Beginning Surfing? Ways to help
Surfing is a fun and popular sport around the world. Unfortunately a lot of folks are too intimidated to even search out a school or instructor to even start this fantastic sport. Here's some tips that will help you get over that and get out there on the waves!
Choose a spot appropriate to your skill level. The place where you start surfing will influence your experience and learning curve. When you are first learning to surf, your main goal is to catch a wave and stand up on the board. You don't need a perfect wave to do that. In fact, a beach where the waves just close out (break all at once), when the waves are small, offers a great opportunity to practice catching and standing up. Since the waves are closing out, there won't be any other people surfing (unless there is another beginner, so keep your distance). After catching the wave, ride on your belly until it breaks, then, while you are riding the white water toward the beach, just stand up and try to balance. Once you've got the hang of that, you are reading to ride a wave that has a peeling break. The greater speed associated with a peeling wave will then allow you to learn to turn the board.
1. Avoid crowds. You need some experience before you can successfully catch waves without getting in the way of others.
2. Avoid rocky spots. When you're learning you might not have sufficient control to navigate around them, and getting smashed up against a rock is bad for you and your board.
3. Avoid big waves. Knee- to waist-high surf is right for beginners.
4. Slow, mushy surf at point breaks with sandy bottoms and small crowds are the best places to learn.
Once you get a feel for the basics of catching and riding waves, continue your learning at a "beach break" - a long straight beach with lots of different wave peaks, a sandy bottom and plenty of room.
Ask friends who surf to steer you to the best places in your area to learn.
Understand the surfing right-of-way before you get in the water. Beginners that get in the way of experienced surfers ruin the fun for both.
Surfing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death.
We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.
