Are you looking for a beginner’s surfing guide to start practicing this sport? Here you will find everything you need to know to get started, explained clearly and concisely. First of all, if you want to start practicing, the most important thing is to take a beginner surfing course because you will save a lot of time in the learning process and also learn in the correct and safe way. You can check out the lessons at our surf school in Fuerteventura Surfintrip. We have courses for all levels!
Choosing the Surfboard for Beginners and Other Materials
The first thing to do is to start with the material suitable for our level. Without a doubt, a beginner should choose a “soft” material board (also called “sponge” or “foam board”) that is long, thick, and wide to provide greater stability during the initial learning phases. If you want to delve into this topic, take a look at our post on choosing the right board.
It is also important that you know the parts of a board (fin, edge, nose…) and what they are for, as well as the basic care needed, such as cleaning the surfboard. In a course, you can become familiar with all this practically, and it is the best way to start. Learning to use it and transport it safely is another aspect to pay attention to.
Other Materials to Start Surfing
In addition to the surfboard for beginners, you will need other materials such as a wetsuit, although depending on where you surf, it might be hot and you might only need a lycra or a neoprene vest. It is also essential to have wax for the board.
Surfing for Beginners: Movements and Maneuvers
Step-by-Step Guide to Surfing for Beginners
It is essential to emphasize that here we will try to provide general technical information without going into detail on each point listed below. This is because we always recommend starting with a professional course to maximize your learning and to practice under safe and suitable conditions.
Entering the water
First of all, you need to analyze the power and height of the waves, entry and exit points, currents, rocks, dangers, the number of surfers, positioning in the water, and reference points on the beach for orientation. The next step is to enter the water by walking, with your gaze towards the waves, until the water reaches your waist. Our advice is to take your board by the edges with the fins facing the waves, positioning it to your right or left (preferably leeward). It is important to maintain a minimum safety distance from other surfers and not to cross their line. Also, try not to position yourself in front of other surfers who are waiting for their waves further offshore.
How to pass through the foams
There are several techniques, but at the beginning, there is one that is very simple and effective with small foam waves. It involves grabbing the edges of the board with both hands (one on each side) to lift it above the foam wave as it approaches. It is very important not to place the board between the wave and you, so the board must be positioned to one side during this maneuver.
Positioning in the water and on the board
Once inside, you need to walk until the water covers your waist. The goal is to be close to the waves but not too close to the point of wave impact. When a foam wave approaches, you should hold the edges of the board with both hands (one on each side) and climb onto the board with a small push of arms and legs to get into a prone position (lying belly down). All this should be done about 1/1.5 meters before the foam arrives. It is important to remember that the body should be positioned in the center of the board with legs together and the trunk arched.
Paddling
Paddling is essential for catching waves. The paddle is alternating and very similar to the crawl stroke used in swimming. The arms extend alternately as far as possible forward (close to your board) with an S-shaped movement that ends at hip level. Then there is a recovery phase where the hand follows an aerial trajectory (out of the water) until it returns to the starting point with a movement starting from the elbow joint.
How to catch the wave and timing of foam waves
To catch a foam wave, you need to perform a series of preliminary technical gestures. In particular: positioning on the board as explained earlier, paddling that starts slowly with eyes towards the foam, paddling that increases in intensity and frequency as the wave approaches. Once the foam touches your feet, go with the last two or three strokes (depending on the wave’s power) and wait for your board to change speed and start sliding.
Takeoff
Once you have felt the change in speed as described in the previous point, it is time to stand up. There are several techniques, and undoubtedly the jump technique is the most effective. However, in our opinion, the best technique in a beginner course is the three-step technique because it adapts to different profiles and, above all, because in the end, it is like a slow-motion jump.
Once you have noticed the change in speed, stop paddling and put your hands under your chest, push as you would for a push-up, and do a plank, place your back foot at the level of the central fins in parallel to the tail of the board and, as a final step, place your front foot at the level of your hands (exactly in the center between your hands) with the foot slightly rotated outwards at 45 degrees. Keep your legs bent, the back knee inward, the arms up (just below your shoulder line) and projected forward, and your gaze forward. Your pelvis should be slightly rotated at 45 degrees.
How to finish the wave (wave exit)
To finish a ride on a foam wave, there are several techniques that can be used. Among these, we have the return to the prone position, stepping off the board (step-off), slowing down until stopping due to the weight exerted by the body (nose dive), abandoning the board by jumping into the water with your feet to avoid an uncontrolled fall (Bail out jump).
How to fall
First of all, as much as possible, you should control the equipment or, at least, keep it as far away as possible from the body of the practitioner and from the people closest to him. Try to orient the fall laterally with respect to the board or its rear part so that it does not come between you and the wave as this could risk hitting you. Covering your head with your hands is very important when falling both in the first phase and in the second (emergence) due to the possible appearance of a surfer, the board, or any other object.
Return to the shore
The safest technique is in a prone position on the board, pushed by the force of the foam or paddling back to the beach.
Parts and Types of Waves, Essential for Starting Surfing
Another essential point in surfing for beginners is understanding waves. It’s important to know the name of each part of the wave (crest, face, lip, shoulder, foam, tube, etc.) as well as the types of waves based on their shape and where they break. This includes flat waves, steep waves, hollow waves, tubing waves, and shore break waves (breaking on the shore).
Among the elements that most influence how waves break are the seafloor and the shape of the coast. The combination of these elements forms the famous “Surf Breaks,” which are permanent or semi-permanent obstacles that cause waves to break.
Among the main types of “Surf Breaks” are “Beach Breaks,” consisting of 100% sand, “Point Breaks,” where waves hit a specific point of the coast (or protruding rocks) following the shape offered by the coast itself, and “Reef Breaks,” with a coral reef or rocky bottom.
Important Final Tips
Don’t rush to learn everything at once because, like everything in life, learning to surf takes time. We’ve always known this: surfing is a lot of fun from day one. However, we would like to remind you and emphasize that surfing is a process that requires discipline, consistency, effort, and patience. Like any type of learning, it takes time to get used to it, and wanting to do things quickly won’t get us anywhere if we want to learn how to surf in the best possible way. Having a positive mindset and always thinking that what matters is the journey, not the destination, is crucial. Every progress, big or small, is still a step forward!
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and training regularly will help us improve faster in this sport. Don’t forget that having fun is the most important thing and that the reward is worth it: the pleasure of being on a board gliding on the water, feeling the adrenaline with every wave you ride…
The sea, nature, and you will become one! It’s something you’ll easily learn in a beginner’s surf course. Want to join one? We’re waiting for you!
