What Do You Need To Know Before Surfing
When it comes to surfing waves, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of gliding across the water on your board.
It can be a truly fascinating experience, as you try to anticipate the next wave and time your ride just right. With the right conditions, surfing can be an incredibly amusing activity.
In order to get the most out of your surfing experience, it’s important to be aware of some key things before you hit the waves.
In this post, we will outline some essential tips that every surfer, especially beginners, should know.
Always Check Surf Conditions Before You Go Out
This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to always check the surf conditions before going for a session.
The last thing you want is to be caught in a rip current or large set (aka: big washing machine) when you’re not prepared.
Remember that waves can be unpredictable. One minute you might be riding a beautiful wave, and the next minute you could be tumbling head over heels.
Before running into the water, make sure to always take into consideration:
- The size of the waves – Are they too big or small for your skill level?
- The direction they are breaking – Are they breaking to the left or to the right? You can then avoid potential wipe-offs.
- The type of the surface – Is the surface made of reefs, rocks, or sand?
- Wind direction – Wind has a huge impact on waves’ direction and how they crash. A strong wind can interfere with your surfing experience.
- The speed of the waves – Are the waves coming fast or slow?
Some are easy to check on surfing and weather forecast apps and some need you to be next to shore to notice.
Choose The Right Surf Spot
Surfing can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to make sure you are doing it in the right spot.
Beginners should always try to surf in areas where the waves are smaller and more predictable, this will help you to learn the basics of surfing and increase your safety.
Experienced surfers can try out bigger waves, but they need to be aware of the potential dangers.
Surfing in big waves can be a lot of fun, but it also comes with a lot of risks. If you’re not an experienced surfer, it’s best to stay away from these types of waves.
Make sure to also be aware of rip currents and other hazards. Rip currents can be dangerous when surfing.
They can sweep you away far from shore very quickly, so it’s important to be aware of them and know how to deal with them.
Other hazards to look out for include rocks, reefs, and sandbars. These can all cause injuries if you hit them while surfing. It’s important to know where these hazards are before heading out into the water.
Be cautious when paddling out through waves – remember that they can often knock you off your board without warning.
Choose The Right Surfboard
The right equipment is essential for any activity in order to level up your game. But surfing is different – having the right equipment can mean the difference between catching 30 waves or 2 waves in your session.
When it comes to choosing a surfboard, it’s important to consider your own skill level and the type of waves you’ll be surfing.
Choosing the right surfboard is essential for a good experience. Volume and rocker are two important factors to consider when selecting a board.
A board with a lot of volume will float better, making it ideal for beginner surfers. Rocker is the curve of the board, and a board with more rocker will be easier to turn.
If you’re a beginner, it might be a good idea to start with a longboard. Longboards are great for beginners because they offer more stability and are easier to paddle.
Beginners should also look for a foamboard, which is more forgiving if you happen to fall off. Don’t fall for the perceived image of yours – you are here to enjoy and have fun.
As you progress, you can move on to shorter boards such as funboards, fish boards, or performance shortboards. With the right surfboard, it will be much easier to catch waves.
Don’t Surf Alone
Buddha once said: “Happiness never decreases by being shared”. I’m not sure Buddha did any surfing, but when you’re first starting out surfing, it’s important to have someone with you.
It’s always safer to have someone with you in case something happens, as surfing can be dangerous sometimes, especially depending on the spot you chose.
If you have someone with you, you can help each other out if something goes wrong. You can also give each other pointers and help each other learn.
Surfing with a friend or group of people is also a lot more fun than surfing alone. You can chat and laugh while you’re riding the waves, and it makes the experience that much more enjoyable.
Of course, once you’ve been surfing for a while and have gotten more confident in your abilities, you may want to venture out and surf alone sometimes.
This can be a great way to get some peace and quiet and to really focus on your surfing. But even then, it’s always best to be cautious and aware of some dangers.
Try to explore new surf spots you’re not familiar with by having a friend at your company, it’s more fun and exciting to share the feeling of finding a gem spot.
Surfing Needs Time
Surfing is often seen as a carefree activity, but the reality is that it is one of the most difficult and complex sports in the world.
Every wave is different, so surfers must be constantly adaptable – wind, tides, and swells create different conditions every day. It takes a lot of practice to become a good surfer.
You won’t become an expert overnight – in fact, it may take years before you feel comfortable riding big waves, which makes it a challenging but enjoyable learning process.
Having a good relationship with ‘time’ and embracing the surfer lifestyle can create a stronger connection of belongingness and prevent you from giving up too early.
For those who are up for the challenge, surfing can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Learn How To Read The Waves
The lineup is where surfers wait for waves, and it is always important to face the ocean’s horizon.
There are sets that usually come in pairs or groups. They can be unpredictable, but waves have a life of their own and it is important to learn how to read them so you will know when it is the best time to paddle out further.
Some sets break in continuity with one another, while others may break abruptly or closeout entirely. It’s important to be aware that they are always changing their behavior.
Prepare Yourself For The Craft
The most important aspect of surfing is to enjoy it and have fun, remember that. When starting to surf, enjoy the practice (even before riding).
Don’t worry about what other people think of you, your gear, or your skill level. Ignore that noise in your head, get rid of the ego, and focus on enjoying the act of surfing itself rather than how good or bad you are at it. The rest will come with time.
In terms of physical prepayment, it’s a good idea to learn to duck dive before you even stand up; this will help you catch more waves. You can practice that at home or on the shore with your board.
Make sure to always stretch before starting, as it will also help you to improve your flexibility for surfing and will make it easier for you to stay on your board.
Also, try to surf in the morning or late afternoon to avoid sunburn. If you have to, use a good amount of sunscreen to keep you protected from the sun.
While you’re out there catching waves, catch as many waves as possible, even if they’re not perfect, and don’t be afraid to get amongst the action.
Be friendly in the line-up, and try not to take your actions or results too seriously – this will help you to stay focused and stress-free.
Conclusion
So before you get out for catching your next (or first) wave, make sure to follow the steps above. Minding the weather, your equipment, and the surface are critical.
There are a few more elements you need to take into extra consideration like preparing yourself physically and mentally, but remember that surfing is much about the attitude as it is the skill.
Sure, you need to be able to stand up on your board and ride the waves, but that’s only half the battle. The other half is about maintaining the right mindset.
Too many people get caught up in what other people think of them, and as a result, they miss out on the true joy of surfing.
The best way to enjoy surfing is to focus on your own progress and forget about everyone else. That way, you can relax and have fun, even if you don’t catch every wave.
And remember, the early bird catches the worm – or in this case, the best waves.
So don’t sleep in – remember our recommendations, get out there and enjoy the next nice beautiful set.