Starting Your Surf Journey
Learning to surf is one of the most rewarding challenges you can undertake. With patience and the right approach, you'll be riding waves sooner than you think.
Choose the Right Board
For beginners, bigger is better:
- Start with a soft-top or foam board
- Minimum 8 feet long for adults
- Wide and thick for stability
- Soft fins are safer for learning
Find the Right Beach
Look for:
- Sandy bottom (not rocky or reef)
- Small, gentle whitewash waves
- Not too crowded
- Lifeguarded if possible
- No strong currents
Practice on the Beach First
Before getting in the water:
- Practice the pop-up motion on sand
- Get your stance figured out (regular or goofy)
- Work on quick, fluid movements
- Build muscle memory before waves
The Pop-Up
The fundamental surfing move:
- Hands flat beside your chest
- Push up while bringing feet under
- Land with feet shoulder-width apart
- Knees bent, arms out for balance
- Look where you want to go, not down
Start in the Whitewash
Don't paddle out immediately:
- Catch broken waves (whitewash) first
- Practice standing in knee-deep water
- Get comfortable with the motion
- Build confidence before going deeper
Paddling Technique
- Lie centered on the board
- Cup your hands slightly
- Alternate arm strokes
- Keep head up to see incoming waves
- Build paddling endurance gradually
Safety First
- Always use a leash
- Never turn your back on the ocean
- Learn to fall safely (away from board)
- Cover your head when coming up
- Know your limits
Consider a Lesson
A good instructor can:
- Correct bad habits early
- Teach ocean safety
- Push you into waves
- Accelerate your learning significantly
Be Patient
Surfing takes time. Most people need months or years to become proficient. Enjoy the process - even the wipeouts are part of the journey.