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Degree 33 Surf Blog

The Turtle Roll for the Longboard.

April 06, 2009

As you may have already discovered, your longboard cannot be used for duck diving. Longboards are just way too buoyant for this technique. To get through the big stuff, and to also escape any runaway surfboards, the turtle roll will now be your go to maneuver. Perfect your turtle roll technique with these handy hints. How to Turtle Roll.
  1. Paddle as hard and fast as you can.
  2. As the wave or surfboard approaches, about 3 seconds away, you need to roll your board over so the fins are now facing up. Make sure you have grabbed the rails (or the edges of your surfboard) near the nose, or front of the surfboard.
  3. Keep hanging on tight and pull your surfboard down hard towards you. You can also clench your legs around your surfboard for extra grip when the waves are bigger.
  4. Still keep hanging on tight to your surfboard. Keep the nose of the surfboard going down. While the drag of the wave may feel enormous, the wave should pass over you and your surfboard.
  5. While you are underneath your surfboard you can do a frog kick to get you going through the wave.
  6. When the wave has gone over you, roll your surfboard up the right way as fast as you can, and start paddling.
  7. The most important part of the turtle roll is to not start too early.
  8. Never, ever ditch your surfboard. Your long board is a potential weapon of destruction. You do not want it impaled some poor person's head or their surfboard.
  9. If you're not sure if its working, get a friend to watch you and tell you where you're going wrong.
Important Tips for the Turtle Roll. 3 seconds away from impact, roll your surfboard over and hang on with your hands and legs or knees. You will be underneath your board. Your surfboard fins will be sticking up through the water. Hang on. Once you are under the wave you can do a couple of kicks to propel you through the water. Once the wave has passed, right your surfboard and start paddling. This technique is for longboards only. You are obligated to keep out of the path of surfers on waves. They do not have to move for you. This will often mean you will have to paddle through the white water. The turtle roll will allow you to conserve your energy for the surfing action. This turtle roll takes some practice. The more you do it, the faster and more effective you will become. Never, ever abandon your surfboard. Unless the wave is as big as a house you are ethically obligated to hang on to your surfboard and keep it under control. You will seriously damage your cred if you keep letting go of your surfboard in 3 foot waves. Not only that, but you are endangering everyone else out in the water.


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