LEARN TO SURF TIPS BY AN OLD SEA DOG….

Well really, it is rather simple don’t you agree?  I mean, it certainly looks like that. Just walk out into the surf, turn the surf board around, catch a wave and stand up. If only life was that damn easy!

Here are some cool steps to help you master the waves.  Well, we reckon they will help you out anyway – but no guarantees!  Learning to surf can be a slow and very painful (plus emotional) process - just to get to grips with the basics. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. The journey of learning to surf is a fun one that only gets better the more you do it.

The following 10 steps are to be used as a guide only.

Step one

Select a safe beach that is well lifeguarded and a day of small surf - so its best often in the summer months as this is generally the rule worldwide. Make sure the equipment you use is safe – a soft board. Take advice from a lifeguard on the beach as to where you should enter the water for the first time to play carefully in the surf.

Step two

Take 30 minutes (and we mean 30 minutes not 3) to take a look at what is happening in the water. Take note of what the tide is doing, where the rocks are, whether there are rips and pick the spot with the best waves for you.  Remember, we suggest that you start in waves 1 to 3 ft only – 2ft is ideal for your first taster.

Step three

Walk to the waters edge. Slip your leash on around your back ankle. Make your way into the ocean, keeping the surfboard by your side pointing straight out to sea. Be very careful you do not trip over the leash. Look out for any sea creatures that play in the shallows such as stingrays etc… so shuffle your feet as much as possible initially in the knee high water as you make your way out!

Step four

Once you reach waist deep, turn the board around and point the board back towards the beach. Keep an eye on the incoming waves at all times, you MUST never turn your back on the sea for more than 1 second… it’s a living, breathing animal - respect it always. If a wave comes you wish not to take lift the back of the board up and over.

Step five

As a new surfer, you will want to catch a broken wave or white water if you have gone out in larger than 3ft surf. At waist deep, this will normally be the only wave available. If you have taken our advice, you may well be able to catch an unbroken wave that is about to break (this will speed your learning up and is a tried and tested method we have used to teach many).  You want to pick your waves based on size and distance from you. The more distance you put between you and the wave the more time you will have for the next step, getting ready.

Step six

This step takes practice but it’s important to get it right.  Don’t panic ever, just enjoy the fun and frustration of getting it wrong. Pull yourself onto the board making sure the board is flat on the water. Too far forward will result in a nose dive called pearling (something we are famed for ourselves on occasions when we long board some killer waves!!!  – Just thought we would as that useless point).  If you’re too far back, you’ll be pushing water when you paddle.  Put your knees apart and keep your head up.  Don’t wrestle the surfboard, lay into it.

Step seven

You need to get the board moving forward with nice strokes with your arms long before the wave meets you. The more stronger paddles you put in, the more chance you have of tapping into the wave. Keep your body still and don’t kick your feet. Your paddle strokes should be long and effective.

Step eight

After a while the wave will catch up with you. When this happens do two more paddles so you drop down the face of the wave. Use your head to help you – head down for more speed and head up to stop a potential nosedive. As the wave approaches we are going to tell you a very sneaky secret - arch your back up gradually and paddle at the final stage, by doing this it creates more drag and lets your board just slip into the surfing motion…. Up, up and away you go!

Step nine

Once you catch the wave and you’re racing towards the beach, it’s time for the hard part – standing up. Pushing down as if you were doing a “half” push up and bring your legs underneath yourself while twisting your pelvis. This will help you slide your front foot forward, rather than trying to “step through”, the board will want to go left or right under your arms if your arms do not lock strong and tight (so be sure you have the strength for this part).

Step ten

Keep a low centre of gravity, knees bent, backhand in front, eyes fixed on where you want to go. Relax and keep the board flat in the water. Once the wave dies out, hop off and pat yourself on the back. Easy and remember we taught you! (we are laughing now….!)