Whether it’s a longboard or a big foamie, we know that hauling a surfboard all the way down the beach can feel like a workout in itself. Wide boards can be a real challenge when it comes to lugging them around, especially for women – our arms sometimes just aren’t long enough to wrap around the width of those larger boards. 

But nothing should stand between us and good waves! Our incredible Women + Waves coaches have years of experience under their belts, and they’re eager to share their hard-earned tips and tricks with you. They know all the hacks to make surfing smoother, whether it’s mastering the art of balance, perfecting your grip, or finding the right carrying position. In this blog, our Women + Waves pro surf coach Kitty, is going to share her tips and tricks with you to make carrying any size surfboard a piece of cake. 

Surfboard Tip 1 – Flip It!

If you’re having trouble reaching your arm around the middle of your board, or find that your grip starts to slip too easily and you end up dropping it – don’t worry it happens to the best of us! 

An easy way to get your arm around a bigger board is to flip the board so the fin is facing outwards, you can then wrap your arm around a narrower section of the board. By holding the board backwards and letting the nose of the board dip behind you – the board becomes a lot easier to carry under your arm. You can also swap arms when they get a bit tired. 

Tip 2 – Hip Hold

Another great option if you struggle to grip the board is the Hip Hold. Balance the edge of the board on your hip and hold it at the thickest part of the outside rail. It’s a much easier way to get a good grip on your board, and can also come in handy on windy days. With the board on your hip, the wind passes more aerodynamically under your board and your arm, so you’re not caught like a sail in a storm trying to walk up or down the beach! 

Tip 3 – Head Hold 

The personal favourite of our top coach Kitty – the Head Hold is a surfer girl classic. As it says on the tin, this method involves balancing your surfboard on top of your head with the fins facing up and the nose down. You can keep the board nicely balanced by holding onto the rails. This super casual hold means you can switch arms no problem if one is getting tired. Perfect for bombing down the sand dunes when the waves are pumping and you’re keen to get stuck in! 

With these top tips, you’ll look like a pro strolling down to the waves in no time, board perfectly balanced no matter how big it is! 

Now you’re armed with the ultimate guide to the art of carrying a big board! With these tips in your toolkit, you’ll be ready to catch some epic waves. Remember, it’s all about finding what works for you – try out all the methods and see which fits best for you and your board. Whatever gets you to the waves quickest with the most energy is always the winner! 

Do you have your own methods for getting down to the waves with a big board? We’d love to hear them! Comment below and let us know.

Need advice on how to paddle outback on a bigger surfboard? Click here!