Teaching Someone To Surf

[isaluteyou]

Okay it seems like over the next few months im gonna have a lot of visitors and they all want to learn to surf. Now most of these guys have never ever surfed or even been in waves before period.

So i have a lot of boards available im kinda of looking at getting them onto a 9'4 long. But i also have a 7'10 funboard as well.

Should i just ignor the 7'10 and get them going on the 9'4 from the get go. Also what types of things should i teach them - sorry i never had lessons so im not sure what i should concentrate on for them.

Anybody with teaching exp would be glab to know some tips.

Thanks

[RJD]

Def go with the longboard.

1st thing make sure they understand how to hold it in white water (pointing in/out etc), & never let it get between them and a wave, even in little waves a longboard can pack a punch.

[Mitur Bin'esderty]

show them the right paddling technique. How to pop up. how to get past the whitewater and maybe you could tell them some etiquette like dont drop in on people, dont ditch your board. etc

[RJD]

^^ that sounds a little advanced, depends on how long you can spend with them.

1st time out...

Get em on the board (hopefully balanced/in a good position), give em a shove in on whitewater a few times, then get themselves to jump whitewater, then progrss to getting to knees/feet.

Dont take them out back or even get them paddling at all first time or two out.

[dondiemand]

first thing, i would probably tell them to read some articles about surfing before u take them out..that way they have knowledge about the do's and dont's, tell them to register on this forum

as far as boards, i would def take the longboard, anyting above 9', if they have enough budget, rent soft tops, it's just way safer

as far as lessons, paddling in/out would be the most important thing to learn, then just take it from there

keep in mind, u can't teach them everything in a single session, be patient, that's the key!

goodluck!

[Sar]

i have never given lessons (obviously) but am still very much a learner, get them to read as much as poss so they get the theory and work out if they're goofy/regular and the theory of how to pop up - the tricks and tips sticky!.
few reminders on saftey and get them in the water whilst they lay on the board and you give them a shove and they catch a whitewater wave a few times.

then let them try popping up and see how they do (try on dry land a few times - perhaps before you head to the beach), it depends on the person i guess some will be able to, some wont but it'll be fun trying and to watch

[Otter]

I have to disagree with some of the posters. Personally I think that teaching someone to go to their knees first is a great mistake. It becomes habitual, and slows down the critical take off process. If you're gonna go for it, go for it. By the time you're getting on your knees, you're committed to that wave, why f*** around?

[RJD]

I guess you'll have to adjust it for how fit & quickly they pick things up.

And to conditions too. I wouldnt have thought many would make it out back on their first few lessons unles there was practicaly no swell.

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

i think that poping up would be a pretty key thing.....then get them out into the white water.

I learned mostly by reading the guide on this site and others, and by doing it. Just finding an empty break and givin er hell. Then again i still suck...so maby there is something to be said about lessons

[isaluteyou]

Thanks for all the info gents and gals. I want this guy to avoid some of the most basic mistakes.

I agree with otter on the knee thing i think its a hindarace later on in surfing so im gonna do my best to get him yo avoid it.

Will Keep ya all posted i'll be teaching this weekend (we will be taking him surfing often) I will again be teaching in april and then march and then june Told you i got my hands full

[tautologies]

hey, let them know about the rules in the lineup so you don;t have to worry about your guests getting beat up


then, yes the knee...have the dry pop on land, take them out stay on the inside and let them have fun in the mush. Most of the guys that ihave taken out, have been tired after paddling out, so don;t over exert them just paddling...if you want to spend time with them, help them position the board and give them an extra push into the whitewater...there is a lot og good tips on this site so have them check it out....

a.

[justloafing]

First off I would not get them in a crowed where you have to worry about being in a lineup. Second Otter has it right about not getting to the knees. I thought it a great suggesting to read this forum.

One thing not mentioned yet is to teach them to take off at an angle on the wave NOT straight at the beach. That pearling can be a bitch if the board come down on their head.

[GowerCharger]

id agree with getting them to rent softboards the very first time they go in, a 9ft+ longboard is a big heavy beast especially for someone whos never evem been in waves like you say, a soft board is also a big heavy beast but packs much less of a punch when it hits you (or an innocent bystander).

People pick up surfing at a different pace, you might find some who will be straight up on the soft board and will probably do better on your 7'10 next time, and some who cant even cathc waves lying down without getting washed off sideways, just adapt what you give them to ride and aim for depending on what you think theyre up to.

Ive taught a few people the basics of surfing, ranging from skaters who started on shortboards and where killing it in no time, to landlubbers who couoldnt stand on a learner board even after several trips to the beach. But all had fun as long as they where able to go at their own pace, and having fun is the whole point of learning.