Surfing Guide

When you start out as a surfer, it is likely that you will get frustrated, or irritated as it does not always go perfectly to plan while you learn. But, remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so you won’t become a pro surfer in a day either. Surfing becomes more fun as you progress.

Of course, there are many ways that you can build up your skills as you learn to surf, avoiding the drag of time that it usually takes. Understanding and utilising surfing knowledge can get you ahead of the game, and that is what I will try to do here.

The Learning Curve

Let’s start with one of the basics. Before you start surfing, be aware, this is one of the most difficult and complex sports in the world. No one wave is the same, and so your playground is totally changing.

If we were to compare this sport to another, the closest would be equine sports, because you are working with a living and changeable environment, a horse can change its mood and suddenly start bucking, much like how the ocean could be calm one day and aggressive and choppy the next. The bottom line- This sport is alive and temperamental!

This is a sport that works with a wild and living entity, you cannot train the ocean, you cannot anticipate its behaviors, even if you keep a close eye on the forecast and the tides. It is changeable, and elements such as wind, tides, and swells will affect the waves you surf every single day.

It is challenging, and enjoyable of course, but remember it won’t be easy to learn, and you will have to be adaptable to the ocean’s behaviors.

Once you do catch your first ‘green wave’ that it is, you will be hooked. Knowing the learning curve can help you to prepare your attitude and expectations towards surfing.

It is unlike other boarded sports such as snowboarding, as there will be no moment on your third day when you think ’I got this!’ and then rarely fall off again. When you are surfing, you will wipe-out for years, it’s just part of the sport.

The Importance Of The Surfboard

Every sport requires the correct equipment to perform well. However, surfing is a bit different. Surfing well with the right equipment can make the difference between surfing 20 waves, or 0 waves.

Having the right surfboard will totally change the experience for you. It is not about having the ‘best’ or most up-to-date model, it is simply about having the right volume and rocker.

The volume is the measurement of how much flotation the board has. It is a function of the length, width, and the thickness.

Simply, when you start surfing, you want plenty of volume. This means you should choose either a longboard or a foam board, boards which are wide, thick, long, and have a flat rocker.

These are ideal for starters, obviously as you gain experience you will move on from this type, but for now you want something like this that will properly support you in your learning.

Choosing The Adequate Surf Spot

It’s not all just about what you surf on, it’s also about where you surf too. This is absolutely pivotal. Where you choose to surf can be the difference between having the best time of your life, or the worst time of your life.

Many surfers might tell you that you should start on a beach break, as it is safer. And this is true, but only to an extent. It is better to fall onto sand than rocks, or onto a coral reef.

However, there are some sandy beach breaks for advanced surfers and some rocky point breaks for beginners.

Just to add to the confusion, some spots can be great to learn some days, but other days they may only be hospitable for the pros. It is all down to the conditions on those days.

To discover if a site is good for your level of experience, you should look up the information on that spot, as well as daily wave conditions. Some surf websites and forums are loaded with information on different surf spots.

Always do plenty of research and check out sites that offer this type of information, helping you know what board type is needed, surf level, tide, swell, and bottom.

 Have Someone To Show You The Best Technique

Surfing is one of the most complicated and technical sports in existence. Imagine learning the wrong techniques and then having to unlearn these bad habits before you can continue to progress.

In some ways, learning to surf can be as hard as learning a complex instrument, you best had learned it right from the start, or it will take so much longer to learn.

Many inland surfers will back this up, after having dedicated their life to the surf too late. Still today, coaches in surfing often make us realize we learn particular things the wrong way, and it can be very hard to change old habits.

If you really want to surf, learn it the right way. Get an experienced form or a surf coach to show you the basics at the beginning, you’ll be grateful for it later on.

 Study And Understand Surf Ethics

Finally, I want to remind you that there are many rules to go by in surfing. It is not all just free-birding, and you need to be aware of the rules. Some of these would be things such as; do not paddle inside, do not drop in, don’t snake, do not ditch your surfboard, etc.

It might sound like utter gibberish as you are starting, but it is very important that you stick to the rules as you learn.

Remember that not only are there rules for safety, but also for the environment. Oceans are the biggest ecosystem on our planet, and humans have already tainted them enough.

Surfing can be a damage-free way to enjoy the natural waters of our world, just make sure you give them the respect they deserve and be environmentally friendly on the waters.