Holiday

When learning to surf, you will need to practice a few basic steps to help get you on your feet.

1: Start with the right surfboard

2: Next you will have develop your paddling skills

3: Learn the art of getting out through the breakers, by duck diving or rolling

4: Next learning how to catch a wave

5: Last of all, you can now learn how to pop up or stand on your board

Lets first cover choosing the right board. To choose the right board, you might be thinking of what looks the coolest, or what the pros are riding. But believe me you won’t look very cool trying to stand up on a 6ft thruster if you haven’t mastered the basics.

You can get yourself a brand new surfboard after you got your balance on a big old board. So the first thing to look for is size, you want something with plenty of flotation. If the board is to small it will also sink and create more drag when paddling, the bigger the board, the more flotation you will have, and the bigger you are, the more flotation you will need.

You will be able to ride a small board sooner, if you start on a big board first. So if you plan to get into short boards look for something around 6ft 10inches up to 8ft long, but if you are looking at getting into long boarding try a Malibu of 10 or 12ft, make sure you can carry it.

The larger the board is, the harder it will be to turn, maneuver, and get out past the breakers. So your first board should not necessarily be over sized, or cost a fortune. Get a cheap 7ft or 8ft board that has a few dings, this will just be to learn on, and once you’ve mastered the basics you can trade it in. When choosing your first board, dings don’t mater, however you don’t want the foam showing. If the fiberglass is peeling off, water will get into the foam, and weigh the board down. So don’t choose anything too fancy, but make sure its going to float, and can be paddled easily.

The biggest factor in choosing the right board is size, shape and number of fins do not matter at all. These things affect people who will be turning the board more, and you just want to stand up and get your balance, so take no notice of them. Just make sure your surfboard is at least 2 to 3 inches in thickness, and anywhere from 20 inches in width.

Next make sure you get a good leg rope. You have to have a leg rope, it will save your life. Stay away from big surf until you get used to your board, and have some experience. The leg rope can fling the board back at you in big swells, but you really should not be out there when starting out anyway.

Don’t even try risking it with no leg rope, or an old one that could snap. You might try to grab your board whenever you fall off, but it will get away from you. Then you have to try and swim in with the waves crashing on you, it takes a lot more energy swimming in the ocean then in a pool.

Even the strongest of swimmers, will use up a lot of energy and time, trying to reach their board. The surfboard will be light enough for the waves to pick it up and move it away, however you will have to much drag in the water. Besides the obvious danger, of the sweep taking you into a rip, the hassle of swimming into shore will ruin any session, trust me you don’t want to be stuck without a surfboard.

When choosing a leg rope, get something reliable and strong. Unlike your first board you want quality, this is your life saver. You can keep this, and transfer it to your new board once you get it, so don’t worry about it being wasted on an old board. Also don’t get something to long, the longer the rope the more tension it can build up to spring the board back at you with force. Stay under 8ft.

Once you have your big old board, your ready to practice. Read my other articles on how to surf, for the next steps involved. Then grab a mate and head out, its always wise to go with someone else in case you get into trouble.

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