How to “Turtle Roll”

The “Turtle Roll”, sometimes called the “Eskimo Roll”, is the best technique to get past bigger whitewater waves that are too powerful for the “push through” method. Longboards and foamboards offer a lot of floatation, which is great for learning but makes it almost impossible to sink your board underwater to “duck dive”.

Mastering the Turtle Roll is essential if you’re aiming to get past the break on a bigger surfboard. The Turtle Roll is a great technique to stay in control of your board without getting pushed back too much by the whitewater.

Step 1 – Paddle Permendicular to the Wave

Take a look at the horizon. Only start paddling when bigger sets of waves have passed you and when the ocean looks calmer. Paddle with your board perpendicular to the wave to get some momentum towards the approaching wave.

Step 2 – Flip Upside Down

About 6 feet (2 metres) before a whitewater wave gets to you, grab the rails beside your pectorals and turn yourself and the board upside down. Don’t forget to take a good breath before flipping under!

Step 3 – Keep Arms Bent & Nose Submerged

Underwater, leave space between your body and the board and ensure the surfboard’s nose is sunk in the water. Your arms should have a slight bend in them, your head should not be close to the board, and your board should be sealed to the water, with no space between the surface of the water and your surfboard. Just relax and wait for the wave to pass over you.

Step 4 – Stay 100% Perpendicular

When the whitewater comes to you, your surfboard should be 100% perpendicular to the wave (90 degrees). Just a slight angle can ruin your turtle roll: the whitewater will hit the side of your surfboard and throw it out of your hands.

Step 5 – Flip back up

‍To flip the board back up, pull one rail with one hand and push the other with your other hand. Kick your legs to help you back up.

Common Mistakes

• Not having your surfboard perpendicular to the wave. If the whitewater hits your surfboard on its side, it will get knocked out of your hands.
• Not having your surfboard sealed in the water or having your surfboard’s nose out of the water. If some parts of your surfboard are out of the water at the moment of contact with the wave, especially if the nose is out, the whitewater will push your board back, and you will lose control of it.
• Keeping your arms too stiff and too straight underwater. This leaves you no room to absorb the shock when the whitewater goes over you, making it easier to lose your surfboard.
• Turning upside down too soon. For example, if you flip 8 seconds before the wave comes, you will probably not be perpendicular to the wave when it gets to you 8 seconds later. Currents will move you to the side, but how will you notice? You will be underwater!
• Turning upside down too late. You can’t be in the process of flipping upside down when the whitewater hits you. If you are not ready, with your board upside down and underwater, the whitewater wave will push your board around. You will either lose your surfboard or get pushed back by a good distance.