How to fall off safely

Surfing / Popular

Fall flat, protect your head and come up covered.

What coaches agree on

Fall or push yourself away from your board, toward its side or back, so the wave can't wash it into you.
Cover your head and face with your hands or arms, both as you fall and as you come back up, since the board's nose and fins are the biggest hazard.

Common mistakes

Diving or jumping in head-first or feet-first, instead of landing flat with arms and legs spread, is a common way surfers get hurt, especially since most spots are shallow enough to hit bottom.
Popping straight back up to the surface right after falling, instead of taking a moment for the board and turbulence to clear, is how surfers get hit while resurfacing.

Beginner

Surfing - How to: Wipeout safely

Coach's take: Short, dense, and actually explains the why behind every safety cue -- exactly what this skill needs.

3.8

Beginner

Falling off a Surfboard

Coach's take: Thorough, well-reasoned, and covers real scenarios — this is the one to actually learn from.

3.8

Beginner

How to fall safely while surfing | Beginner tips from Lapoint

Coach's take: Says more useful things per second than almost anything else here.

3.7

Beginner

How To Surf | Fall Off Safely Without Hurting Yourself

Coach's take: Explains the why behind each rule, not just a list of dos and don'ts.

3.4

Advanced

Falling in Barrels/ Closeouts Explained

Coach's take: Real technique, real reasoning -- this will actually keep you safer in heavy water.

3.3

Advanced

HOW TO FALL OR EJECT IN A CLOSEOUT BARREL/ GET LESS WORKED!

Coach's take: Real technique from someone who's actually eaten it in barrels -- aim for the flats, go in feet-first, know when you don't have time to think.

3.1