Once enjoyed only by Hawaiian royalty, surfing is now available almost everywhere in the world. Seizing the opportunity to ride the wind and waves and glide across the water on a surfboard is a different life experience. Follow the steps below to learn how to start surfing.
Preparation
Get your surfboard ready. If you are a beginner, you will need a larger and longer surfboard. Learn about the basic types of surfboards. Although you can follow some advice from surf shops or online, it’s a good idea to understand the basic types of surfboards before you go to the store to buy one. as follows:
- Longboards are the oldest and longest common type of surfboard, ranging from 2.4 to 3.6 meters in length. Beginners prefer longboards because they are easier to use.
- Happy board. This kind of surfboard is about 2.1 to 2.5 meters long, which is a relatively short one. The Happy Board combines the agility of a short board with the smoothness and stability of a longboard. The Happy Board is not very easy for beginners, but once you have adapted to the longboard, you will feel very comfortable trying the Happy Board.
- Short board. The length of the short board is shorter than 2.1 meters. Mastering a shortboard requires more practice than a longboard, but a shortboard is a professional surfboard that allows for difficult maneuvers.
- fish plate. It is shorter than a shortboard but wider. Its flatness and relatively small shape are ideal for small waves. More suitable for moderate surfers.
- Gun board. The gun board is long and narrow, has a pointed mouth, and is designed for top players to ride the biggest waves. It can handle heights and high speeds with ease.
- Surf wear. In many places, surfwear is as important as your board in making your surfing experience enjoyable. A wetsuit can keep you warm in cold water and help fight chills and hypothermia.
- Get some wax ready. Wax is very important for surfboards, and it’s also very cheap. You can rub wax on your surfboard to improve your foot grip and help you maintain better balance in the water. Ask the surf shop which type is suitable for the water temperature where you surf.
- A belt is essential. It will prevent you from detaching from the board in the water. Leashes are great if you don’t want to lose your board in a huge wave or if your board floats to other surfers or hits rocks.
- That’s also possible if you want to save money. You can buy a used surfboard. Your first surfboard is prone to bumps and bruises, so you don’t need to buy a particularly good one for your first time.
- If it’s your first time surfing, it’s better to rent a foam board rather than a fiberglass one, as these boards are softer and less likely to injure you.
Learn the rules of surfing. You need to know some common-sense rules that most surfers will follow. Knowing this will make you safer when surfing and more comfortable for other surfers.
- Don’t “fall” on others. It would be rude and dangerous to follow someone else when they are already on the surf. Remember when you are about to seize the opportunity to hit the wave, look around you to see if others are also ready to hit the wave.
- Respect the rights of others. When more than one surfer is trying to catch the wave, let the person closer to the wave surf first.
- If two people are waiting for the same wave, the person who catches it first and is closer to the wave gets to start surfing first.
Stay on the edge. Once you’ve successfully hit a wave, it’s important to know which direction you’re going so you can paddle back safely. Don’t stay in the middle or surfers from behind will come rushing in. Instead, slide to the sides to make room for the middle position.
Find the place. Find a beginner-friendly area. Once you have established your surfing skills you can go surfing at this place.
- Ask others for their advice. Ask your local surf shop or ask some of the better surfers where beginners can surf. They will be happy to recommend a suitable location for you.
- Online Enquiry. If you don’t get reliable advice, you can search online. You can get useful information on your local surfer forum.
Trainning
Get help. The best way to practice and prepare for surfing is to practice with someone who knows surfing better than you do and can provide feedback and advice.
- Hire a coach. The most reliable way to learn the basics of surfing is to hire a paid instructor. For a fee, they’ll teach you everything you need to know and help you start surfing and having fun in no time.
- Ask a friend. If you have a friend who can surf, you can ask him/her to help you. This has two benefits: first, you don’t have to pay your friends; second, you don’t have to pay your friends. Second, you can practice at home instead of going to a crowded beach. But it may not be as professional as a coach.
Practise. There are a few important moves to practice before you start surfing for real. You can practice anytime, anywhere, as long as you have a surfboard. Remember to have another person with surfing knowledge help you and you will progress faster.
- Fasten your belt. Tie your back foot to the tail of the board.
- Get down on the board. Lie belly down in the middle of the board. Your feet and the end of the board should be some distance apart.
- If you are practicing at the beach, do not get close to the waves, otherwise, you may be swept away by the waves while you practice.
- Slide. Practice gliding with your belly facing down and using your arms. Your muscles will feel as you glide.
- Learn to get up. Going from prone to standing is called a “pop” rise. This is an important part of surfing, but it takes some practice to master.
- Lie on the board and grab the edge of the board near your chest with your hands.
- Move quickly and forcefully, supporting yourself with your arms and keeping one foot in front and one foot behind.
- Depending on which foot you put in front, it is divided into the upright foot and reverse foot. On-foot means your left foot is in front, while on-foot means your right foot is in front.
- It’s easier for beginners to slowly put their feet on the board and then quickly stand up. You can keep doing this until you feel confident.
- Maintain balance. Once you’ve risen, keep your knees bent, arms relaxed and extended, and lean forward to lower your center of gravity.
- You can practice without a surfboard, so you can practice in any small space.
Adapt to water. Before you get ready to go surfing, you need to make sure you’re comfortable in the water. If you feel uncomfortable swimming, don’t go surfing.
- Take some notes. Record water temperature, depth, and current. Pay attention to the location of docks and rocks, as well as other potential hazards.
- Be safe. If there is a lifeguard tower, surf when there is a lifeguard on duty. Take a moment to ask other surfers on the beach and see if they have any advice or warnings.
Chasing Waves
Choose a goal. Don’t choose a spot too far away, there may be better surfers there, but make sure the water is deep enough so you don’t get hurt when you get off your board. Waist-deep is a good choice.
- Remember to be polite. If there are other surfers, rush to either side.
Row to your spot. When you’re ready to hit a wave, walk to about waist or chest depth, then lie down on your board and slide toward the waves.
- When you paddle out, your body should be straight forward. If your glancing angle is hit by a wave, you will be knocked over. If you meet the waves head-on, there won’t be much of a problem.
- Select a reference. Choose a landmark on the shore and look at it from time to time as you dive deeper into the ocean. This will help determine distance and spot undercurrents that might throw you off course.
Turn around. Also, stay on the board when turning and hold firmly to one side of the board. The board will then rotate and point toward the shore.
- Back off. Remember to keep your body straight and control the board as best you can. Your feet should be some distance from the end of the board.
Paddle a wave. The waves will come from behind you. Don’t be scared; turn your head and look at the waves. When you see a wave approaching, start paddling.
- Be quick. You need to catch the wave before it starts so you have time to get up.
- Be patient. If you miss a wave, just paddle back and wait for the next one.
Catch the waves. If you have a good understanding of the speed and movement of the waves, use the techniques you have developed to get up.
- keep it up. You may slip up at first, but don’t be intimidated. Some people can learn it in the afternoon, while others take weeks to get used to it. Keep working hard and you will eventually master this technique.
- Keep your center of gravity as low as possible. You get a better feel for the waves after being able to kneel on the first few attempts.
- Try to keep lowering your center of gravity. If you still have fear or are very frustrated, you can start with your belly first.
Ride the waves. With your feet at the back of the board, knees bent, arms relaxed, you are now on your first wave! Focus and let it take you to the shore.
- Start simple. First, you can row straight ahead. This method may be slower, but it is easier to get started.
- Once you’ve mastered how to surf in a straight line you can switch boards. As you get used to the feel of surfing, you may want to try spinning aboard. Turning the board takes longer and is faster. You may need some practice, but it’s not particularly difficult.
- Choose your surfing direction beforehand. If the waves are low enough, you can start paddling toward them.
- Lean in the direction you want to go. Use your body to gently dip one side of the board into the water flow. This will create a keel and the board will change direction.
- Once you have found the right direction, keep your balance and charge towards the wave.
Be prepared to be washed down by the waves. While being washed down is unpleasant, it is an unavoidable part of the surfing experience. Over time, you’ll get better at avoiding being washed down, but for now, follow these basic steps to keep yourself safe:
- keep Calm. Getting knocked off the waves can be dangerous, but there’s nothing to fear if you stay calm. Thinking calmly and acting decisively can reduce your risk.
- Jump off the surfboard. In this case, it is easy to collide with the surfboard. Remember to jump away from one side.
- Don’t dive. The water can be shallow at times, so prevent accidental head injuries.
- Buttocks in water. The safest situation is to enter the water like a cannonball, that is, enter the water with all fours and buttocks up.
- Let yourself sink. Although the impact of the waves is great, there is no impact underneath the waves. Let your body sink for a second or two until the wave passes.
- Slowly return to the sea. Move upstream slowly to avoid collision with the surfboard.
- Open your eyes, look around, and don’t get hit by the board.
- Get back on your surfboard. Once you are safely out of the water, follow your leg straps and climb to your board without injuring others by letting your board float away. Lie down on the board and rest.
- Once you’re safely back on your board, relax yourself.
Tips
- Practice holding your breath underwater for long periods, taking into account that you’ll be swept down; some waves will keep you underwater longer.
- Follow safety signs and the advice of more experienced surfers.
- Respect local rules and be friendly.
- Observe before getting ready to surf and don’t get into trouble with other surfers.
- Lifting weights and pressing are great ways to build muscle. Most of the movements in surfing require well-developed muscles.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many surfers are more experienced than you are willing to help beginners as long as you are polite.
- If a big wave is about to hit you, don’t be afraid.
- Surfing with friends. It’s safer this way and he can help you if you get washed down by a wave. They can even push you into the waves.
- Don’t feel embarrassed because you have poor skills. You are just a newbie.