The turtle roll lets longboards and higher-volume boards pass under whitewater with control and without stressing your shoulders.
When to use it
- Longboards, funboards, or any board that resists sinking for a duck-dive
- Breaking waves and larger foam piles when punch-through would stop you
- Enough space to flip without hitting others; check behind you first
Steps
- Approach with some speed to keep glide
- Grab both rails near chest line with arms straight but soft
- At 1-2 board lengths away, take a breath and flip the board upside down
- Keep your body close to the deck; pull the board slightly down to let the wave pass over
- After the wave passes, roll back upright and immediately resume paddling
Key points
- Keep arms near-straight to protect shoulders; avoid wrestling the board
- Stay glued to the board; big gaps make you lose control
- Angle slightly to avoid the thickest part of the foam if possible
Common mistakes
- Rolling too late and getting pushed back hard
- Letting go of a rail — the board twists and can hit you
- Rolling with bent elbows and shrugging shoulders; leads to strain
Drills
- Flat-water flips: practice smooth roll and recovery without rushing
- Foam reps: start on smaller foam to dial timing, then scale up
- Breath rhythm: exhale on flip, calm inhale after recovery (see breath-and-relaxation)
Safety
- Always scan behind before flipping to avoid hitting a surfer
- Use a consistent rail grip and keep the board close to your body
The turtle roll is about calm control — flip smoothly, stay connected, and you’ll pop up ready to keep moving toward the lineup.