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Wipe-outs are part of the deal when learning to surf. Photo: Chill In Ericeira / E. Dibiasi
- Try not to learn by yourself: Let’s be honest, didn’t you go to school when you were little? Who taught you to speak and walk? Well this is the same. Of course there are many people capable of imitating others and with effort and sweat you might learn plenty of tricks but will your technics be perfect? The best way is to attend some Surfing School Lessons. It’s a good chance to learn the basics and improve your manouvers in the right way.
- Start with a Big Surfboard: I know you will look weird and I know you will want to show your recently acquired short surfboard, but if you are learning, a big surfboard will have a bigger surface to stand up and it will float better. You might also want to have a siesta on top of it when you get tired in the water 😉
- Use a surf leash: It will get in your way a few times but it’s absolutely necessary at the beginning. To be honest, I don’t know why you’d like to take it off when even the top surfers use it for commodity reasons.
- Warm Up first: You are not the 16 year old kid you used to be and you are not able to do the things you used to without warming up. Try some fast and easy work-outs before getting into the water. Warm up all your body but especially your back, shoulders and legs.
- Go to a Beginner’s beach: It’s much better to start with steady and safe waves at the beginning. Try a beach like Martiánez in Tenerife to learn to stand up with ease and no risk at all. If you go to medium-top beaches at the beginning you might break your board or yourself.
- Study the waves: Don’t just put your wetsuit, grab your board and go in the water. Study the waves first, wait for the biggest waves to appear, check them out to see if you are ready for them and try to learn from the surfers that are already inside.
- Avoid the Big Dogs: If you are not agile in the water, if you can’t avoid impacts or dribble other surfers coming towards you, stay away from them, don’t take the piss or you will get into trouble.
- Avoid other surfers by going to the opposite direction: If a surfer comes towards you while surfing a wave and you see that it is a right wave, well then just paddle to the left, where he can’t get you, move to where he isn’t going to go and look at him to the eyes so that he knows what you are doing and your intentions. You can even give him/her a signal to where you are moving for him/her to avoid you.
- Don’t bend your back: It’s a horrible thing to see on a surfer and it is a clear sign that you don’t know what you are doing. Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Choose a surfer style and practice it.
- Listen to your body and heart: If you feel tired, really really tired, get out the water. You have plenty of time to come back in again. Be honest to yourself, you are starting, don’t pretend to be a pro from the beginning even if you are the best in other/similar sports like skate, snowboard. This is Surfing and it involves water. You don’t want to get drowned. If you want more tips for beginners, take a look at these 25 tips for you.
