Basics of Surfing for Beginners

April 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Lydia Quinn

If you are interested in learning how to surf, it’s important that you consider some tips before hitting the beach. Like every other sport, you will need to learn a few of the most essential rules, as well as safety tips to make every outing as enjoyable and safe as possible. To start, it would be best to discuss the rules that surfers abide by.

• Respect your fellow surfers as they will be able to provide you with help if ever you need any. Give them due respect and they will do the same.
• Respect the beach. Littering will ruin everyone’s fun.

Keep those things in mind when starting out. It will ensure that you and the other surfers will be having a fun and safe time. Now let’s get to the actual surfing (the fun part). As a beginner, it is important that you practice how to balance yourself out on the board first. This does not immediately mean a standing balance as you might even find it difficult to lie still on the board. To balance yourself on the board when lying, remember to find the balance point on your board first. Try several points on your board first. Once you have found that perfect balance, make a mark on the board where your chin rests. This will serve as your reference point every time you will be paddling out.

Notice if the board’s nose is digging into the water, this is called pearling and to correct this, you will need to move back a bit. Make a mental note once you get the exact location for the marking later on. When the board starts to cork (too much weight at the back of the board), try adjusting yourself by moving forward a bit, stop when you feel the board lying naturally in the water, this will help you to catch waves.

In terms of paddling, remember to paddle by alternating both hands, and not at the same time. Paddling with both hands at the same time will not only wear you out faster, it will also prevent you from maintaining constant speed through the water. Once you’re already proficient enough in both techniques, you will then need to learn to sit on your board. At first this may be quite a task as your board will seem to dislike the fact that you are sitting on it. Wobbling is normal for beginners, and to aid with this you will need to be as calm as you can. The more movements you make the harder it’s going to get, so work along with instead of against your board.

Once you have mastered sitting on the board, you’re ready for the greatest part; standing. Now, it would be a lie to say that standing on the board will be easy, as you will probably need to practice for days or even weeks before you get it. When attempting to stand on your board start from a lying position, put your hands on the side of the board and assume a push up position. Push your upper body, and sweep your feet under you at the same time. Keep your feet apart at all times, to maintain a low center of gravity and prevent yourself from falling off the board.

One last note to remember when starting out is to keep both eyes to the front. Never, ever look down at your feet. Once you do, it’s guaranteed that you will fall. So remember all of these tips when starting out. Surfing is not something that you will become good at immediately. But with enough practice and proper techniques, mastery will be sure to follow.

Lydia Quinn writes for PhatSportShades, offering motorcycle goggles, snowboarding goggles and sunglasses for everyday. Visit us at: http://www.phatsportshades.com

Article Source: Lydia Quinn

Basics of Surfing for Beginners

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