Getting Tubed, Sup Style!

Posted on | June 13, 2009 |

We don’t get too many tubes over here on the East Coast, but for those in places that do, here’s some advice on getting shacked from John Ashley aka paddlesurf.net. BTW, check out his site: i do, once a day, and it’s great!

I love pulling in… usually I get TOOLED. Some observations:
1. These boards are so fast that lots of times I miss the tube because I’m going too fast. I’ve found that unless I get lucky and backdoor an already pitching little section, I have to take a different line to position myself for the cover up. I’ve had the best luck with dropping straight down, waiting in the flats for it to start to pitch and then pulling up under the hook- you pay big time if your timing is off but it’s the best way for me to get right into the barrel without outrunning it.
2. Helps if the wave is really throating- super hollow- the little almond eye tubes are usually too small to fit all of my junk in… and I’m packing some junk. Downside is when it’s the kind of wave that you need- the dues to be paid are pretty severe.
3. Dragging the paddle helps- usually, for me, it gets yanked back up into the spot where the lip seperates from the face- which is a trip- it just grabs it but it does help slow you down a little.
4. When you pull in- point the nose at the hole and get small- and pull up higher in the wave than you think you need to be… grab your line and just let it happen.
Just some observations for what its worth- tube riding’s tough on these especially down here on the beachy where they pop up really fast and upredictably.
good luck!