How Fast Beginner Surfers Progress
How fast beginner surfers progress is a function of several factors. There is no doubt physical aspects of size and condition are factors. Second is ability to learn. A third criteria is courage.
Physical Nature of Surfing
Surfing is one of the most physical recreational sports. Therefore those who have BMI’s (body mass index) of 25 or lower (normal weight) have an advantage. Flexibility is crucial. If a student can touch the floor with their palms and not bending their knees, they have an advantage.
Strength and stamina are important but the average child, teen or adult that is active in strength building or aerobic activities is well suited to learn. The sedentary person will have difficulty.
Ability to Learn Physical Routines
Surfing is about rhythm and timing. There is timing to catch a wave and perform the pop up that is a rhythm students can learn. The pop is a sequence of steps from lying on the board to standing up.
Many people from kids to adults have a difficult time learning to coordinate what they hear or see to their body. I assume they would have difficulty learning a dance or an aerobic routine. Some are blessed with the ability to mimic what they see.
Most of the instructional time in the water is used to correct mistakes people make in learning the timing and routines. Fast learners progress in a lesson from riding foam waves to paddling out and even catching real waves. Slow learners will spend their lesson trying to learn the basics.
Courage in Surfing
Courage in surfing is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. We don’t teach courage and I mention it while teaching when I see people are intimidated by the ocean and refuse to follow the routines.
The ocean is intimidating but falling is rarely painful and I have never had anyone hurt. We start in shallow water so big waves are not a problem. Some people are very cautious with their bodies and this can be a hindrance (not a character flaw).
The biggest hindrance students have from moving from foam waves to real waves is fear. This is natural. Surfers always have fear. The question is whether they can manage it.
I have students who take a lot of lessons and move from riding foam waves to real waves. They always have to face that time when the board is pointed down and moving very fast. I have seen some who seem to have little regard for what happens and others who can’t make the leap.
Read Other Posts:
Beginner Surfers Learn on Soft Tops
5 Steps to Improve Surfing Performance
3 Ways to Catch Real Surfing Waves
Training to Ride the Surfing Short Board
Short Board Surfing Techniques
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