The surfboard sex position is a rear-entry position in which the receiving partner lies flat on their stomach and the penetrating partner kneels or lies over them from behind, chest close to their back. Think of it as the lazier, lower cousin of doggy style: nobody holds an all-fours pose, and the flat angle creates a snug, close feel that many couples love. Here is how to set it up, the angle that makes it work, and the small adjustments that keep it comfortable for both of you.
How to Do the Surfboard Position: Step by Step
A quick naming note: most guides use "surfboard" (or "surfing") for the face-down, rear-entry position described here, and it overlaps heavily with the flatiron. A few sources use the name for a different position, so if you have seen another description, that is why.
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Set up a firm, flat surface. A supportive mattress or a padded floor works best; a very soft mattress lets the hips sink and makes the angle harder to find. Keep lube and a couple of pillows within reach.
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The receiving partner lies face-down. Legs relaxed and a little apart, head resting on folded arms or with a low pillow under the chest, so the neck does not have to twist hard to one side. Switch the side the head faces now and then.
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The penetrating partner moves in from behind. They kneel or lie between the receiving partner's legs and lower their chest toward their partner's back. Their weight stays on their own forearms, hands, or knees, not on their partner's spine or ribs. Light chest contact is the goal, not a full pin.
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Enter slowly with plenty of lube. The angle is shallow, so entry may need a little guiding by hand. Once you are aligned, small rocking or grinding movements usually work better here than long strokes.
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Exit gently. The penetrating partner lifts their weight first and moves to the side, so the receiving partner can roll over without anyone pressing on them.
Why the Surfboard Position Works
The flat, face-down posture changes the angle of entry compared with doggy style. With the receiver's hips low, penetration follows a shallower path toward the front wall of the vagina, or toward the prostate during anal sex. Some people find that more intense; anatomy varies, and others notice little difference. The receiver's thighs and buttocks also add pressure around the entry, which is why the position often feels snug.
It is easy on the receiving partner, who does not have to hold themselves up. The trade-off is that the penetrating partner does most of the physical work and sets most of the rhythm, while the receiver steers with small tilts of the pelvis.
4 Surfboard Position Variations to Try
Hips Raised (Flatiron Style)
A firm pillow or folded blanket goes under the receiving partner's hips. This tilts the pelvis up, which usually makes entry easier and allows deeper penetration. Many guides call this version the flatiron. Lower or remove the pillow if the arch pinches the lower back.
Legs Together
The receiving partner keeps their legs closed while the penetrating partner straddles their thighs, knees on the outside. This gives a tighter feel with less depth, a good fit for couples who find full depth uncomfortable.
Up on the Forearms
The receiving partner props their upper body on their forearms, sphinx-style. This frees the neck and makes breathing easier, and the penetrating partner can wrap an arm around their chest or kiss their neck. It loads the shoulders, so it works best in shorter stretches.
Half-Turn Toward Spooning
The receiving partner rolls partly onto one side, top knee bent forward, while the penetrating partner stays behind. This takes pressure off the chest and belly and lets you glance at each other over a shoulder. Roll the rest of the way and you are in the spooning position.
Who the Surfboard Position Suits (and Who Should Skip It)
It suits couples who like rear entry and lots of skin contact but want something more relaxed than doggy style, and it is a kind choice when the receiving partner's wrists or knees dislike all-fours positions. It is less ideal if eye contact matters a lot to you, or if the penetrating partner tires quickly, since they carry most of the effort.
Who Should Be Careful
- Neck or shoulder pain (receiving partner): keeping the head turned can aggravate it. Use the forearm variation or a chest pillow.
- Wrist, elbow, or shoulder trouble (penetrating partner): holding themselves up is a plank-like effort. Resting on knees and forearms helps; if it still hurts, spooning is easier.
- Lower back pain: a high hip pillow can over-arch the spine. Keep it low or skip it.
- Trouble breathing face-down (asthma, congestion, a larger chest or belly): the half-turn variation or a different position will feel better.
Comfort, Safety and Consent
The one non-negotiable: the face-down partner must always be able to turn their head and breathe freely, with no weight on their head, neck, or back. Because you cannot see each other's faces, agree before you start how you will check in. A quick "Good?" or "Slower?" works, and so does a simple signal, like two taps on the bed or arm, that means stop right away. Pain, numbness, or feeling trapped are reasons to stop, no explanation needed. For more on talking through what you both want, see our lover's guide to sex positions.
Related Positions
- Spooning: the side-lying version of this closeness, gentler on the chest, belly, and breathing.
- Scissor position: another lying-down option, with more active hip and leg movement from both partners.
Surfboard Position FAQ
Is the surfboard position good for beginners?
Yes, it is one of the easier rear-entry positions to learn, because the receiving partner simply lies down and no flexibility is needed. The learning curve is mostly for the penetrating partner, who has to find the angle and keep their weight off their partner. A pillow under the hips makes the first tries much easier.
Is the surfboard position safe during pregnancy?
Usually not once lying on the stomach becomes uncomfortable, which for many people happens fairly early. Pressure on the belly is the issue, so the half-turn variation or spooning is a better choice. If you have any pregnancy complications, ask your healthcare provider about sex in general.
How is the surfboard different from doggy style?
The difference is the receiving partner's posture. In doggy style they are on hands and knees; in the surfboard they lie flat, which lowers the angle, increases body contact, and moves the physical effort to the penetrating partner.
What if the surfboard position hurts?
Pause and change one thing at a time: less depth, more lube, a different pillow height, or legs together to limit how deep things go. Deep penetration can bump the cervix or feel too intense during anal sex, and that is a signal to adjust, not to push through. Pain that keeps coming back during sex is worth raising with a doctor.
Can you add clitoral stimulation in the surfboard position?
Yes, but it usually takes a hand or a toy, because the angle alone rarely reaches the clitoris. The receiving partner can slide a hand underneath, grind against a firm pillow, or place a small, flat vibrator beneath the hips. Choose one without hard edges so it does not dig in under body weight.
