Surf For Beginners
Surfing
All beginner surf lessons must teach pupils the basic movements and principles about catching and surfing a wave. These skills must then be developed and honed over time to better ones surfing fitness and ability. All beginner sessions should take place in safe environment that allows the student to develop as quickly as possible in the given conditions.
You don’t need perfect waves to learn how to surf!! You just need a good attitude and the will to shred those waves!
Parts of the Board: Instructors identify all parts of the surf board including the nose, tail, fins, deck and foot rope or leash. The purpose and importance of each part is explained so that later in the lesson when instructors make reference to these parts the student understands what is being explained.
Catching a wave: This is one area where “groms” (young or beginner surfs) struggle with, while appearing to be a simple task, there are a multitude of factors at play when attempting to catch a wave. Instructors explain and demonstrate the correct position to adopt on the surf board when wishing to catch a wave, how to position one’s body on the deck and the correct technique to “paddle into” or catch a wave.
Riding the wave: To being with, students are encouraged to “body surf” or ride the wave into shore whilst lying on the surf board. This develops the feeling of moving through the wave and how moving your body in a particular direction affects the board and your balance.
Standing on the board: All beginner surfers must be shown how to “pop up” or stand correctly on the surf board. The motion of going from lying to standing is one that most people find difficult as it requires the use of a broad range of muscle groups, balance and flexibility which must be developed over time.
Surfing stance: Once beginners have successfully stood on the board instructors will develop their surf stance, beginners must develop their balance on the board so as to prevent nose diving, wipeouts and falling prematurely from the surfboard.
Safe wipeouts: Part of learning to surf is falling from the board, students are shown how to correctly dismount the board, to protect both themselves and people around them.
Safe wipeouts: Part of learning to surf is falling from the board, students are shown how to correctly dismount the board, to protect both themselves and people around them.