What do you think are the ten most important things a beginner surfer should know?
Nr 1: Patience
Nr 2: It´a learning process.
Nr 3: Learn by the faults you have made
cheers clemens
Hi Cheyne,
most important…get the right tool (board) for the job. Too often beginners will buy a hi-performance shorty (just to look cool)to start off with and it takes them 3X as long to learn the basics.
Practice
Fitness
Fun
Read a book
I think a beginnig surfer should know:
The rules of surfing. So he can act without being a danger to others an himself
Paddling and the right position on the board
How to catch whitewater
How to paddle out without getting washed in the next second
How to stand up
How to Angel the wave
How to Bottom Turn
How to generate Speed
there’s some really great info for beginners on Surfline.com, including an article on etiquette titled “The Bill of Rights and Lefts”, and also a beginner’s instructional guide. it’s definitely worth a look.
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What do you think are the ten most important things a beginner surfer should know?
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No Checks, Pay Cash!
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No Refunds.
Never, ever, drop in on middle aged surfers. Ever. Mike
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Respect for the ocean’s unforgiving power.
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Understand and respect the Aloha spirit.
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Know that it is a gift to be able to surf.
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Know how to swim.
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Know how to body surf.
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Know what a rip current is and how to recognize it.
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Know how to paddle a surfboard and get it to trim.
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Know how to manage the board in oncoming surf.
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Know to how and when to look out for and avoid other surfers.
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Know how to judge a breaking wave in order to set up for a take off and finally how to stand up. Item ten could be broken down into a list of 35 more steps all of which happen in a little over a second. The rest is pure joy.
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When you get held under, although it seems like you’re holding your breathe for 5 minutes, it’s only about 5 seconds.
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Wave savvy.
Howdy Ho Cheyne… someone wrote a book on this subject called Wetiquette…check it out…
[URL=WEtiquette.com is for sale | HugeDomains]
The best places to learn how to surf(pointbreaks) are ultimately the worst places to learn. Stay in beachbreak where they can do the least amount of damage.
A number of months on a boogie board is the way to start. When transitioning to a to a traditional surfboard, spend the first 4 or 5 times paddeling. Wave judgment and paddeling stength are crucial.
Roger
Remeber we were all white belts once.
Hang onto your board
Hang onto your board
Look both ways when taking off
Respect other surfers
Hang onto your board
However you’re never too old to stop learning. Case in point a lesson I remember everytime I surf at Pleasure Point: You can’t give someone a wave as their not yours to give. That is unless you “live here” then all the waves belong to you.
I do agree with Roger that a boggie board is a great place to start as it will really begin to develop your wave judgement.
Other than that it’s position and the natural ability to become.
What the heck. I’ll bite on this one:
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Be fit.
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Get the right board (as mentioned by others). An 8,6 that’s fairly thick, fairly wide, super flat, with a wide nose is great. I don’t believe a softboard is necessary, but they are safer.
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Paddle for a couple days in a very calm place (not a pool, not enough room). For example, go out on a small day, far beyond the break and paddle, sit, stand, etc. Get a feel for the board and the balance you will need. If you are horrible at paddling, don’t bother trying to catch waves (unless you are in waist deep water pushing off the sand and catching whitewater.
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Paddle with your weight forward, and to keep the nose from digging, arch your back. Too many surfers are too far back, and it slows them.
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Wave to the pretty girls, and if you ARE a pretty girl, wave to me.
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When learning to ride waves, find a place known to reform. It makes a huge difference. Waikiki is the best, of course, but if you can’t go there, go to San Onofre. You can catch a broken wave, get up, keep your balance, and then the wave will reform into an unbroken wave and you can really learn to angle (turn).
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Stay OUT OF THE WAY of better surfers. Sometimes it’s hard to get really good waves no matter how good a surfer you are, and chances are that when you get in the way it will be on the wave of the day. Surfer, not the paddler, has the right of way.
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Do the stingray shuffle.
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Do the Curley Shuffle.
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Do the Harlem Shuffle.
Thats all there is to it.
I think you would have more idea than most of us so how about I throw it back. What do you think are the 10 most important lessons surfers (not just beginners) should know?
heres my top 10
safety…keep well to the side and never behind anybody while surfing
controling the board carrying it out in the white water,various techniques.so you d
safe conditions white water or small cumbling waves
practice first waves on your stomach just jumping with the wave and controlling the board
then learn to paddle which has lots in it eg. positioning getting out without getting washed back
catching waves, reading waves and rips.
know where to go out and where to come in before you hit the surf
have line ups.
Standing techniques,turning creating speed
the rules,
how negotiate getting out without getting in the way or run over…is that 10 or twenty…there some great answers and if elaborate more on these points im sure it will help my research as some points you guys have written will help especially the one about waving to the girls and hope they wave back…thats hi on the list
Respect for others and not bringing surfing/surfers into disrepute.
Very important even before you learn water techniques.
Hicksy
my advice is dont surf. its not fun at all…dont waste your time…HA just kidding
The number one thing in surfing, whether you are shaping, riding, or whatever -
STAY HUMBLE.
Just remember, you are never better than anyone else - it’s all about fun. No matter how smart you are, old you are, skilled you are - you can ALWAYS learn.
When you are carving waves and see a person paddling wobbly on a BIC and can barely stay on the board, offer some advice and help them out. That was you at one time. Just remember that being friendly, keeping a good opinion of yourself and others, remembering that we’re all here for the ssame thing (fun), and that surfing isnt about how good you are or how good you look.
If you remember all these things and just have fun, you wont be like those jaded guys who complain loudly during every session about the “kooks” and number of people out there. Enjoy surfing, live it and love it, and make sure that you dont get jaded.
Stay humble, have fun, be patient, dont get discouraged, and respect others - whether they’re a guy who you’ve seen ripping and dominating the break, or whether they’re a guy on a soft top board riding wash and falling all over the place.
The Shelter quote says it all.
Aloha
Bryan
Do any of you surf with someone who is not a very good swimmer?
Wear your leash. Pick the right board (as mentioned) and try to surf with someone who is experienced. Wave knowledge is very important and takes a while to gain - the more you surf, the more you’ll learn. DO NOT PANIC; panicking only makes things worse. Don’t shoulder hop; when learning, skip the point breaks and reef breaks and stay on a good little beach break. And for all that is good and holy, do not wax the bottom of your board - this is not snow skiing. Oh and above all else: LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS - trash belongs in trash cans and dumpsters.
Have fun and soak it up.