Precise Positioning

Where you catch a wave is as important as your paddle technique. Just being a few feet outside the steeper part of a wave can make it impossible to catch. Take glances back at the wave until the very last moment.

Watch at 5:11

Lots of intermediates underestimate how precise their position must sometimes be in to be able to paddle into a wave. Just being a few feet outside of the steeper part of a wave can make it impossible to catch it.

Keep Taking glances over your Shoulder

As the wave gets closer to you, keep taking glances back towards the wave to make sure you’re positioning yourself at the right spot on the wave. Lots of surfers turn around too soon and start paddling to catch the wave. While it’s important at some point to stop looking back and to start committing to catch the wave, this should only happen at the very few last seconds, when you are certain you are at the right spot on the wave.