Common Mistakes when Beginning to Surf

25 July, 2016 · 0 comments

Snaps, floaters, tubes… everything looks so easy when you look at surfing videos of a pro plowing through a wave. Reality is quite different for the vast majority of mortals, learning this booming sport is very much a challenge.

Despite this fact, the benefits that surfing provides are indisputable. When you begin the passionate adventure of learning to surf, you have to keep in mind that there are several important things to learn and that there are mistakes that every beginner makes when they start to surf.

At Calima Surf, we want to give you a hand and give you some information so that you have a clearer idea the next time you get in the water. In any case, you should be aware that in surfing, like many other things, you have to make mistakes in order to learn.

Some of the mistakes that some beginner surfers make are:

Not stretching or warming up before surfing

We’ve all been in that situation where you get to the beach and see that there are good waves, the size is perfect for your surfing level and you start to get impatient to get in the water as soon as possible. Understandable, but it is important to warm up and stretch before catching any waves to avoid a scare or injury in the worst case scenario. Surfing is a demanding sport and without warming up beforehand, you can get seriously injured. Don’t take it lightly.

Standing too far back on your surfboard

If you do this, no wave will be able to carry you. Whether you do it before standing up or after, this will bring you to a stop. Always try to balance your weight so that you don’t lose speed. If you are standing, this is achieved by supporting your weight on your front leg and if you are paddling the wave, keeping your weight to the front.

Standing very far forward on the board

Have you ever fallen flat on your face when paddling a wave because you make a mistake when it was time to distribute your weight on the surfboard just before take off?

wipeout

This is a common mistake. When you paddle a wave, make sure your weight is well distributed when it’s time to stand up. This way, you’ll avoid sinking the nose of the board and as a result wiping out.

Kneeling while standing up

The best way to stand up on your board is to do it as fast as possible. Why? Very simple. If you put your knee down before standing up, you will lose speed and as a result stability. This will make it much more difficult for you to stand up. Learning to surf is like learning to ride a bike; speed is super important to keep your balance.

Wrong size and type of board

Many people start to surf with boards that don’t fit their level of surfing. If you have never surfed before, choose a bigger board that will give you more stability and will let your skills evolve much faster. Otherwise, it will take longer for you to learn and you might throw in the towel out of frustration.

Incorrect paddling

If your paddling is ineffective or inefficient, you will miss a lot of waves. You should work on strong paddling that gives you a good push. To do this, keep your shoulders and chest off the board and your head up. Extend your hand near the nose of the board and put it in the water, creating a sort of arc until it reaches hip level.

Avoid these mistakes and your surfing will evolve much more quickly. Memory and learning are intimately connected with emotions. Luckily, this is something that surfing provides a good base in, so with a little patience and perseverance, you will see the results of your efforts in no time. Obviously, the more you practice, the sooner you will grasp the technique. With repetition and absorption, you will improve your skills in the water. You should etch the different movements of each maneuver in your brain. Imagine, visualize, and do it.