Shield surfing is one of the most exciting mechanics in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BOTW). This feature allows Link to glide down hills and slopes using a shield as a makeshift snowboard. While shield surfing is fun on its own, you can also perform tricks to add style and flair to your rides. Whether you’re looking to impress your friends or improve your mastery of the game, learning how to do tricks while shield surfing can take your skills to the next level.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of shield surfing, how to perform tricks, and advanced techniques to make the most of your rides. With practice, you’ll be able to execute spins, flips, and even trick jumps like a pro.
How to Start Shield Surfing
Before performing tricks, you need to understand how to start shield surfing. Here’s how you can begin:
Find a Slope – Shield surfing works best on grassy hills, snowy slopes, or sandy dunes. Steeper slopes give more speed.
Equip a Shield – Make sure you have a shield in good condition. Wooden shields work on all surfaces, while metal shields may slow you down on rough terrain.
Draw Your Shield – Hold the ZL button to ready your shield.
Jump – Press the X button to leap into the air.
Start Surfing – While in mid-air, press the A button to land on your shield and begin surfing.
Now that you’re comfortable with the basics, let’s move on to performing tricks.
Basic Tricks While Shield Surfing
1. Performing a Mid-Air Spin
A spin trick is one of the easiest moves to execute and looks great when landing smoothly.
While shield surfing, tilt the left stick left or right and press X to jump.
While in mid-air, tilt the left stick further in the direction of the spin.
Link will rotate in the air before landing back on the shield.
2. 180-Degree and 360-Degree Spins
Want to make your turns stylish? Try this move.
Jump while shield surfing using the X button.
Quickly rotate the left stick in a circular motion.
A 180-degree spin will turn Link around to face the opposite direction.
A full rotation will result in a 360-degree spin.
3. Mid-Air Directional Flips
Flips look flashy and add variety to your tricks.
To do a backflip, jump and tilt the left stick backward while in mid-air.
To do a front flip, jump and tilt the left stick forward.
Timing is crucial, so start small and work up to full flips.
Advanced Shield Surfing Tricks
Once you have mastered the basic moves, try combining them into more advanced tricks.
1. Shield Jump and Paraglide Combo
This move allows you to chain tricks together while gliding through the air.
Jump while shield surfing.
Perform a flip or spin mid-air.
Just before landing, deploy your paraglider using X.
This allows you to extend your airtime and set up for another trick.
2. Surfing Off Cliffs for Big Air
Big air tricks look spectacular but require careful execution.
Find a steep cliff with a downward slope.
Start shield surfing and jump just before the edge.
While in the air, perform a spin or flip.
Land smoothly on a lower slope to continue surfing.
3. Trick Jump With Bomb Launch
For an explosive effect, use a bomb to gain extra height.
While surfing, drop a round bomb behind you.
Detonate the bomb at the right moment to launch yourself forward.
Perform a flip or spin while airborne.
Best Shields for Shield Surfing Tricks
Not all shields work well for surfing. Here are some of the best ones:
Radiant Shield – Great durability and smooth ride.
Knight’s Shield – A solid balance between speed and durability.
Hylian Shield – The best durability, but too valuable to risk breaking.
Dragonbone Boko Shield – Lightweight and decent for short rides.
Tips for Mastering Shield Surfing Tricks
Use Slopes Wisely – The steeper the slope, the more speed you gain.
Practice Timing – Well-timed jumps make tricks smoother and more stylish.
Combine Tricks – Try mixing spins, flips, and paragliding for advanced moves.
Avoid Rocky Terrain – Rough ground can damage shields quickly.
Watch for Durability – Shields wear down with use, so carry spares.
Conclusion
Shield surfing in Breath of the Wild is a fun and stylish way to explore Hyrule. By mastering basic and advanced tricks, you can make every ride an exciting adventure. Whether you’re spinning through the air, flipping off cliffs, or gliding down snowy mountains, these techniques will elevate your skills. So grab a shield, find a slope, and start practicing your best tricks today!
Related topics:
- How Physically Demanding Is Windsurfing?
- The 8 Best Freeride Windsurf Boards 2025
- How Does Windsurfing Work?
