Duck Diving a Longboard
You can’t duck dive longboards! You may have been told this before, however, the truth is, duck diving a longboard is a skill and takes practice to learn. Practicing should be done during small surf conditions. The most important goal is 1) to get both you and your longboards beneath the oncoming surf as possible, 2) then to surface quickly when you have passed under the wave, and 3) then to return to paddling out.
For longboards the key is 1) getting your volume under the wave, 2 & 3 should take care of themselves if you developed the duck diving skill.
Longboard duck diving relies on sinking the boards nose first then going underneath the wave. Longboards have volume making them buoyant but most are still capable to sink with the proper technique.
It's not easy, and like duck diving shortboards, it is really all about practicing. It's a lot trickier to get a longboard under a wave than it is a shortboard. The positive thing about duck diving a longboard is that you can paddle it faster between sets. There's a whole world of technique happening to accomplish this, and some effective skill and decision making is also required.
Longboard duck diving is more technique and a little strength. You have to remember that it is harder to push the longboard flat under the water. The technique is to pick a corner rail on the front of your board and dip / slide that corner rail into the water first at an angle then push the other side with your opposite hand. Naturally when you get the board under the water your back foot will have to push the back of the board under the water timing it when the wave is about to pass over you. This skill takes practice.
What is the technique for longboard duck diving?
Paddle vigorously on a 45 degree angle to the wave. This will give you best angle and speed to drive the board under and through.
When the wave is about 10ft away, place both hands on the rails to the side of you (wherever is comfortable- a little forward or parallel to your shoulders)
The rail that is closest to the wave, tilt one shoulder (left or right) under the water and bring that rail on a 45 degree angle
Gripping the rails, push downwards, sinking the rail of the nose under the water.
Lean forward to help get more of the board under the water.
While underwater push the opposite rail level and at the same time use the one of your legs to push the tail down under the wave - putting pressure on the back of the surfboard. Underwater, you are back to 90 degrees with the wave.
Use the opposite leg in the air for support and continue to thrust down
Level and stretch both arms gripping the board with one hand forward and one back (not parallel)
A deep breath before you submerge your board will help
Longboards are buoyant and will surface easily
If done correctly, your longboard should be in a position to immediately start paddling again
