How to Shield Surf in BOTW – Shield Surfing in Breath of the Wild

Want to find out how to shield surf in BOTW? This guide will help players figure out execute this obscure, but fun ability Link can pull off in Breath of the Wild. For this and more, visit our BOTW guides.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released in 2017 to the Nintendo Switch and Wii U. In BOTW, players are given very little instruction and can explore the world freely. Two DLC are available for the game, The Master Trials and The Champions’ Ballad. With those two DLC, there’s so much to do in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it’s easy to ignore or otherwise miss out on learning how to shield surf. Especially, since it’s an ability that’s only useful in very specific circumstances. After all, why shield surf in BOTW when paragliding or riding a horse is available as an option? Because you can. Do you have a downward hill and a durable shield? Then get to it. 

Related: How to Farm Star Fragments in Breath of the Wild – BOTW Star Fragment Farming

Where to learn about Shield Surfing in Breath of the Wild?

This ability isn’t emphasized much in the game. Who could blame players for making it through all of the game without shield surfing in BOTW once? But, once you know how, try and stop yourself from sending Link flying down a Hyrulian hill with the air whisking by our hero’s face, and a makeshift surfboard keeping him from faceplanting in the grass or snow below.

Shield Surfing is one of the racing minigames in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Players can learn how to shield surf at Selmie’s Spot in the Hebra region. For 20 rupees per attempt, the player can try each course as many times as they want. While there’s a beginner and advanced course, the goal is still the same. Make it to the bridge at the bottom of the hill as quickly as Link can surf there.

Where’s the best place to Shield Surf in BOTW?

Shield surfing works best in the desert or on the slopes in snow-covered territory, such as Lanayru, Hebra, or the Gerudo region which is both sand and snow. Experimentation is always encouraged in BOTW, but the player should probably avoid rocky mountains and hills. The process of shield surfing in BOTW will wear down the durability of Link’s shield. Rocky terrain will wear down Link’s shield faster. Grassy hills will also decrease the shield’s durability, but not as quickly. It’d be a good idea to find some to find some shields the player doesn’t care about breaking. It’d be a shame to lose any of the shields that can only be found once per game.

How to Shield Surf in Breath of the Wild

Link must have a shield equipped to pull this trick off. Once a good slope or hill has been located, activate Link’s defensive stance by holding the (ZL) button, and pull out the shield. Tap the (X) button to jump followed immediately by the (A) button. Link will put the shield underfoot while jumping. If the player wants to pull of a sweet 1080 spin, they should press (Y). For extra street cred, players can whip out their bow and take out targets at top speed, or do a spin attack. In order to dismount while shield surfing in BOTW, the player can press the (B) button.

Next: How to Farm Farosh Dragon Parts in Breath of the Wild – BOTW Farosh Dragon Farming

While it’s not the most useful way to travel Hyrule, it is a pretty cool way to get down a hill or slope in Breath of the Wild. If this How to Shield Surf in BOTW guide was helpful, check out our other Breath of the Wild Guides.