It all begins with the idea of one surfing the waves. We see a lot of surfing on social media and it does immediately resonate with most people, especially the ones who can see themselves doing it.
So once you have that idea or image of yourself surfing , the drive to do so will follow once you take a few steps to head in the right direction.
Firstly you need to be comfortable in the elements so a well fitting wetsuit is a must especially if you are anywhere west of KZN.
The most important piece of kit is the surfboard itself. Too many people we see begin trying on the wrong board. This mistake can quickly turn your dreams of wave riding into a nightmare.
Volume on a board is in my opinion the most important measurement , and only the last 5 years has it been actually placed on the actual board as a dimension. this is even more important than length or width as it will determine how stable the board is and how easy it will be to get to the point of standing .
we will discuss at a later stage the personal volume calculation which one must do to get the correct volume , but for now you need to grab the biggest longest surfboard you can and hit the water.
If you don't have a friend or coach that can teach you , the best way is to get in the water on the correct beach and wave type and give it a go depending on your age and fitness level.
We will also be discussing water safety at a later stage but it is always good to start at a beach that has other people in the water with you. A Blue Flag Beach or one that has Lifeguards. Also don't be scared to ask locals for advice as the would rather help point you in the right direction than have to save you from a potential situation later.
With the correct board you can wade into the sea and catch foam whitewater waves on you stomach all day long if need be , just to get a feel for the board and how it moves in the water and turns , where too far back is and too far forward. This I tell all beginners is spending time in the sea and can be a lot of fun.
The get up is a fast (or slow) jump up bringing your leading leg up to the middle of the board and other trailing leg on the back towards the fin area of the board. When you get to the point of standing , stay low as possible , bending knees as this keeps center of gravity low too and is so much easier to balance.
Wave choice is very important here, like I said foamy waves are your friend in the beginning stages , they launch you forward and get the board moving which in turn creates stability. also look at what is in front of the coming wave , is there enough water to ride , not just sand in front of you , so wait for the bigger set waves to full the beach up with water then you have a longer ride and more chance of success.
keep at this and you will notice more balance and confidence as your wave count grows.
Get in and Go...
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