Duck dive en surf

Duck Dive in Surfing

The Technique to Pass Under Waves

Learn how to perform a duck dive (or “canard”) to efficiently pass under waves with your surfboard. Our instructors’ tips to master it properly.

🦆 What Exactly Is the Duck Dive?

In French, duck dive literally means “duck’s dive.”
In surfing, it’s a technical move that allows you to dive under a wave with your board to avoid being pushed back or swept away.

👉 It’s the essential technique to reach the line-up when the waves are already well-formed.

👥 What Is It For?

The duck dive allows you to:

✅ Avoid being pushed back toward the shore
✅ Save your energy by avoiding direct impacts
✅ Pass under foam and powerful waves
✅ Reach the open water faster and with more control

It’s a basic technique as soon as you want to progress and surf more challenging spots.

🧠 When Should You Use It?

Use the duck dive when:

  • You are surfing with a shortboard or intermediate board

  • You want to get through the break in powerful conditions

  • You want to stay smooth and maintain control of your paddling even through sets

💡 Note: if you’re using a longboard or a bulky foam board, this is not the right technique (see below).

📋 The Key Steps of the Duck Dive

  1. Paddle faster just before reaching the wave

  2. Push the front of the board underwater with your arms

  3. Sink the back with your knee or foot

  4. Keep your chest low and your head tucked in

  5. Let the wave pass overhead

  6. Naturally rise back up thanks to buoyancy

💡 The smoother and more synchronized you are with the wave, the more effective the duck dive will be.

❌ Common Mistakes

❌ Lack of speed before impact
❌ Diving too late or too slowly
❌ Leaving the board flat or loose
❌ Lifting your head, looking at the wave, or relaxing your arm pressure

These mistakes will push you backward or cause you to lose your board. Not cool when facing a strong set.

🪄 The Instructor’s Tip

“A good duck dive is like a controlled push-up: it’s quick, but it’s controlled. You need to anticipate the wave and feel the right moment to dive.”

🏄 What If My Board Is Too Big?

  • 👉 If you’re surfing with a longboard, a foam board, or a very thick board, the duck dive won’t work.

    ➡️ Instead, use the turtle roll technique:

    1. Hold the board firmly by the rails

    2. Flip it face-down against the water just before the wave hits

    3. Keep your body tight underneath

    4. Let the wave pass

    5. Flip back into the normal position once the wave has passed

✅ In summary

The duck dive is THE key technique to master for getting through waves cleanly, without getting tossed around by every foam.
From the intermediate level onwards, it becomes an essential reflex to maintain control and surf smoothly and with pleasure.

Practice first in small waves, stay confident, and let your body learn the right timing 🌊

Other Articles from the Glossary