To perform a turtle dive, also known as a turtle roll, in surfing, you effectively flip your board over and hold onto the rails while submerged under the incoming wave. This technique is used to get past breaking waves when paddling out, especially on longer surfboards that are difficult to duck dive.
Here's how you do it, incorporating steps described in the provided reference:
Understanding the Turtle Roll
The turtle roll allows you to go underneath a breaking wave by using the buoyancy of your surfboard to keep you stable just below the surface.
Steps for Performing a Turtle Roll
Follow these steps when an approaching wave is too large to paddle over or through:
- Paddle Towards the Wave: Gain a little speed as you approach the wave.
- Grab the Rail: Just before the wave reaches you, grab the rails of your surfboard firmly.
- Flip Over: Flip yourself and the board over so you are underneath the board, facing the ocean floor. Keep your body close to the board.
- Stay Under: Stay under long enough so that the wave is gonna pass you completely. The board's buoyancy will help keep you near the surface, while you hold onto the rails to maintain control. You can hear the waves passing overhead.
- Pop Back Up: And once the wave passes you pop back on your board. Flip yourself and the board back over to the correct position and resume paddling.
When to Use the Turtle Roll
The turtle roll is particularly useful for:
- Surfers using longboards or larger funboards that are hard to duck dive.
- Getting through larger, breaking waves.
- Conserving energy when paddling out.
Here's a quick look:
| Technique | Board Type | Wave Size Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Duck Dive | Shortboards, Hybrids | Small to Medium waves |
| Turtle Roll | Longboards, Funboards | Medium to Large waves |
By mastering the turtle roll, you gain an essential skill for navigating the surf zone and getting out to the lineup more effectively.
