Beginners Guide to Surfing

After seeing photos and videos online and dreaming of that “feeling” people experience when they ride a surfboard, you have decided to give surfing a try! Well-done, your half way there! Although the sport is fun and you get to soak up the sun on the beach, it can be challenging to start. But don’t worry, we haave put together a helpful guide to help you stand up on your board and catch a wave in no time

Learn to surf using a soft-top board

Ever heard of a foam or soft-top surfboard? They are the best selling surfboards in the world. The reason being they are great for those new to surfing due to their large, stable build which will help to keep you balanced while your learning the basic surfing techniques – and they’re fun too! One thing that is almost unavoidable when you’re a beginner surfer is your board hitting you which is another reason it’s best to get a soft top board to take the hits from the board. Using a short-board not fit for your level is un-advised as a beginner, you will find that you

Baby Steps

You probably are tempted to get out there in the most popular surf spots, but the best advice to take as a beginner is to surf where there are few people. The surfers at the hot surf spots have most likely been there for years and they will get the best waves. Try somewhere less populated so you can have a try at some of the best waves and get better and better at your surfing skills.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice your pop up. Go to the beach and lay your board on the sand to practice popping up on your board. Here’s a tip for standing up on a wave: the trick is a quick and fluid pop up; it’s like a very controlled and quick push-up.

Find the Right Spot

Some beginners paddle too far back on their board and some paddle too far up, making the nose of the board go into the water or nose diving. Find your sweet spot on the board, which is right in the middle. If you want to, you can mark it with a piece of wax so you know where to lay every time you hit the waves.

Stay Perpendicular to the Whitewash

You want to stay perpendicular to the whitewash so your board does not turn horizontally, because with a horizontal board you would be pushed toward the shore or risk getting hit in the face with your board when a wave breaks onto you.

Take an Extra Paddle

Surfers on all levels use this tip. When you’re out on the water paddling, you’ll feel a the force of your paddle and the water start to lift you , and that’s when you take one more paddle. The exta paddle will help so you don’t get stuck on the top of the wave.

Fall Flat

You’re going to fall in surfing, so the best thing to do is learn how to fall correctly. The best way to fall is to fall flat. You should never dive off your board head first or jump off the back or side of the board. Try not to even jump off feet first because that can be dangerous too. After falling, put your arms and hands over your face and head just in case your board is coming back; you don’t want to get hit in the face.

Have Fun

When you’re learning to surf, you’re going to wipe out sometimes, get in people’s way out on the waves, and make some mistakes, but that’s what you’re supposed to do when learning. The most important thing to remember is to have fun. A saying to remember in the surf world is, “The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun!”

Check out the pictures below from our latest session at El Cotillo – Enjoy!