Taking the First Surf Lesson
Taking the first lesson is often fulfilling an item on the bucket list and starting a life long adventure. Surfing is great exercise, physically challenging, a connection to Nature, and lots of fun.
Some physical capabilities are helpful. Surfing uses the upper body so the ability to do pushups is helpful. Flexibility is crucial especially with hamstrings, buttocks and lower back. Burpies can help loosen up the body. Endurance is important so aerobics is helpful.
What You Learn
The dry land lesson portion of a lesson covers safety issues and popping up on the surfboard. What students learn on dry land is easier than performing in the water. In the water, the element of intimidation is added so students must practice the fundamentals while managing the fear of falling.
Students learn to paddle for waves although most lessons begin with the instructor pushing the student into the waves. After the student has demonstrated some ability to master the pop up, they may be lead to catching their own waves.
Catching waves and riding to the beach is about timing. When a foam wave is close, the student rolls over onto the surf board and starts paddling a few strokes. When the wave is about to impact the tail of the board, the student paddles hard to get in front of the wave, not just ride with it.
I teach a pop up for beginners that is a sequence with a count. The count is paddle, stop, push, back foot, stand up, and front foot. The student should paddle hard three times (six strokes) to get in front of the foam and eliminate pearling.
Then the student puts their hands in a man’s push up position for a few seconds. Then the student pushes up and places their back foot flat on the board under their butt. The student stands on this rear leg as they bring their hands and torso up and places their front foot on the board.
New students should have their hips and shoulders squared to the front of the board and not ride with a shoulder back like skate and snow boarders. Knees should be flexed so students can move and direct the board. If the student can ride straight to the beach without much effort to stay on the board, they are in the right posture.
Advanced steps include paddling out and turning around for waves and then mixing efforts to catch foam and small real waves. New students should use 8′ or 9′ soft top boards. The high volume board will make it easier to learn the fundamentals.
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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