Surfing Waves

I reckon I am picking up loads of bad habits when I surf, since I am self taught and surf alone I don't have anyone pointing out what I'm doing wrong. I already have developed quite a sloppy pop-up I think.

Anyway, I'm not asking for help, I was just wondering if any of you have picked up any bad habits when you surf?



(Hmm...Maybe this should be in Surf Chat)

normally people go wrong on the pop up, but people also go crazy with their arms when doing turns unessicerely which can be funny to watch sometimes

My best advice is that when you launch, don't grab the rails, or use your knee as an interim.

You grab the rails you may hit a spot with no wax, and your hand may slip off and you bang your chin. This can wreck a session. Always try to put your hands palms down on the deck for take offs. This also prevents additional drag of your fingers on the rails.

If you're takin off, why go to your knee? You're already commited, so dang it, just go for it. Practice your take offs at home on the floor. It's also a good way to get used to placing your palms down on the deck.

Good luck, keep the stoke, you'll do fine.

Oh yeah, one guy at our local break has this peculiar way of riding, his arms are usually raised, and his hands closed just kind of hang in the air. He sort of squats. For all intents and purposes, looks like he's mimicing an ape on a surfboard. Truly a good laugh, but he's a decent surfer.

Think and you stink. Just do what comes naturally to you. Surfing isn't science it's more like art. If you have to analyse every little detail, then your missing the point of going surfing. You get better by doing and your body and mind will learn better if you don't think too much.

Over the years I've learned the best thing anyone can do is relax and let their instincts take over. When you do that you'll get a lot more barrels, make more sections and won't get crunched near as much. The person that wins at surfing is the one that is having the most fun.