Pearling

Pearling is when the nose of the surfboard digs into the water usually resulting in getting up-ended and flipped into the spin cycle.  This can happen while surfing, but tends to be most common with novice surfers while paddling for a wave.  If you find your are pearling while paddling for a wave, the quickest cure is to scoot yourself back some on the board thus shifting the weight-center back a bit.  This will prevent the wave from lifting the back end up so high (thus sending the nose down so low…right into Davey Jones’ Locker!)  Keep experimenting, you’ll eventually find the sweet spot as to where to place yourself on the board when paddling.

Bail, doggy, bail!

2 Comments

  1. Mike on 21 October 2009 at 11:54 pm

    I’ve become pretty proficient at pearling, and have also heard to angle into the wave as a deterrent. Now, actually doing that is a whole other challenge, but something to work towards.

  2. Jeff on 22 October 2009 at 9:05 am

    Goood point, Mike. Angling yourself into the wave does help. Also, pearling tends to be more likely the longer the board is.

Leave a Comment