At Barefoot Surf Travel, we’re a family of passionate surfers dedicated to intermediates and teaching beginners how to surf faster than they could ever imagine. From the experience of ours, surfing becomes more fun the more you progress. We know there’s a path to accelerate the process of learning how to surf, and we would like to share it with you. Listed here are the top five things we think a beginner/intermediate surfer should know when he starts surfing.
#1 The Learning Curve
Before you start surfing, you have to know this: surfing is among the most challenging and complex sport on the planet. Think about it. Not one wave is actually the same, so your playground is always changing. Elements such as wind, tides, and swells are actually affecting the waves you surf differently every day.
It is a really challenging and enjoyable learning process. When you catch the very first green wave of yours, that is it; you are hooked! Knowing the learning curve makes it possible to prepare your expectations and attitude towards your surfing. Contrarily to snowboarding, for instance, there is no moment on the 3rd day you think. Ok, I have this and then very rarely fall again. In surfing, you are going to wipe-out for years.
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#2 The Importance Of Your Surfboard
In any sport, having the proper equipment helps you perform. But surfing is different. It can make the big difference between surfing twenty waves or perhaps zero waves in the session of yours.
Deciding on the proper surfboard will totally change the experience. It’s not about getting the brand new model. It is about getting the right volume and rocker. The volume is definitely the measurement of just how much flotation the board has. It is a function of length, thickness, and width. Essentially, when you start surfing, you want a lot of volumes (choose either a foamboard or perhaps a longboard, boards that actually have long, thick, and wide a flat rocker). Our favourite boards for the very first days are actually seventy-four Gnaraloo foamboards, they’re quite thick and wide but not very long, so the nose does not drive often.
#3 Choose The Adequate Surf Spot
This’s very important. It can figure out whether you’ve probably the best time of your life, or perhaps probably the worst. Many surfers are going to tell you: start on a beach break; it is safer. This’s true, but only to a certain degree. Obviously, it is better to fall on sand then on rocks or perhaps coral reef. But the truth is. Actually, you will find some sandy beach breaks for advanced surfers and some rocky point breaks for beginner surfers. To make things even more confusing, some spots could be perfect to learn on several days, and on other days only be great for experts. All of it is determined by the wave conditions.
Whether you would like to know if a spot is actually great for your level, you mustn’t only look up the spot information and the daily wave conditions. There are lots of surf sites and forums loaded with info on surf spots. Our favorite is actually Surfline.com because professionals have written it, and their information is normally extremely accurate. As you can see on the right column, they let you know what board type you need, adequate surf level, bottom, swell, tide, etc.
Doing a bit of research on the web is always good. But the very best thing is usually to have experienced and knowledgeable surfers surfing the area for quite a while. They’re the people who can really tell you where to go according to your surf level.
#4 Have Someone To Show You The Basic Technique
As seen on point #1, surfing is among the technical and complex most sports on the planet. Imagine learning the wrong basic methods and then having to unlearn the bad habits before you can continue your progression.
Trust us; this advice comes from inland surfers who started to dedicate their lives to surf way too late in their lifetime. Still, today our coaches realize we have learned certain things the wrong way, and it is tough to change old habits. The main point here is: if you are seriously interested in learning how to surf, learn it the proper way. Have an experienced friend or surf coach show you the right basics for the first couple of days.
#5 Learn About Surf Ethics
You will find many, many rules to go by in surfing: do not paddle inside, do not drop in, do not a snake, do not ditch your surfboard, and so on. It might sound like Chinese when you’re new to the sport. Below are the top three things you must focus on. If you would like to know more, watch our Surf Etiquette video for the Top nine Rules you have to know.
Do not Drop-In
The drop-in is a major violation of surf ethics. It is the one we see way too often. Basically, it means stealing somebody else’s wave. Quality waves are made to be ridden by only one surfer. This way, the lone surfer can enjoy specific, powerful areas of the wave, where only one surfer can fit.
So how to find out whether it is your somebody or perhaps wave else’s? When you paddle for a wave, look on both sides (right and left) before you take off. If a surfer is actually catching the wave further inside, closer to the peak, he’s a priority. If you’re closer to the peak, then you are going to be the one with probably the longest ride, so you’ve priority.
Pick The Right Spot For The Ability of yours.
We’ve seen the way to accomplish this in point #3. This’s an essential aspect of surf ethics.
Respect The Locals
If you’re new to surfing, you may not know that. Every surf spot has a vibe. Some spots are much more localized than others. This means some local surfers are more inviting to strangers than others, which varies in different surf spots. Always remember: you’re not home. These surfers might have been surfing these waves for years since they’re kids. When you get to a surf spot, take some time to feel and analyze the vibe. Be unselfish, respectful, and positive. Share waves, and do not drop in!
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