Avoid the water and the wet sand. Unless using a mushroom, it is unadvisable to leave the dry sand.
Mushroom usage: There are three good places to use mushrooms on Koopa Troopa Beach:
The stretch between the rock underpass and the tunnel through the rock (your kart will often mysteriously slow through this area).
In the tunnel through the rocks (see tricks below).
After the final turn, a mushroom can be used to take a more direct path to the finish line (through the sand and water if necessary). This is especially effective if the tide is out.
If you miss the tunnel, be sure to take the big ramp over the rock and get yourself a spiny shell.
Confirmed Tricks: How to Jump, Slide, and Skid Your Way to Victory
When you come to the rock arch, instead of going left, turn right, and follow the crab-infested path of wet sand.
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After the first set of three jumps, there is a tunnel through the rocks (duh). Contrary to popular opinion, there are three ways to get into the tunnel:
Use a mushroom on the ramp leading to the tunnel (a complete waste of a mushroom..do not do this!)
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Jump off the edge of the ramp (this gives you more control over where you aim your kart, and it also has the advantage of conserving mushrooms, which is especially important in time trials).
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If you have a rapid fire controller, set the jump button on rapid and just drive up to the tunnel entrance and hold the jump button down .Your kart will eventually pop into the tunnel entrance (this trick is very useful if the
ramp leading to the tunnel has been covered with crap (either by you or by others heh heh)).
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Unconfirmed Tricks:Ie. Rumours Floating About on the Web
I've heard tales of people driving on top of the Koopa Troopa Beach track(ie. up on the rocks.) I've tried this (using the wall-climb technique) at many spots in the track, but I always either fall off or glitch through the rocks into the water. Has anyone managed to "reach the top?"