Catching a wave offers a fast means of returning to shore, but great skill and care are needed to maintain control of the board. When catching a wave, it is important to:
- maintain your forward momentum until you have caught the wave
- regularly adjust your trim to maintain the correct balance once you have caught the wave.
Follow the steps below to catch waves on a board.
Unbroken wave
- Increase your stroke rate as you paddle ahead of the wave until it picks you up and accelerates you forward.
- Move your hands back to the line of your hips and hold the side straps of the board as the board slides down the face of the wave.
- Lift your chest from this position while sliding your weight to the back of the board to prevent nose-diving.
- Move your arms back to your hip line with elbows projecting away from the board to stabilise yourself if required. Your balance can be further maximised by moving your legs apart in a V-shape.
- Lean on one of the sides of the board to steer it in that direction. You may also lower one leg into the water to assist a turn.
- Move your weight forward to trim the board and begin paddling again if you start to ‘fall off’ the back of a wave.
Broken wave
- Keep your forward momentum while paddling ahead of the incoming wave to reduce the impact of the wave.
- Slide as far back as possible towards the rear of the board and grip the side straps just before the wave reaches you.
- Stabilise yourself by moving your legs apart in a V-shape.
Note:
- If the wave is likely to break on top of you, position yourself on the tail section of the board to angle the nose upwards and grab the side straps.
- If needed, move forward to trim the board when the wave pushes you in front of the white water.
- If you are kneeling, use your hands in the water to stabilise the board.
- Remember to check the conditions ahead.