If you’ve never tried surfing before, it can seem overwhelming—and a little scary. But with the right information and preparation, you can be out in the water having fun in no time.
Waves are powerful.
Waves are dangerous. Don’t let their beauty fool you — they can cause serious injury or even death. Waves can knock you off your board and into other people, into the rocks, or even right onto shore.
Before learning how to surf, we recommend that you consider taking an active role in protecting yourself from potential dangers while surfing. Many surfers wear foam padding on the front of their boards to prevent scrapes and bruises from hitting rocks during wipeouts (when a wave knocks them off balance). Some people also wear helmets while surfing because they know how powerful waves are; one wrong stroke could mean breaking your neck if there isn’t enough water between yourself and the sand below!
It is important that when learning how to surf, every surfer makes it a priority not only learning technique but also safety measures so that everyone has an enjoyable experience without any injuries sustained by either party involved during this process.”
There is a lot to know.
Before you take your first surf lesson, there are some things you should know about surfboards.
Surfboards are different from other boards. They have a long and narrow shape and the nose is not pointy like a snowboard or skateboard. The surfboard’s tail is also flat, unlike the tail of a snowboard or skateboard which is rounded and sits higher on top of the water. Surfboards come in different shapes and sizes depending on what kind of waves you want to catch; short boards are good for beginners and longboards are usually used by experienced surfers who like big waves (called “gun” waves).
There’s no right answer when it comes to selecting a board size for your first time out—it depends on the type of wave that you’re interested in catching, so think carefully about what kind of wave will best suit your needs before choosing one!
Surfing can be very dangerous.
Let’s talk about the risks of surfing.
Surfing can be a dangerous sport. Waves are powerful and unpredictable, and if you don’t know what you are doing, it is easy to get hurt. For this reason, in the same way that snowboarders and skateboarders wear a man or womens skateboard helmet for protection, it is recommended for surfers to wear a protective helmet too. These can be lifesaving in the event of wiping out and hitting a rocky seafloor.
- The surfboard: Surfing boards can be quite heavy – up to 15 kilograms or more! They can also be slippery with waxes that make them slide easily over water. If the board slips out of your hands while you’re paddling out on a wave, or when getting into or off the water, it will hit your head or face at high speed which could cause serious injury (think concussion). So make sure that before going out on any surf trip you know exactly how much weight your board will carry without sinking underwater too much so that even if something does happen like falling off then there will still be enough buoyancy for staying afloat in case someone else goes after them immediately after this event has happened as well, look for good surf equipment here.
There is no shame in being scared.
There is no shame in being scared.
Surfing can be a dangerous sport, even for the most experienced surfers. There are a lot of things you will need to learn before you feel comfortable surfing. Even if you are an avid swimmer and love the water, there are still risks involved with surfing that may make you nervous about getting in the ocean for the first time. Don’t let this deter you from pursuing your dreams! The important thing is to respect both yourself and the ocean when learning how to surf so that everyone stays safe out there on those waves!
Get some basic training.
If you’re new to surfing, but want to take it on as a hobby, there are a few things you can do before your first surf. First and foremost, get some basic training. You don’t have to do this by yourself—surfing lessons are available all over the country! You can find surf schools near your home or workplace (and likely in other countries as well). If you live in an area where surfing is popular, there will likely be an abundance of classes available at any given time of day or night.
If the idea of going out into open water with strangers gives you pause (or if public transportation isn’t easy), then consider taking lessons from friends who already know how to surf. Many people who surf regularly will gladly share their skills with newcomers who ask nicely. After all, having another surfer around is always better than being alone! Learning how to surf with friends has its benefits: not only will they show them what they’re doing wrong so they can improve faster but they’ll also encourage each other when things get tough (which happens often).
Another great option for those who want hands-on experience but aren’t able -or don’t have time -to attend classes is online tutorials. There are plenty of great ones out there that teach everything from proper posture while riding waves through advanced techniques like spinning tricks off rocks or reefs without getting hurt.”
Find a good beginner’s surf spot.
Once you have the gear, find a good beginner’s surf spot. You want to make sure the spot has:
- A lifeguard on duty, who can save your butt if you wipe out.
- Waves that are gentle enough for a total beginner to stand up on and maneuver around without getting knocked off their board.
- Not too many people around (think summer months), as it will be difficult to get into position in front of a wave when surrounded by tons of other surfers trying to do the same thing. Also, crowded waves are more dangerous because it’s harder for everyone involved to avoid each other and/or avoid getting hit by another person or their equipment.
- Water that isn’t too deep and not too shallow, so there’s not much possibility for hitting rocks or coral underneath where you’re swimming around trying to learn how to ride those waves!
Renting equipment is fine for your first time.
If you’re new to surfing and want to give the sport a try without investing, renting equipment is an excellent option. Renting allows you to try out different boards, fins, and wetsuits without making a big financial commitment. You may find that renting is the best way for your first-time surfing experience.
Pick up surfing etiquette as you go along.
Be aware of others on the wave and in the water.
You’ll have plenty of time to focus on yourself when you get out there, but for now, it’s important to stay aware of what other surfers are doing around you. This means looking forward with your head up and watching for other surfers as well as paying attention to waves. They may be going faster than yours or coming from different angles, so know where they are at all times. Also, keep an eye out for any less experienced or weaker swimmers who might be in danger if they get caught up in currents or undertows—help them out by giving them space when possible!
There is a lot to know about surfing, so do your homework before your first outing!
- There is a lot to know about surfing, so do your homework before your first outing!
- Surfing is a dangerous sport. If you’re going to surf, learn as much as possible about it beforehand.
- The first thing you should do is research the waves. Learn how the ocean works and what factors create the different types of waves that you’ll be catching when you go out on the water.
- Once you know what type of wave best suits your surfing style, learn how to use the proper equipment. Surfboards are made differently depending on whether they will be ridden in an ocean or lake; similarly, different boards are better suited for different types of waves (i.e., longboards work better on big open beaches). It’s also important that you learn how to choose the correct size board for yourself so that both your feet and head remain above water at all times during those long rides across open seas!
- Next up: etiquette! This step in prepping for first-time surfing is especially important because there may be other people around who aren’t familiar with how things are done when it comes down here on land near us all — including us natives from LA county ourselves 🙂 We’ve written guides before about some basic rules like “don’t steal other peoples’ bags” but also want everyone visiting our shores to know about some more advanced concepts such as “what happens if another person falls off their board?” Also note: these rules may vary depending upon where exactly along California’s coastline people decide they’d like to spend time today…
Conclusion
So there you have it! No matter how experienced a surfer you are, there is always something new to learn. We hope this article has helped demystify some of the things that might be scary about surfing for beginners. If we’ve learned anything from our research and experience with surfing, though, it’s that learning never stops—and neither does having fun. So grab a board, grab your friends or family members and get out there!
