What to Do When You’re Caught on the Inside on a Big Day

Every surfer has been there. You’re having a fun session, then the swell suddenly jumps. Sets get heavier, waves stack in front of you, and before you know it you’re stuck on the inside with walls of whitewater rolling at you. It’s frustrating, it’s exhausting, and if you don’t handle it right, it can ruin your session.

Here’s how to manage it without burning out.

Control Your Breathing

The first instinct is panic. Your heart races, you breathe fast, and suddenly every paddle stroke feels harder. That’s exactly what drains you. Instead, slow down. Focus on long, calm breaths. If you’ve ever practiced breath holds or apnea training, this is where it helps. Controlling your breathing keeps your body relaxed and saves energy for when you really need it.

Don’t Fight the Set

When a big wall of whitewater is coming, most surfers instinctively paddle as hard as they can. But the ocean is stronger than you. You can’t win against a set. If you’re already stuck inside, accept it. Paddle just enough to stay in position, dive under cleanly, and wait it out. Once the set passes, then you can move.

Keep Your Cool

Getting caught inside often feels unfair. You might miss the best waves of the day or get pounded while everyone else sits outside. It’s easy to start yelling or cursing in frustration but that’s just a waste of energy. Worse, it puts you in the wrong mindset. Remind yourself that every set, no matter how big, eventually ends. Stay calm, stay patient, and wait for the break.

Look for the Channels

At some breaks, channels are your escape routes. They’re areas of water that move out to sea rather than toward shore. There’s usually one or more channels you can slip into to get out of the worst of it. If you can angle toward one after the biggest waves roll through, you’ll save yourself a lot of paddling.

Focus on Technique

When you’re duck diving set after set, technique matters more than power. A clean, deep duck dive gets you through with less effort than a rushed, sloppy one. Conserve energy by doing each dive with purpose, keep your hands firm and chest low. Remember, efficiency matters more than strength.

Final Thought

Being caught on the inside is just part of surfing. It’s simply inevitable. The difference between burning out and staying calm comes down to mindset. Breathe slowly, don’t panic, save your energy, and let the set pass. Once the ocean eases up, you’ll be ready to paddle back out there with enough energy.

Enter the Basis Paddle Trainer:

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Use the Basis Paddle Trainer to train your paddling anytime, anywhere, so you can catch more waves and have more fun.

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