15 useful tips for beginners

[oldmansurfer]

I thought it might be fun to add in your own from this article http://www.theinertia.com/surf/15-useful-tips-for-beginning-surfers/
1. Don’t Learn by Yourself.
I learned by myself totally but this is good advice

2. Pick a Good Teacher (ok but how does a newb know a good teacher)

3. Use a Big Surfboard
Good advice but first time learning I learned on a shortboard. Second time I went big

4. Get Yourself a Soft-Top
hmmm ok I didn't do this either time but probably good advice

5. Surf a Beginners Wave
absolutely

6. Spend Some Time on Dry Land First
absolutley

7. Pace Yourself
yep

8. Don’t Get Tangled with the Big Dogs
absolutely stay out of the way of the better surfers

9. Get Comfortable Sitting on that Board
ok? isn't that obvious?

10. Paddle, Paddle, Paddle
and then paddle some more

11. Get Used to Wiping Out
absolutely and in fact think of wiping out as a skill that you need to learn

12. Bend at the Knees
yep

13. Stay Perpendicular to the Whitewater
You will learn this sooner or later one way or another

14. Have Fun
Most important one of the bunch

15. Go On a Surf Trip
I have never done this but then I live in Hawaii so there are lots of waves in my day to day reach

[oldmansurfer]

Don't forget the wax,leash, wet suit, surfboard, surfshorts

[oldmansurfer]

Improve your state of fitness and health if possible. Quit smoking, don't drink to excess, eat a healthy diet exercise regularly

[pmcaero]

The bigger the board, the faster you will make progress.

[RinkyDink]

Learn how to identify a rip current. Once you can find them, learn how to paddle out on them and across them. Don't bother paddling against them unless you're taking off on a wave.

[icetime]

Learn how to identify a rip current. Once you can find them, learn how to paddle out on them and across them. Don't bother paddling against them unless you're taking off on a wave.

This is probably the best advice, also everyone should learn how to get out of a rip without a surfboard and also swim their way back to shore of course with someone by their side to make sure you don't drown, if you can swim in and get out of a rip, you can go to the lineup.

[Lollipop]

Hi guys,

Those are perfect tips for a beginner! I have recently started surf when being on Easter Island. After that I was looking for some mobile app to be useful for surfing, to provide me with tips, spots and surfing reports. I came across the GoFlow app on Google Play - it combines lots of outdoor sports actually! Now I can check good surfing spots before to keep moving forward.

[BoMan]

Learn how to swim in open water.

http://swimming.about.com/od/openwaterswims/a/ow_swim_begin_2.htm

[oldmansurfer]

Used to be no one would ever get good at surfing if they weren't already good at open water swimming. Just remember if you are using the straight arm recovery and are slower than Heinz ketchup that you aren't Janet Evans and maybe you need to change things or strengthen your pectorals.

[saltyridersco]

Have a good attitude!

Surfing is challenging and can be a very difficult sport to master. Adopting the right attitude before you hit the water is therefore essential to succeeding in this sport. A beginner surfer does not quit surfing due to their age or ability. They quit because they let frustration take over and forget that surfing is about having FUN and achieving GOALS. My biggest advice is don’t give up. Adopt a “try and try again” attitude because you WILL learn to surf. All it takes is a little self belief and perseverance. Once you start to see improvements (such as the first time you stand up; the first time you catch a wave and so on) you will notice this overwhelming feeling of excitement, pleasure, happiness and thrill. This is called Surf Stoke. (from: http://blog.saltyridersco.com/5-tips-beginner-surfers/)

[LostAtSea]

No so much a tip, but advice from one beginner to another:

A beginner isn't quite prepared for the first time out back, you see a set wave coming , you do what you've been told and paddle like a demon, the wave picks you up, you and your board begin to accelerate and elevate, and you are, in a moment, faced with a drop....you mind is racing and thinking "I'm gonna get pummelled!"

So. You grab the board in a death grip, freeze.....and then get pummelled.

That is the time to pop up.

So I guess the tip is this:

Your worst fear causes hesitation, and hesitation causes your worst fears to come true.

[Big H]

So I guess the tip is this:

Your worst fear causes hesitation, and hesitation causes your worst fears to come true.

Flip it to the positive and say you just gotta charge.....

[LostAtSea]

So I guess the tip is this:

Your worst fear causes hesitation, and hesitation causes your worst fears to come true.

Flip it to the positive and say you just gotta charge.....

Exactly!

[oldmansurfer]

I think in my case waves didn't intimidate me because I bodysurfed and paipo boarded prior to surfing. I first learned to surf on what was a shortboard for the time and wiped out repeatedly when I started which was trying to catch green waves right off the bat. Wiping out was no problem having endured endless numbers of far worse wipeouts prior. I wasn't intimidated because of familiarity. I guess another way to overcome that is to become familiar through repetition or try bodysurfing .

[oldmansurfer]

Perhaps your perception of how well you surf may hinder your learning to surf. http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/27/why-facts-dont-change-our-minds Or maybe if someone tells you you are a good surfer you are more likely to think you are regardless of the truth. I think it is natural to want to compare yourself to others but maybe don't get too caught up in that because it may hinder your ability to learn or to enjoy surfing.

[GoofyJess]

This exactly! I am 39, just started learning and those moments of hesitation are what get me every time. I need to turn the brain off a bit and just go for it. Easier said than done...

No so much a tip, but advice from one beginner to another:

A beginner isn't quite prepared for the first time out back, you see a set wave coming , you do what you've been told and paddle like a demon, the wave picks you up, you and your board begin to accelerate and elevate, and you are, in a moment, faced with a drop....you mind is racing and thinking "I'm gonna get pummelled!"

So. You grab the board in a death grip, freeze.....and then get pummelled.

That is the time to pop up.

So I guess the tip is this:

Your worst fear causes hesitation, and hesitation causes your worst fears to come true.