Mastering Tube Riding: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn the fundamentals of tube riding, from positioning and timing to reading waves and making clean exits.

Tube riding is one of the most demanding and rewarding experiences in surfing. You are not just going along the face of the wave — you are inside the hollow section, surrounded by water moving at speed. It looks effortless in clips, but getting there consistently takes understanding and practice.

Choosing the right waves

For learning, you want waves that offer a makeable, predictable section rather than heaving closeouts. Point breaks and reefs with a defined takeoff spot are ideal. Beach breaks can work too, but look for sandbanks that focus the swell and create a repeatable, hollow section.

Positioning and takeoff

Good tube rides start before you stand up. Your positioning in the lineup determines whether you will be too deep, too wide, or in the sweet spot. Watch where better surfers are catching their waves and note how far out they sit, how they angle their paddles, and how early they commit.

Inside the tube

Once you are locked in, the main priorities are staying compact, managing your speed, and keeping your eyes on the exit. Bend your knees, keep your weight slightly forward or back depending on the section, and avoid stiff, upper-body movements. Subtle shifts make all the difference.

Learning progressively

Progress often comes in small steps: trimming under a crumbling lip, getting clipped but almost making it, then finally pulling in and coming out clean. Track your sessions, watch footage if you can, and focus on building habits that get you closer to the pocket instead of racing away from it.