Salomé Abeger

So, How Do You Start Surfing?

Before we dive into how do you start surfing, it is nice to understand and educate yourself on how this sport started. Surfing, known as heʻe ʻana (heʻe means to surf, and ʻana is the nominalizing particle) in the Hawaiian language and first discovered during the first voyage of James Cook while the ship stayed in Tahiti. Surfing was a central part of the ancient Polynesian culture and predates European contact. It is possible that Polynesian settlers in Hawaii most likely were skilled in simple surfing, and after a several hundred years of surfing the waves of Hawaii, the Hawaiian form of the sport developed. Surfing is one of the oldest practiced sports in the world.

Many people wondering how do you start surfing are usually interested in what skills are needed as well as equipment. But you can start surfing with a longboard for beginners, a leash, fins and a nice coat of wax on your surfboard. Flexibility, strength, balance, endurance, and commitment will also help you start surfing.

What Skills Do You Need For Surfing?

It is known that there are a few surf skills that are needed for you to enjoy the sport of surfing. Below we will point out how do you start surfing with these skills needed.

Balance

Balance is one of the most important skills in surfing. You not only are standing up on a small surfboard while at the same time you are going through the ocean on waves that keep changing shape and water texture depending on wind and currents.

Flexibility

Being flexible is as important as balancing for surfing. It takes flexibility to surf well. You need to be able to go from a prone position while paddling to an upright position on a moving board absorbing the shock of the waves on the surfboard. Also, flexibility can prevent injuries when you fall on a big wave and the white water throws your body around like a rag doll.

Strength

Those who surf need to have a lot of upper body strength core and lower body strength. This means arms that are strong, as well as strong legs. Training the chest, shoulders, triceps, back, Abs and Legs will greatly improve your time in the water as you can surf longer due to increased endurance levels. A strong and healthy body will help you in recovering due to any surf injuries.

Endurance

To paddle constantly through big waves, whitewater and strong currents will take a lot of endurance. Beginning surfers need to be willing to push themselves through muscle fatigue and exhaustion if you want to keep surfing and progress to bigger and faster waves. Determination and endurance go together and are key skills in becoming a great surfer.

This is much more vital to paddling than to surfing. A wave that is standard only lasts a few seconds, so it really does not take much energy as you take off at an angle that is along the face of the wave and kicking out. But, to paddle continually through whitewater with heavy lips and whirling currents does take a lot of endurance. That is when trying to catch more waves will be difficult, because you will be tired from fighting the white water to reach the lineup. If you are passionate about surfing, you more than likely will train to get all the endurance you need and you will progress rather quickly.

Determination

Getting pounded wave after wave can certainly test your motivation when you start to surf. If you do not have the determination to keep with it, then surfing can be an experience that is frustrating. It is a tough sport, so do not get discouraged especially in the first few months of practicing. Surf can definitely be picked up faster by those that have skateboarded, snowboarded and wake surfing. But, with practice as well as determination ultimately you will start seeing improvement and the rewards can be huge and fun.

If you have balance, flexibility as well as endurance in addition to a real passion for surfing; you will more than likely progress quickly. Those qualities will ensure you will not only perform on the waves, but you will be able to stay safe in situations where it would be easy to wipe out.

What extra skills do you need to be able to surf?

There are loads of exercises that will help you strengthen your surfing muscles, especially your shoulders, but just keep it simple. These are three ways that will keep you in the best surfing shape even when the waves are flat:

• Swimming
• Elbows in Push-ups
• Jumping rope

Swimming and push-ups will keep the shoulders, back and core strength. If these muscles are not worked frequently, your first surf session will suffer due to lack of strength and endurance. They will also be good for exercising your arms and legs. Push-ups are good for your arms which will help you with your pop up when you first stand up on the surfboard.

Jumping ropes is the perfect exercise for leg flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination which are all essential in surfing. Do these exercises regularly when the waves are flat and alternate an hour in the gym as well as some skateboarding, and you are good to go on your next session.

Surfing needs and supplies

Here are some things that a surfer needs to take up the sport of surfing. This also depends if you are in a warm water or colder water location.

Wetsuit

If you are planning to surf especially during the winter or in some areas in the summer, then a wetsuit is going to be necessary to keep from losing any sense of feeling in your arms and legs. Go to your local surf shop sports retailer and have the staff fit you up with the right size of wetsuit which is crucial to its purpose. If you know what size and make you want, then use one of the online stores to get yourself fixed up and pick up on some hot deals.

Leash

A leg rope or leash is just a long lead that is attached from an ankle to the back of your board to stop you from being separated from your board. Leashes will always be placed on your back foot. They are about the length of a board so when your wipe-out, the board will be out of the way before you surface, but close enough so you can hop back on quickly before the next wave comes crashing down on you.

Wax

An essential piece of equipment that is needed to help you stick to the top of your surfboard is your bar of wax. You can pick up many different brands and types of wax online or at your local surf shop. They come in numerous colors, shapes, and flavors dependent on the temperature of the water you will be surfing in. If you are going to surf in the United Kingdom, then look for cold-water and cool water wax as this will provide more traction. If you live in Florida for example, then you will need a tropical warm water wax. You need to rub the bar on the board’s topside, as this will improve your grip. For Beginners – it is not true that rubbing wax on the board’s underside will make it faster. You only rub it on the top side of your board.

Surfboards

There are many different types of surfboards to pick from when you are an experienced surfer. But as a new surfer, only two of them are appropriate for the beginner. Soft tops made out of foam which is the most forgiving, to begin with, and can be rented at most surfing beaches. While they are the boards that are best for starting they also have limits because of their basic design. You can also start with a longboard made out of polyurethane or polystyrene foam covered with layers of fiberglass cloth, and polyester or epoxy resin. These are much faster boards and a lot less forgiving if the board hits you when you fall of a wave. 

Understanding Different Types of Surfing Waves

Reforms: With reform waves, the waves start off normal and as the ocean floor gets deeper the wave dies off, and once the wave hits a shallower reef or sandbar it “reforms” or breaks again.

Closeouts: Waves that break all at once not giving you the chance to ride the wave to the left or to the right.

Tubing or Barrelling: These waves are the types of waves that most experience surfers look for as the swell comes in through deep water and hits a shallow sandbar or reef causing the wave to form a tube. These are not the waves a beginner should start surfing on. If those are the only types of waves you have at your local beach, make sure that you start off on the white water.

Mushy or Crumbly: These waves are not steep and are perfect for beginners as it breaks gently in a non-steep way.

Double-ups: This happens when the crest and troughs align and can make a much bigger and powerful wave.

Surf Etiquette

It is vital to use the right etiquette when surfing, or else things can just fall into complete chaos. The majority of the do and don’ts are described in detail in this surf etiquette post, so this is just a few things to remember. There are some rules that are unwritten, stay out of trouble, and enjoy surfing.

Right of way

Learn the surfer with the right of way on the wave. Take a minute and learn “wave priority”.

• Further out: Surfer further out or has been waiting for the longest;
• Furthest inside: The surfer who is nearest to the wave peak or the wave that is breaking;
• The first surfer to feet: The surfer first to get up is the first on the wave;
• Announcement: Calling of “Right” or “Left” if the wave is one with a “split-peak”.

Don’t drop in

Cutting in the front of any other surfer who is already up and surfing the wave is a fast way of getting the locals upset with you. Observing the “right of way” will keep you out of trouble.

Don’t snake

Paddling repeatedly around another surfer to get into the position that is inside on any wave is just not right. Where would everyone end up if everyone did this?

Share the waves

Share – even when you can paddle furthest outside and are able to catch the waves first each time you are in the line-up, do not do it. People quickly become aggravated with surfers who show this type of conduct and will start dropping in at any opportunity. Again, things can escalate into a chaotic situation.

This is all some beginner’s information on how do you start surfing for those that are just taking up this sport. If you follow this, you will be in good hands from the start.

Basic Rules Of Surfing and Best Surf Tips For All

Just like any other sports have rules that everybody should follow while learning, and continue to follow even as an intermediate or advanced surfer we bring you the Basic Rules of Surfing and Best Surf Tips to better prepare you. Everybody started the same way and everyone was not a pro surfer from the first time they started. It is impossible to just be good; you have to go through the process of learning slowly and improving over time. Yes, some are more athletic than others.

As you learn these basic rules of surfing and surf tips you should follow them every day you plan on paddling out. In a quick run through you will need to focus on the priority of the surfer paddling for the wave, holding down your board, duck diving, turtle diving, the rips, controlled beaches, staying in your comfort zone, great conditions, lots of sunscreen, no alcohol, being aware, eating some food, be respectful, courteous, surf with a buddy, always warm up before surfing, being safe, and most important….having fun! There is also a surfing etiquette which covers the right of way, how to paddle out to the lineup, and how to stay safe at all times.

Basic rules of surfing and best surf tips break down

Let’s go over the rules of surfing one by one so you can have a better understanding of each one individually and you will see that it is not that hard to follow and make surfing a lot more fun. When everyone in the lineup, follow these rules so it can make all surfers safe and a more fun and welcoming environment for everyone.

How Are The Surf conditions?

Making sure the surf is safe at the beach you want to go out is the best way to have a fun surf session. When surfing an unfamiliar spot, make sure to get some advice from the locals and maybe even following them to the lineup is a good idea. When learning how to surf, look around at where the surfers are and where the surfers around the same level as you are placed. Is it raining, Lightning, or Thundering? It might not be a good idea to surf in those conditions, the risks of you getting struck by lightning in the ocean is very high. There will not be any good visibility, and big fish such as sharks can use that to their advantage since they have an acute sense of smell and a very sensitive olfactory system.

Another thing is to avoid surfing at dawn and dusk especially when nobody else is surfing. Lastly, make sure the waves aren’t too big for you, and you will be able to handle it. The waves always look smaller when you are standing on the sand looking at them versus on the line up with the other surfers.

Rips Currents

Rips are dangerous currents that suck out everything from shore and close to shore into the deep ocean and far away from land. A rip can be recognized with sand washing up to the surface, where the waves are not breaking and will have a channel that I’ll go far away from the shore and waves. If ever stuck in a rip, remember not to panic and staying on top of your board (this is your floatation device, do not let it go).

Never swim or paddle against the current, always paddle to any side until you are out and where the waves are breaking better. A lot of surfers also use rips to their advantage to paddle out to the lineup, it makes it easy since the current is taking them out and the waves are not breaking. Once in the lineup, they paddle to any side to get out of the rip and be in a safe zone. As long as you understand how rips work, there is no need for concern.

Currents and Drifts

Be aware of the currents and drifts. To determine that look in which directions the water is going. Is it going towards the south or the north? If it goes south, paddle out a little bit more north so you can have a longer session all the way down. Vise verse if the drift is going north, start south. Currents will take everything along the way and you will go with it if stuck in one. Just like rips, if stuck in one paddle to the sides of it.

Sunscreen

Always wear sunscreen when surfing. Even if the weather doesn’t look the best, trust me you will get burnt even on overcast days! Most surfers use a type of zinc sunscreen on their face so that it doesn’t run in their eyes. Also if you are not wearing a wetsuit, it is a good idea to wear a UV-proof rash guard for your protection of UV light rays.

For those who have been surfing for a while now, they are aware of how strong the sun can be with the reflection of UV light hitting the water. Make sure that you do not add too much to your belly as this will make the board very slippery and hard to stay up. It will be like playing in a bounce house with baby oil!

Guarded Beaches and Areas

If you are surfing at a guarded beach where lifeguards are present, make sure you know where the surfing area is and where it ends as well. In Australia, never surf in between the red and yellow flags; it’s a swimming area. In America, look for the yellow flags with a black ball in the middle (black ball flag), when these are up you are not allowed to surf in between them for a certain period of time.

For more information on where to surf exactly, ask a lifeguard on the beach and they will let you know where you can and cannot surf. Take note of where you are allowed to surf and make sure to stick to it when you are out in the water. And if you get out of the area set, go in and walk over to where you started.

Crush Some Food

Just like any other physical activity, especially like surfing; do not paddle out for at least 45 minutes after you have eaten. It will make it very easy for you to get a cramp and impact the ability of you surfing that day. Remember if you crush too much food, you will be laying on your belly for a long time and that is very uncomfortable.

No Booze

Surfing under the influence is not the best idea. Surfing after drinking can also increase the chances of risks when surfing, such as drowning, losing consciousness, and so on. Save it for after your surf session and then you can tell how many barrels you got that day and not how many times you hurled on your surfboard.

Bring A Friend Surfing

Just like diving, you do not want to go surfing by yourself, always have a buddy with you. Not only will it be a lot more fun to share waves with a friend but there will also be somebody there in case of an emergency and they will be able to help you out.

Get Your Surf Fitness On

Make sure that you are physically fit to surf and that you work on surf specific workouts. On flat days you can go to the swimming pool and do some laps. You must be able to swim to shore if you lose your board after an exhausting session where the waves are overhead. If you also have a longboard, on flat days you can work on in and out paddles for about 100 yards out from shore and back.

Always Warm-Up

Before going out into the water, you should do a quick warm up and stretches to get you ready. This will reduce the chances of you getting a cramp and potentially pulling a muscle while surfing. It will also give you more time to analyze the rips, conditions and where the best spot to paddle out are.

Stay In Your Comfort Zone

Always remember to surf in waves that you are comfortable with. Don’t try to impress your friends or the local girl at the beach. Don’t let it be too much and then panic and put yourself and others in danger. When you are in doubt, then stay out!

 

Be Aware Of Your Surrounding

Be aware of the surfers around where you are surfing, and potential hazards in the water. While learning how to surf, it is easy to drift to areas that you did not paddle out for and not made for your abilities. Look back at the beach often to see how far you are from where you paddled out and if it’s out of the area you had set for yourself to be, make sure to paddle back to where you initially planned on surfing. If you have a hard time paddling back, go in and walk back. Remember to be aware of the other surfers surfing as well; being friendly to everybody will help too.

Priority On A Wave

Always make sure you are not stealing somebody wave. Priority simply means who caught the wave first or who is the in the best position to catch the wave. Somebody will have priority when they are closest to the breaking wave (whitewater). In the image above, as you are looking at it, the surfers to our left has priority.

Another way would be that if you see somebody on the wave already, they have priority and you will have to wait for the next one. Somebody that does not follow this simple rule will be in great chances of getting hurt and will be in trouble with the person who had priority. No one likes to be cut odd in surfing, so please pay attention.

Holding or Throwing Your Surfboard?

It is very important to be able to recognize when to hold on to your surfboard or when to let go of it. If you are paddling out, you should hold on to your surfboard despite the temptation of ditching it and diving under the wave. By keeping your board and holding on to it, you will be able to get out in the lineup faster and will not put anyone at risk paddling behind you. If you are about to fall, or a surfer call wipeout; ditch your board and jump in the water. You are way more likely to get an injury if you are on your board.

Now that you know the Basic Rules of Surfing and Best Surf Tips and what to look for; you are ready to go out and have an awesome session! Just remember one special tip… safety first.