more comfortable using the foot push in big waves.. the problem I always have with pushing with the foot especially in big surf is when it goes wrong and you don’t do it perfectly you get absolutely hammered. With my knee I know it’s always consistent. The foot is definitely the better option but comes with the risk of getting blown to pieces if you mess it up even in the slightest bit

[@tube6871]

Hilarious ending! I snorted. Thanks for the brilliant help.

[@liggerlag9717]

What if the wave does not barrel will the energy flow still be under it to help me?

[@killadoon]

Big takeaway for me is that when paddling towards wave you are creating momentum for stability. I always visualised myself as trying to paddle faster than the wave is coming towards me.

[@julienpecorino]

Excellent advices! Now need to put that in practice ;) Thanks for the amazing videos

[@alexandreregosouzapinto6327]

Longboard duckDiving=[it would be an amazing episode!! ]

[@77pebble]

All good and thanks for that but it is is on a small thin narrow nosed board. Although similar techniques applied on duck diving bigger boards, it would be better to see a mid length or similar being ducked dived as some intermediate surfers will likely have wider nosed/more volumed boards

[@keno1069]

13:54 Also notice that as the left leg goes up, he is pushing the tail of the board down. This is an example of Newton's Third Law: Action & Reaction His third law states that for every action (force) in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction. This guy? This is the guy I want to surf with! Seriously, if you hang with this guy, you're going to be the recipient of decades of knowledge. Even if he never says anything, you'll significantly improve your skills just by watching. This guy is Yoda.

[@kazuarceo]

How bout duck diving with long boards with a lot of volume?

[@dornelli1]

kudos for the audio on these vds, alaways loud n clear

[@inediblevermin]

What app are they using to draw on video?

[@peterfleischhauer6786]

Thank You for the vid. -One thing is unclear for me. In what situation you grab the nose with one hand while the other hand is paddling?

[@lifeontheroad8474]

I do that when the wave is about to break and I'm at a point where no duck dive is needed but it might move me off my board a bit, so hence holding on to the nose helps by not letting the wave move the board from underneath me and also to readjust the board back to the sweet spot for better paddling and balance

[@tonybeatbutcher]

As a shaper, I got a surfer who's boards always reform on the tail, is that because he put to much pressure with his feet or knee? Putting an extra patch on the tail didn't help.

[@yxngbt387]

Yeah I almost got drilled yesterday by someone’s board when they bailed that’s great advice to not be behind someone that doesn’t look experienced👍

[@rogerpye1865]

Great break down! Clayton do you keep your eyes open or leave them closed when you duck dive? There exists a notion that if you keep your eyes open you can better direct you exit through the turbulence to the surface.

[@MrRamRam3rd]

Hello! Does anyone know what type of video analysis app they're using on the tablet?

[@boyswillunderstand]

I am 61 kg and have a board with 46 L so I cant't push it down... Do you have any tips?

[@nicontrack2697]

Nice video, what is the maximus wave size that an average persone can duck dive? is it always better to duck dive even in 6 to 10ft waves or sometimes is better have a look artound and diched the board?

[@chriscantor6329]

Any tips for high volume/mini-mal type boards?

[@joebenjamin6139]

Great Video!

[@pensacolapaintsllc7186]

You both do great work, thank you.

[@carlosguerrero7101]

WOW....great Tips !!!

[@lachyc4356]

Any tips for duck diving a mini mal? I'm still learning but surfing every day and riding a 7ft with a pretty wide nose. One of my biggest barriers to getting better at the moment is getting out in bigger surf cause I can't get this thing under the wave.

[@ombesurf]

Sink one rail first Lachy.

[@DillTheAlmighty]

I had a friend take me out in some big conditions yesterday... There was a double overhead was every couple of sets (I made sure to stay deep to avoid). Can you duck dive white water effectively of a double overhead wave? Do you just try your best? Any tips brother?

[@cliffhappy]

As mentioned that we should duck dive near the cylindric breaking zone, what if I am still 3-5m away from that zone? Do I paddle into it first?

[@Bumblybee4975]

I'm a 50kg female using a 35L board, I struggle to sink it but I'm not ready to go to a smaller board. Is there hope for me learning to duck dive a board this size with better technique or simply not doable?

[@ugoottanelli3932]

Any advice on a mid length and longboard. What is the best way to get the board through a wave where duck diving is not an option?

[@bojador]

Turtle roll

[@ugoottanelli3932]

@@bojador I turtle roll all the time but not effective when the waves get bigger. I thought there might be a better way. I've learnt to turtle roll and thrust the board into the wave over your head whilst you're under water which seems to help get the board passed the crumbling impact area.

[@bojador]

From your description you’re doing it right. Sometimes the waves are just too big for a midlength. Try to pick your time to paddle out and look for channels to the outside. You would also have better chances on point breaks if you’re mostly surfing beach breaks.

[@ugoottanelli3932]

@@bojador thank you Pedro for your response, much appreciated. I'll always look for the best route out to the lineup but at times it's not always possible.

[@pete_street]

You can duck dive most mid sized boards depending on your fitness and size of the waves. You need to angle the rail with a wiggle (I call it squirrelling) and it gets the board down with the extreme volume resistance of a bigger board. So when you get into push up position, lean heavier on one rail then wiggle several times. The more wiggles the deeper you can get. Hope that helps! It's a version of this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrWqn1nqZJ_lbc But he's travelling across and you want to wiggle down at about 45 degrees.

[@joeblow2183]

I am 190 lbs with boards @ 43 or 44 litres. It’s possible to maybe get one duck dive but often in paddling out I realize that I should save energy to just paddle out. What is the limit on efficient duck diving with body weight to board volume?

[@davidshepherd2793]

Joe, I’m the same weight and often ride a 44 liter Lost Puddlejumper. It’s very wide and hard to duck dive. Here is what works for me: 1. Keep your momentum going forward. 2. Do a big push up on the nose and angle the board to one side. 3. Then kick the back of the board down. It’s impossible to duck dive if you don’t consciously push the front down first and then the back. I don’t know the answer to your question, but you can definitely duck dive your board with some practice. (Disclaimer: I’ve been surfing almost everyday for 3+ months, so I’m in pretty good paddling/duck diving shape)

[@ombesurf]

Very interesting question. Keen to find out. In the meantime try what David said in the comment above.

[@emrebennett2857]

The rule of thumb is usually take the L of your board - double it, that is the minimum weight you need to be to duckdive it well. I am 68kg but my technique isn't great so I can't duckdive 34L - I can duckdive 32L or less though

[@pkriv13]

Awesome video. Thanks! At 165 lbs should I be able to duck dive 36 liter board easily ?

[@MichaelMaston]

Yes

[@harrisonchou8929]

I always thought you were supposed to quack and waddle like a duck for this dive XD

[@ombesurf]

Can you please send us some clips to illustrate? lol!

[@MJKDESIGNer]

What about the size of the board? Won't that effect the dive. Are larger boards harder to duck dive?

[@ombesurf]

That is right Michael.

[@sashasoljan8346]

Hey guys up to what size wave are we talking for this to be the ideal DD .. what’s the upper end .

[@ombesurf]

Hey Sasha, hard to say really. This is for regular conditions, some overhead waves.

[@nicolasboudet9302]

Very interesting vid. 👍 I would like to ask you a side question: I am doing Kitesurf within waves and in case of big shore break with a strictly on shore wind, it is very tough to move out of the beach, so the more reliable technique is body drag: I am laying flat on the water with the board between hands and elbows and the wind pulls me upwind, but with a limited angle (as 20/30 deg to the sea) Due to so there are very much to travel sideways, and I cross plenty of big waves breaking hard on me, pushing me back to the beach, returning my board or myself…! 😵‍💫 People told me that the best technique would be to adopt the duck dive technique from the surf but no one was able to explain me the best practices for my particular case🥺 During the duck dive I will still have one arm up connected to the bar and maintaining the kite high and possibly pulling (at least not falling). My board will come at the duck dive entry point with an edging angle in opposition to the kite and with a 60/70 degree traveling direction to the wave Do you thing we must keep those angles when duck diving or try to do as surfer (board flat and facing the wave), when pushing on the noze to dive it?🤓 😎 Thank you for your help! 🤗

[@zipcheckcheck]

Even if the wind is onshore, I prefer to wait for the last wave of a set to come in and keep the water level high near the beach then hop on my board to ride out through the shore break. Ollie and pull your board up and over any oncoming waves when necessary. Should you need to body surf away from shore, try to align yourself perpendicular to the wave, as it gets ready to hit you, try to dive your kite down from 12 and pull you through to the back side of the wave as you kick your legs and try to duck dive under the wave. (If the wave is really standing up and about ready to dump on your head, do a transition jump turn movement with your kite, tuck your board under your arm to pull you up above and out of the impact zone. As soon as you land, dive your kite back out to sea to quickly regain tension on your lines. Usually your best option is to just ride through the breaking waves trying to ride through the least powerful points of the wave, try to get lift and pull as you make impact with a wave and then pump your kite to get out away from shore.

[@vladimirsheydorov3776]

I keep the foot I push with on the pad almost throughout the whole duckdive, or other wise my boards tail just lifts me back up. Is that normal?

[@ombesurf]

It sounds normal, specially when you are duck diving very deep.

[@DavidDiamanti-oc6xq]

When the wave is breaking top to bottom and pulling up sand, you can do what ever you want - the outcome is the same

[@amidamaruDS]

Hi guys! thanks for you video. What is the relationship between my weight and the volume of my board to do a good duck dive? My board is 6 feet , has 42 liters of volume and I weigh 72 kilos. Thanks! :)

[@misterbretzel]

The board's volume in L must be half your weight in Kg, or less. For you, 36L or less. I've been where you are this summer. 70kg suring a 43L board. I couldn't duckdive and I got tired very fast trying to push it underwater. Then I switched to a smaller 5'6 32L and I it got much easier. Without any coaching I can now duckdive decently once every 3 times, but it gets better with practice.

[@amidamaruDS]

@@misterbretzel Thank you very much for sharing you experince! :)

[@MichaelSmith-tm3iw]

The biggest issue i have is when the lip breaks on me… Other than avoiding it is there anything to do to prevent getting obliterated? Or is it inevitable?

[@ombesurf]

It sounds like you are paddling too early and getting ahead of it.

[@MichaelSmith-tm3iw]

@@ombesurf Sorry I should have clarified this is when i’m paddling out and a set wave breaks on my head. Do i just need to bail the board or how should that situation be handled?

[@samuelbrassill7797]

Would it be possible to duck dive a 36L board (I’m only 55kg)

[@ombesurf]

Dig one rail first.

[@rayvelasco2059]

Most Excellent ¿

[@clementswilson2072]

beard suits you well ...

[@ombesurf]

lol! thanks!

[@HOKALIco]

Learn how to Duck Dive with this short Surf tutorial video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZOokGilhKxlgZI

[@elikane7701]

ratio of body weight to board volume is something also.Especially when you're old and riding a bigger board but not a fat old fart 😆

[@retribution999]

Duck diving is only for broken waves. I don't think you made that clear. I've always preferred to ditch my board and swim deep under the wave. But I only surf uncrowded waves where loose boards are not a danger.

[@goodkitty6036]

better to ditch your board than break your neck. i hated the attitude of men out on the water when I would surf that you "aren't allowed" to do certain things. been surfing since 12 and i just have not ever managed a good duck, and once the lip came down on my neck and i have had back and neck problems ever since. i was told my neck injury was worse than a car accident. i have been dealing w illness and out of the water but when i get back in i will probably return to ditching my board with a brand new attitude of not caring about the stupidity of water rules and the judgments ppl throw. honestly it's probably because i am a woman I have dealt w all this unless any men would like to comment

[@ceeweedsl]

In my experience actually women usually get more of a pass. Other ladies are sympathetic to sisters and guys are used to being nicer to females. Males no pass for being male. Though respect and awareness in the lineup will get you some passes overall, male or female. Overall, if you are a chronic ditcher than you probably want to go to the waikiki or doheny type lineups where board ditching is common. I'm a bit of one myself, by the way. Trying to get better. Some of it is about having the strength to control your board for the waves you choose as well. Hard for me, I'm aged but trying.

[@goodkitty6036]

@@ceeweedsl i appreciate the input, i think i was in quite a bad mood when i wrote that comment! the issue is that where i surf it's a fast short board break and they are aggressive spots. were i a longboarder, i see your point, but women are automatically regarded as in the way unless they are pro no matter your skill level, there is just a disrespect out there probably because society has yet to catch up that we are not just sitting out there in bikinis...and yeah, being a male can imagine the humiliation to be expected to be at a compretition w your peers when surfing is supposed to be fun.

[@ceeweedsl]

@@goodkitty6036 Yeah, I know. I have had some run-ins with aggressive types in different places. I try to stay nice-ish or neutral and let them stew in their own vibe. And avoid the kinda break you're talking about - when they are busy, anyway. Which has hurt my progress since walking distance from my house is a fast powerful beach break. I now try to go out in midday when it's too hot for the cherry pickers here. Or when it's too small for 'em. But I'm a mid to long boarder. Again, about women, seems like it's changing where I've been. There are more and more really awesome women surfers (major style!) in California lineups, Hawaii too. Mexico as well - at the longboard sites. It's a fool who tries to predict the quality or priority of a surfer by their body parts these days. The only thing I can count on is that women are usually nicer in the water. Honestly I think your experience is not about being female but just how some agro male surfers act with anyone lesser, m or f.

[@goodkitty6036]

You are so right with Agro males not caring who so long as they are perceived as lesser, ha. Sounds like you live in a great location, hopefully there are more nice uns out there like yourself when I get back in the water! :)

[@pensacolapaintsllc7186]

Also, take a minute to like what your subscribers are saying mates, little love goes a long way and makes you seem less of a Diek.