Surfing is an excellent way to get in some outdoor exercise while having fun at the same time. This type of activity keeps you fit, while also allowing you to indulge your passion for aquatic life (and maybe even catch a few waves). Surfing is not the easiest thing in the world to learn how to do, but don’t worry – with these tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to becoming a master surfer in no time.
Get In Shape For Surfing
Building up an endurance level is important before you start learning to surf. A good place to begin would be taking aerobic exercise classes or running regularly. You should also stretch regularly, so your body is loose and limber. Surfing is a type of sport, so when you are learning to surf, it is also important to keep your body in good physical condition because of the continuous paddling you’ll be doing. While at it, you should also consider learning how to swim if you do not yet know how to swim.
Get The Right Gear
When learning how to surf, it is important that you take the right gear. This includes a surfboard, rash guard/wetsuit, booties, and sunglasses. It is also possible for you to take a boogie board with you when surfing, but this does not count as an actual surfboard (a surfboard is much longer and has a different shape).
There are online stores where you can take a surfboard and get it delivered to your doorstep, but boards can be rented from various places too. These include local surf shops, as well as outdoor sports stores. Some beaches will also allow you to take out a board for free (just make sure to take special care of it and return it when necessary). You should also consider buying your own board if this is something you plan on doing often.
Practice Popping Up on Your Board
When you are learning how to surf, it is vitally important that you learn to get up on your board. You have to practice popping up until you get good at it. It’s easy to see why this is true because if you can’t do this surfing just isn’t going to be enjoyable for you because half the time your board will be in the water, and you won’t be on it.
If you want to get good at something, then practicing is a must. If you don’t practice, then there’s really no way that you can expect to become an expert or even proficient in something. You may learn bits and pieces here and there, but unless you invest time into practicing how to get up on your board, you are not going to get far. It’s pretty much a guarantee if someone is struggling to get up on their board while surfing, they have never practiced it before or have only done it a few times. Without practice, you will never learn how to get up on your board.
Learn to Paddle Before Learning to Surf
When you are learning how to surf, one of the most important things that you have to do is learn how to Paddle. Before you can get up on a surfboard and take your first ride down the entire length of the wave, it’s very helpful if you are able to get yourself into position right above where the waves are breaking. This is much easier than it sounds, but the skill of paddling has to be learned thoroughly, make sure that you are able to do this successfully before attempting to ride on any waves. Once you have managed this initial step successfully, you will be ready to make your first attempt at learning how to surf.
Learn To Catch A Wave and Ride It In
Once you have managed to get yourself into position and paddle out through the wave, it’s time to start learning how to catch a wave and ride it in. This is one of the trickiest parts of learning how to surf because, while you are paddling out through the waves, there are few that you are riding towards. When one comes, it’s important that you grab it before another does. If you miss out on catching the first wave, there can be a significant wait until another comes along, and you don’t want to get caught in this awkward position with no waves coming for ages.
Learn Right of Way Rules
When you are learning how to surf, you will need to learn the proper right of way rules. The rule is very similar in all surfing fields since it involves knowing which surfer is supposed to have access to the wave first. As a beginner, you need to know the basic’s behind the right of way rule, so you do not hold up the other surfers in line.
A surfer who is closest to the breaking part of the wave has right of way, meaning they are able to complete their ride without interruption. If you are too deep or too far away from this wave, then it’s your turn to let this person catch the wave, and you can take your turn after they have exited the wave and returned to the line up.
If two surfers are going for the same wave, then the surfer who is closest to that particular wave has the right of way. Let them catch their ride without taking it from them or cutting it in front of them. If you are up at the line up and there is a surfer riding, do not catch the wave that they are going for or attempt to take it from them by going into their path. This is very frowned upon and will most likely result in someone getting injured.
Learn to Generate Speed
Learning how to surf can be a lot of fun, but it is also fairly frustrating. Of course, every surfer has their own unique way of doing things and surfing styles vary from person to person, so there really isn’t anyone right answer when it comes to learning how to surf.
One of the most important things when you are learning how to surf is learning how to generate speed in order to catch waves. Some beginner surfers assume they just need to find a nice, slow-moving wave that is convenient for them to catch, but it takes more than that. There are certain surfing skills you need to know how to do in order to generate speed when you are learning how to surf.
