Beginner Surfers Learn in One Lesson

Beginner surfers learn in one lesson and if they are on vacation, they have the rest of the week to practice on their own. Two things beginners always say: this is more difficult than I thought and more tiring than I expected.

Beginner surfers learn in one lesson

No One Sees Beginners in the Movies

I mentioned to a new student that it is not as easy as you see in films, but you never see new students learning in films. People in films have been surfing for years. Every worthwhile accomplishment has its dues.

Yesterday, another student said it was the best lesson he ever had. In his normal once a year vacations, he had never stood up and rode. Yesterday, all four adults in their 40’s were riding and having fun.

The Beginner Pop Up vs the Advanced Pop Up

In the past, I used to teach students the advanced pop up where both feet have to land on the board at the same time have pushing off the board. The problem with most people is they don’t have the upper body strength and core to accomplish this task.

Now, I use a beginner pop up that most people can accomplish. It begins with paddling to catch a wave and then putting the hands on the board in a man’s push up position. Then with the push, the student puts the back foot on the board under their butt, and stands up on it.

The Back Leg Becomes the Key

Using the rear leg for the stand up move is easier than relying on the upper body and core. Students need a little flexibility and it helps if they are not over weight. As they stand on the rear leg, they lift their hands and place the weightless front foot forward on the board.

The biggest problem students have is they can’t remember to put their rear foot on the board first. This seems silly out of the water and they do it during the dry land lesson, but get confused when in the elements. The best way to over come this is practice in the living room. The video below shows the dry land and in water demo using two feet, but one can get the idea.

Watch my Dry Land and Water Demo Video

Watch a video on popping up in real waves using the back foot

For Surf Lessons in Oceanside, see the Home Page