{"id":2079,"date":"2023-12-15T11:10:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T11:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfspots.org\/?p=2079"},"modified":"2023-12-15T11:13:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T11:13:06","slug":"things-to-do-when-a-wave-breaks-on-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfspots.org\/things-to-do-when-a-wave-breaks-on-you\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Things To Do When a Wave Breaks on You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you\u2019re a novice and just getting the hang of maintaining balance, chances are you\u2019ll be curious about riding those big waves and the aftermath of a wipeout. Your first wave break might be a pretty scary experience for you, especially if you don\u2019t understand wave patterns and how to manage them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The worst part is that wave sizes are usually unexpected where you might encounter several huge ones in one instant followed by a set of small and medium-sized waves. So, how exactly do you master wipeouts without the anxiety crippling you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Stay calm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Of course, this is easier said than done. When you\u2019re out on the battlefield, trying to convince your brain that everything will be all right will be the hardest thing you\u2019ll have to do. However, with the right strategies listed below, you can master this art immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Do not resist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Remember that panicking at that crucial moment will not serve you and will instead make you waste precious time. Additionally, one of the most important strategies to best handle a wave break is to take a deep breath, a feat impossible to achieve if you\u2019re hyperventilating. Instead, loosen up and let the wave carry you as it pleases until it finally clears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Practice breath holds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you can hold your breath for less than a minute at a time, you need to practice this skill and try to enhance it to reach anywhere between 1 to 2 minutes. A higher lung capacity will help you feel relaxed while in a challenging environment. You can improve this by maintaining a good posture and breathing with your belly so that your abdominal muscles and stomach work in sync to enhance your inhaling capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Master these maneuvers<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
If you ask any professional surfer, they\u2019ll tell you how hard these can be to master. This is because there are proper techniques that you will have to follow to ensure that the incoming wave doesn\u2019t knock your board out of your hands or push you around like a rag doll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should be able to time your maneuver precisely keeping in mind the wave movement, deciding beforehand which maneuver will suit you best, and planning how to position yourself with respect to the wave. Here are two strategies that you can use to best handle waves as they break:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duck diving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is ideal if you have a shortboard. The basic essence of this maneuver is that you have to approach and get under the wave. For this, it\u2019s essential to paddle towards it and maintain the right posture. You\u2019ll have to hold the rails of your board with your elbows sticking up. Next, your knees will be bent towards the end of the board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the wave approaches you, you\u2019d want to push your board in the forward and downward direction to be able to get under it. Once this is achieved, the next step will just be to relax and let buoyancy do its work.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turtle roll<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Turtle roll, also known as the Eskimo roll, is an especially great technique if you possess a longboard or a foamboard because it makes it hard to duck dive. This is because of the buoyancy that keeps pulling you to the surface. In order to perfect the turtle roll, you need to be perpendicular to the incoming whitewater wave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hold your board tightly close to you, bend your elbows, and then flip over to get underwater right when the wave approaches. This position helps ensure that you remain stable and in control throughout instead of getting pushed around. Wait until the wave has completely passed. You can then roll over right side up safely.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Get back on your board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This part is relatively easy. You can try one of the two approaches for this but remember that whichever method you choose, you need to practice it out on the sand to know which one will suit you best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are energetic enough and not too tired with the maneuver that you just performed, you can stand up in a single motion by jumping on your feet. While quicker, a downside to this method is that you can easily lose balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also try a less rapid approach that involves bending your knees and then eventually rising to your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Simply bail out when the wave is too big<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"Things](\"https:\/\/surfspots.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/IMG_3878-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/surfspots.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/11-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n