Surfing
Surfing
The 4 different types of tubes
Discover the exhilarating world of tube riding in surfing. From beach sand banks to ominous pits, learn about the four distinct types of barrels and how to master them.
The Slab
Only gaining notoriety over recent years, the Slab is a weird old phenomenon that needs some investigation. The only reason you’re going to be surfing a slab is because you’re tube hunting, and for a slab to tube it means that it is breaking over a shallow shelf of rock. Slabs thus have notoriously difficult take-offs. The only way in is either via a jetski rope, or a late take-off sitting on the corner of the shelf. Either way, you need to figure out your entry, and that’s all you need to do, because the rest of the technique of riding a slab is standing tall in the tube, or negotiation a few steps. Be careful out there.
The Beach Sand Bank
Tube time is the best time
© Trevor Moran
The best thing about the beach break sand bank, is that most times you can get a very high wave count, and quickly learn your tube technique, or pick it up. The rule with these sorts of waves and tubes is to simply glut. Not at the expense of other surfers, we do not condone hussling or snaking, but try and catch as many waves as you can. Change up your technique. If you’re on your backhand then grab your rail on one wave, then try hands free the next, and try a layback after that. If the setup is not too big, and fairly close to the beach, then you can afford to take a few wipe-outs, in the process of up-skilling.
The Set-up Section
Mick Fanning way up north
© Trevor Moran
These are the waves that you dream about. An easy take off, into a section that allows you to set a good line, before the wave unleashes a thick barrel over the inside section. Does it sound too good to be true? Here are some tips. Don’t stall too much. It might make you look cool, but a perfect, tubing section is going to need some speed and decent negotiation, so don’t tap off all of your speed. Focus. Just because it is a set-up doesn't mean that you can soul arch without a care in the world. The wave might hit a wobble, or there might be someone floundering inside. Ride it as you would a normal tube, just be happier that it’s easier than most.
The Fun Head Dip
Jordy hides behind the curtain
© Ryan Millar
Sometimes a wave that doesn't normally barrel, decides to throw a lip. Logic would tell you that it’s not worth going for a barrel on a non-barreling wave and that a lip means that you have something to hit, but sometimes pulling into a novelty barrel is pleasing. Remember that if it’s not a normal barrel that there could be a chandelier, and that the barrel might close out on you. It’s ok though, because those sorts of waves are usually softer than the normal barreling waves, and if you hold steady you should be able to punch out of a shut-down.
The Ominous Pit
Kai Lenny would go
© From the film 'Paradigm Lost'
When it comes to surfing ominous pits, it’s all about courage, and it’s not about moves. Find your biggest, thickest board and head on out with one thing in mind – pulling in. No need to think about turns and floaters. All you want to do is be brave enough to paddle for a big one, get to the bottom, and stand tall. When it comes to those pits, the default board is always going to be big and thick, and the bigger and thicker the better. Good luck!
