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Dude, get yourself a water-logged journal or a solid app. After each session, jot down the conditions, what you worked on—like nailing that bottom turn or getting more vertical—and how it felt. Watching clips of yourself is key, even if it’s just phone footage. It’s all about spotting little improvements, like generating more speed down the line or cleaning up your pop-up. This mindful approach helps you focus your next dawn patrol.

Duck diving is the technique used to push your board underwater beneath an oncoming whitewater wave, so you can get out back without getting pummeled. You shove the nose down, push the tail under with your knee or foot, and let the wave pass over you. It’s essential for shortboarders to efficiently get through the impact zone. Mastering it saves energy and gets you to the lineup faster, ready to catch set waves.

Bethany rides custom sticks tailored for her unique style. Her boards often feature a modified nose shape, sometimes with a handle or extra grip for stability during take-off. She typically rides shorter, high-performance shortboards that are wider and thicker through the front for extra paddle power and balance. The tails are often pulled in for control in critical sections. It’s all about that perfect blend of paddle-ability, pop-up speed, and radical maneuverability to tackle anything from Pipeline to small peelers.

Start from a solid, balanced stance as you finish your drop. Look where you want to go—usually back up the face. Compress your legs, then powerfully extend them, driving your rail into the wave with your weight on your back foot. It’s like pushing off the wall of a pool. Your board will pivot on its tail, sending you on a new trajectory. The key is commitment; really lean into that rail and trust your equipment to hold the line.