07 Apr Duck Diving vs. Turtle Rolling: Which Technique Should You Use?

So, you’ve waxed your board, suited up in reef-ready gear, and now you’re staring down the ocean like it’s a boss level in a video game. You paddle out with courage in your chest… until a high wall of white water comes charging at you like it missed its morning coffee. Enter the eternal surf conundrum: duck dive or turtle roll?

At Wave House Surf Camp Bali, where we’ve coached over 15,000 students since 2011 (yes, we stopped counting after that because we were too busy catching waves), we teach both techniques as part of our comprehensive surf program. But what’s the difference, and more importantly, which one should you use before you become one with the foam?

Let’s dive in. Or, you know, roll with it.

Duck Diving: The Cool Kid’s Underwater Escape

Picture this: You and your shorter board are heading straight for a wave that looks like it’s late for a very important appointment with your face. What do you do? You duck dive, baby.

Duck diving is the act of pushing the nose of your shortboard under an oncoming wave and gracefully slicing beneath it like a ninja dolphin. It’s slick, smooth, and efficient, if you do it right. If not, well, you’ll get tossed around like your laundry on spin cycle.

When to Duck Dive:

• You’re riding a shortboard or fish board.
• You’ve got some upper body strength and coordination.
• You want to look cool (not the most important reason, but we get it).

Pros:

• Gets you under waves quickly and cleanly.
• Keeps your paddle rhythm going.
• Bonus points for style.

Cons:

• Requires proper timing and arm strength.
• Useless on longboards, unless you enjoy wrestling your board underwater for sport.

Turtle Rolling: The Longboarder’s Defense Mechanism

Now, let’s say you’re out there on a longboard, feeling all zen and cruisey. Suddenly, a wave comes barreling in and there’s no chance you’ll duck dive with what’s basically a floating door. What now?

Time to channel your inner sea turtle. With turtle rolling, you flip your board upside down while holding on tightly and let the wave roll over you. Lay the nose of the board as flat as you can on the water to avoid a gap of air under the board and surface of water to avoid from losing grip when a wave passes over. It’s not as glamorous as the duck dive, but it gets the job done. And yes, it looks exactly as awkward as it sounds, but effective awkward.

When to Turtle Roll:

• You’re on a longboard or foamie.
• You need to get through white water without losing your board (or dignity) Bonus tip: wax the rails (side of the board where you will hold it) to add more grip.
• You’ve mastered the “just stay chill” vibe.

Pros:

• Great for beginners and longboarders.
• Doesn’t require brute strength.
• Easier to learn in early stages.

Cons:

• Slower and more vulnerable to mistiming.
• Requires solid grip (unless you want a board boomerang).

So, Which One Should You Use?

Simple: it depends on your board and your vibe.

• Riding a shortboard and feeling agile? Duck dive all the way.
• Chilling on a longboard or soft-top? Turtle roll your way to success.

At Wave House Bali Surf Camp, our expert instructors will teach you both techniques as part of our all-inclusive surf lessons, whether you’re a total newbie or a soon-to-be shredder. We incorporate daily video analysis (yes, you’ll get to relive the moment you forgot to hold your board properly), so you can actually see your duck dive improve or fine-tune your turtle roll into aquatic poetry.

Bonus Tips for Either Technique:

🌀 Timing is Everything: Whether ducking or rolling, wait until the wave is just about to hit you, too early and the wave will find you. Oh, it will find you.

💪 Hold That Board: Losing grip of your board is like dropping your phone face down, it never ends well.

🌊 Commit or Get Hit: Half-hearted diving or rolling is a one-way ticket to tumble town. Trust yourself and go all in.

Join Us at Wave House Bali and Learn the Right Way

Why Google surf tricks in your bedroom when you can live them in tropical paradise? At Wave House, we’re more than a surf camp, we’re a vibrant community of ocean lovers, with yoga, social events, and excursions that make every day feel like a highlight reel. Whether you’re a duck diver in training or a turtle roller extraordinaire, we’ve got a wave (and a technique) with your name on it.

Book your stay with us and level up your surf game in the sun-soaked waves of Canggu. Who knows? You might even find yourself duck diving like a pro or turtle rolling with zen-like mastery in just a few days.

👉 Book your surf escape today and let the waves do the talking.