How to get through waves and pass the break easier using the “punching through” technique.

The “pushing through” technique, or “punching through”, is the optimal method to use to get passed small waves on a big surfboard. This technique uses the speed and flotation provided by a longboard in order to drive ourselves through the wave, instead of under it.

Walk out in the ocean until you have water up to your chest. You should hold the surfboard by its nose, and keep it perpendicular to the waves. Once you have walked to chest-deep water, take a look at the horizon. Only start paddling when bigger sets of waves have passed you and when the ocean looks calmer.

Lay on your surfboard and paddle out. When you come closer to white water waves, keep paddling straight to it. The more speed you have, the more control you will get when pushing through.

6 feet (2 metres) before you hit the white water, grab your rails, push on the board and bring your chest up. The white water and its energy will pass between you and your surfboard. On bigger waves, you can kick one leg in the air to bring more weight towards your upper body, which consequently brings extra weight over the front part of your surfboard. This helps to prevent getting knocked back off your surfboard when white water waves are more powerful.

When the white water hits you, your board should be facing straight towards the wave, 100% perpendicular to it (90 degrees). Hold on tight and keep your chest up while the white water passes between your body and your surfboard.