How to paddle out when surfing?
Getting through the waves to the lineup can sometimes feel harder than actually surfing them. If you're a beginner, paddling out can be exhausting — especially when a new wave seems to arrive every time you try to get past the break.
Learning how to paddle out surfing is an important part of becoming a better surfer. Once you understand where to paddle, how to handle breaking waves and how to time your paddle out, you'll save energy and feel much more confident in the water.
Watch the waves before you paddle out
Before entering the water, take a few minutes to watch the ocean.
Look for where the waves are breaking and whether there's a channel where fewer waves are coming through. Also watch how other surfers are getting out.
You'll often notice that experienced surfers aren't paddling straight through the biggest part of the break. They're looking for the easiest route to the lineup.
Spending a few minutes watching can make your paddle out much easier.
Look for a channel
A channel is an area where waves aren't breaking as consistently and water can move back toward the ocean.
If there's a clear channel at the beach you're surfing, it can be a much easier way to get outside than paddling directly through the breaking waves.
However, channels can also have strong currents. If you're unsure about the conditions, ask a local surf instructor or lifeguard before using one.
Time your paddle out between sets
One of the best beginner tips is to watch for the sets.
After a group of larger waves passes, there is often a quieter period before the next set arrives. This can be your opportunity to paddle out.
Instead of immediately running into the water, watch for a few minutes and try to identify the pattern:
smaller waves → bigger set → quieter period → next set
You won't always get a perfect gap, but learning to recognize these patterns will save you a lot of energy.
What should you do when a wave is coming?
If you're paddling toward the outside and a wave is coming directly at you, you need to get yourself and your board through it.
What you do depends on the size of the wave and the type of board you're riding.
For smaller waves, you can often push your board down and go underneath the whitewater, allowing the wave to pass over you.
For larger waves and bigger boards, you'll need to learn techniques such as the turtle roll.
How to do a turtle roll
A turtle roll is mainly used on longboards and larger boards when a breaking wave is coming toward you.
As the wave approaches:
- Paddle toward the wave.
- Hold the rails of your board firmly.
- Roll onto your back underneath the board.
- Keep your arms extended and hold the board securely.
- Let the wave pass over you.
- Roll back onto your stomach and continue paddling.
The goal isn't to fight the wave. You're allowing it to pass over you while keeping control of your board.
Practice this in smaller waves first so you can get comfortable with the movement.
What is a duck dive?
If you're riding a shortboard or another smaller board, you'll eventually learn the duck dive.
Instead of going over the wave, you push the nose of your board underneath the water and use your body weight to get yourself and the board below the breaking wave.
A basic duck dive looks like this:
- Paddle toward the wave.
- A few meters before the wave reaches you, push the nose of your board underwater.
- Use your knee or foot to push the tail down.
- Bring your body close to the board.
- Go underneath the wave.
- Let the wave pass above you.
- Resurface and continue paddling.
Duck diving takes practice, and it's much easier once you've developed enough strength and technique.
Don't paddle straight into the lineup
One common beginner mistake is simply paddling directly toward where everyone else is sitting.
Instead, look for the easiest route around the breaking waves. If there's a channel, use it. If there isn't, try to identify where the waves are smaller.
You don't need to take the shortest route. The easiest route will often get you outside faster — and with much more energy left for surfing.
What does "getting caught inside" mean?
You've probably heard surfers talk about being caught inside.
This means you're stuck on the beach-side of the breaking waves while a set is coming through. Instead of being outside where the waves are starting to break, you're suddenly dealing with several waves breaking directly on top of you.
For beginners, this can be tiring and sometimes intimidating.
If you see a large set approaching and you're too far inside to get past it, don't panic. Focus on keeping control of your board, protecting yourself and getting through each wave one at a time.
Don't ditch your board
When a wave comes toward you, it can be tempting to simply let go of your board and dive underneath.
Avoid doing this whenever possible.
Your surfboard is attached to you with a leash, and letting it go can put other surfers at risk. A board being pulled back by a leash can travel quickly and hit someone.
Always keep control of your board and use the appropriate technique for the conditions and your board size.
Save your energy
Paddling out can be exhausting, especially when you're learning.
That's another reason why reading the ocean is so important. Don't fight every wave if you don't have to.
Look for channels, time your paddle out between sets and take advantage of quieter areas. The goal isn't to paddle as hard as possible — it's to paddle smart.
And remember that conditions can change quickly. If the waves are too powerful for your experience level, there's nothing wrong with staying on the beach or choosing a more beginner-friendly spot.
Getting outside is part of surfing
Paddling out might not be the most exciting part of surfing, but it's a skill you'll use every single time you surf.
The more you practice, the better you'll become at reading the ocean, timing sets and choosing the easiest route to the lineup.
Before long, you'll stop thinking about every wave as an obstacle and start seeing the gaps between them.
Watch the ocean, stay calm, paddle smart — and save your energy for the waves you came to surf.