23:01
Faizan
Learning surfing can be an exhilarating experience as you fly over the surface of waves in a standing position for the first time. While you can take surfing lessons at many beaches, you can also teach yourself surfing. Once you've chosen a suitable beginner board and waxed it for traction, grab a surfing partner, attach your surf leash to your ankle and head out into the surf.
A Dry Run
Practice getting up on your board while you're still on the beach to get a feel for getting up and assuming the proper stance. Begin with standing on the board, getting a feel for whether you feel more natural with your left foot or right foot forward. You can also have a friend push you lightly from behind. The foot that naturally goes out to steady you will be the foot you'll lead with. Lay on your belly on the board and practice the "pop-up" -- getting from your stomach into a crouching position on the board.
Prepare to Surf
For your first in-water surfing lesson, you'll want to choose a beach where 2- to 4-foot waves break over sand, not rocks or coral. A less-crowded beach is optimal, so you don't have to risk irking experienced surfers or compete for waves with other beginners. Wade out into waist-deep water, then ease your body onto the deck of the surfboard. Keep the nose about an inch out of the water and paddle out using an overarm crawl stroke. Don't attempt to duck-dive through the waves with your board -- the move only works with short boards and you'll likely end up getting a bloody lip. Instead, simply lift your body push-up style and let the wave roll between you and your board.
Your First Wave
Get the hang of surfing on whitewater waves -- those that have already broken. Point your board straight toward the beach and paddle towards it as the whitewater approaches you. Ride the first few on your belly to get the feel of the waves. When you're ready to catch a wave and try standing, paddle as hard as you can, shifting your weight forward to keep the wave beneath the board. Grasp the rails with your hand, push up and extend your arms. Bend your knees up, positioning one just above the midpoint of the board and the other near the tail. Assume a crouched position, looking straight forward and using your extended arms to balance.
Riding Unbroken Waves
When you're comfortable standing up in whitewater, move out to catch a clean, unbroken wave. Face toward shore when you're ready to catch a wave and start paddling. As the wave catches up with you, it will lift you and increase your speed. Angle your board to the right or left, toward an unbroken surface of wave. Keeping it facing directly at shore results in the nose dropping and you pitching headlong over it. Straighten your arms while grasping the rails to make sure the wave has you. If it does, do your pop-up and ride the wave at an angle across its glassy face. You can turn your board by pressing lightly with your back leg and leaning gently in the direction you want to go.
Partner Up
You should never surf alone, especially when you're just learning. When you wipe out, the churning water can cause your board to pop out of the water and smack you on the head. A partner can come to your rescue if you're knocked unconscious or too injured to swim to shore. A partner familiar with the local surfing etiquette is a valuable friend to have. While basic rules of conduct dictate waiting your turn and not hogging waves, each surfing locale comes with its own rules and customs.
A Dry Run
Practice getting up on your board while you're still on the beach to get a feel for getting up and assuming the proper stance. Begin with standing on the board, getting a feel for whether you feel more natural with your left foot or right foot forward. You can also have a friend push you lightly from behind. The foot that naturally goes out to steady you will be the foot you'll lead with. Lay on your belly on the board and practice the "pop-up" -- getting from your stomach into a crouching position on the board.
Prepare to Surf
For your first in-water surfing lesson, you'll want to choose a beach where 2- to 4-foot waves break over sand, not rocks or coral. A less-crowded beach is optimal, so you don't have to risk irking experienced surfers or compete for waves with other beginners. Wade out into waist-deep water, then ease your body onto the deck of the surfboard. Keep the nose about an inch out of the water and paddle out using an overarm crawl stroke. Don't attempt to duck-dive through the waves with your board -- the move only works with short boards and you'll likely end up getting a bloody lip. Instead, simply lift your body push-up style and let the wave roll between you and your board.
Your First Wave
Get the hang of surfing on whitewater waves -- those that have already broken. Point your board straight toward the beach and paddle towards it as the whitewater approaches you. Ride the first few on your belly to get the feel of the waves. When you're ready to catch a wave and try standing, paddle as hard as you can, shifting your weight forward to keep the wave beneath the board. Grasp the rails with your hand, push up and extend your arms. Bend your knees up, positioning one just above the midpoint of the board and the other near the tail. Assume a crouched position, looking straight forward and using your extended arms to balance.
Riding Unbroken Waves
When you're comfortable standing up in whitewater, move out to catch a clean, unbroken wave. Face toward shore when you're ready to catch a wave and start paddling. As the wave catches up with you, it will lift you and increase your speed. Angle your board to the right or left, toward an unbroken surface of wave. Keeping it facing directly at shore results in the nose dropping and you pitching headlong over it. Straighten your arms while grasping the rails to make sure the wave has you. If it does, do your pop-up and ride the wave at an angle across its glassy face. You can turn your board by pressing lightly with your back leg and leaning gently in the direction you want to go.
Partner Up
You should never surf alone, especially when you're just learning. When you wipe out, the churning water can cause your board to pop out of the water and smack you on the head. A partner can come to your rescue if you're knocked unconscious or too injured to swim to shore. A partner familiar with the local surfing etiquette is a valuable friend to have. While basic rules of conduct dictate waiting your turn and not hogging waves, each surfing locale comes with its own rules and customs.
Posted in: surfing
