The Comprehensive Guide To Surfing For Beginners

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Beginner's Guide To Surfing 54 comments

So, you think you're ready to begin your surfing journey, and are keen to get to the beach with your surfboard? Are you ready to have a go at surfing Pipeline, the barrels of Kirra or huge Mavericks? Well hold on there, maybe not quite yet. Before you go any further you should first check a couple of things. A bit of reading and preparation now will save you a lot of time later. Here are the most useful sections on Surfing Waves to get your surfing career up and running.

Surfing for a Beginner

Gear to Start

It's important to get the right gear in order for your surfing to quickly progress. The main barrier to progress is starting on an unsuitable board. Make the right choice now and improve rapidly. Also learn about the other pieces of equipment like the surfboard leash, wax and surfboard fins.

Beginners gear

Beginners Lessons

We've a comprehensive guide for beginners which has information on the main things you'll need to master to become a competent surfer. Lessons include paddling, duck diving, catching a wave, positioning and more. This is the place to fine-tune your technique before you've got your feet wet.

Learn to surf

Etiquette

Surfing etiquette is a set of rules that should be observed while surfing. This guide will teach the apprentice ripper the right to surf a wave, not to drop in, not to snaking and other useful things that will keep you on the right side of more experienced surfers.

Surfing etiquette

How a New Surfer Can Prepare

If you are serious about surfing and want to be ready for that first session, find out what you need to know in the run up to arriving at the beach. The better you prepare, the more fun you will have: you'll be fit and ready, have the right gear and be at the right place. Go go go!

Prepare for surfing

Fitness for Novice Surfers

Surfing is a physically demanding sport. You need to be strong, flexible and have excellent endurance. The fitter you are, the longer you'll be able to surf for. The faster you can paddle, the more waves you'll get. We've got lots of articles, specifically for surfers, to help you get into shape.

Surf training

Help

There will always be specifics that may not be addressed in our articles, but help is at hand. We've got a great surf forum, with helpful members who will answer your starter questions and offer the benefit of years of surfing experience. You'll move from fledgling to full grown local hero before you know it.

Surf help

Things to consider:

The first thing to consider is how strong a swimmer you are, and how far you can swim. Paddling around in the sea is not the place to be if you are used to wearing a rubber ring to keep yourself afloat at the local swimming pool. As with all sports there is an element of risk, and the sea is much more unpredictable than a football pitch or tennis court. Even when you are a competent surfer, you should never paddle out farther than you can comfortably swim out to and back in without your surfboard.

Not as easy as it looks (Photo: Lee Norberg)

10 Mistakes a Beginner Can Make

1. Using a board that's too small
2. Attempting to surf for the first time on waves that are too big
3. Not preparing physically before starting out
4. Not learning proper surfing etiquette
5. Surfing without a friend or support
6. Not learning how waves break beforehand
7. Not applying enough surf wax
8. Walking out through through breaking waves holding the board straight out in front.
9. Not observing the local surf conditions, rips, rocks and other dangers
10. Not reading our surf guides!!

Learning surfer slang will help you understand what the other surfers are talking about.

Starter's Summary

A good surfer will make paddling, carving and wave riding look effortless, but the reality is that there is a lot of physical work involved in paddling around, getting up on your board and doing maneuvers. (But lets not get ahead of ourselves!).

Safety should always be at the back of your mind. For example, you should never be surfing alone. You never know what might go wrong even on the smallest of waves, and it's good to have someone who can help you out should you get into trouble.

One final thing, like swimming you should never go surfing straight after a meal. Wait at least half an hour after eating before going for a surf. If you're up for a surf first thing in the morning you should wait until after for your breakfast.

You Might Also Like

• 16 Important Rules of Surfing Every Surfer Should Know
• Your Guide to the Surf Shop and Surfing Accessories.
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• Know What You Are Surfing!
• Surfing Terms, Talk, Phrases and Slang - Over 260 Entries!

Comments

• 

  This website helps alot I just hope I can get in good enough shape to begin

• 

  We're adding to the surf training section all the time, so check back regularly for additional exercises.

• 

  Tried my hand at surfing last week for the first time ever. I am 30..... Too late? Anywhoo - I enjoyed alot. Basically watched what the other okes are doing at Jeffreys Bay - Dolphin beach and got to stand up on the board a few times. Just need more time in the water and preparing by getting fit and visualizing it while not at the coast is the order of the day till december. Thanks for the guides I think its gonna help A LOT.

• 

  Hi Bruce, thanks for the feedback. Don't worry, you're not to old - check out a recent post on the forum about starting to surf later in life. 30, you're a spring chicken!

• 

  You cant be serious about that part where it says: "One final thing, like swimming you should never go surfing straight after a meal. Wait at least half an hour after eating before going for a surf. If you're up for a surf first thing in the morning you should wait until after for your breakfast." Hahaha i have never read a more rediculous thing. Why wouldnt you do that? I mean seriously, it were 100 years ago you thought that it was dangerous to swim after eating. There is no risks at all to do so, or am I wrong? If im wrong, please show me facts that says so. / Kasper

• 

  Yeah I know that if you go swimming right after a meal, there's a good chance you'll throw up. never happened to me but I guess it's true.. probably the same for surfing.. lots of thanks for this article by the way! great beginners guide!! very amped to go surfing! it may take a while but I don't care i need to surf haha thanks again

• 

  A good way to practice surfing and board riding skills anytime is with the Holoholo balance board. Check it out at http://www.holoholo/tv

• 

  Cool!!$!&!!@,

• 

  I loved this surfing guide! I once surfed for aching called : Project Surf Camp and they had surfboards that had padding. I've been dying to surf so much and finally my parents said that their going to buy me a surfboard next week! Any recamendations for surfboards for beginners? ( by the way the THANKS FOR THE GUIDE!!!!!!!!!! )

• 

  don't forget to get yourself a decent rash guard

• 

  Actually the reason you shouldn't go surfing after a meal is that digesting food causes you to release/produce chemicals that are associated with cramping.... On dryland its one thing but if you get a full body crap in the water and your surfing big waves, especially over a reef or close to rocky crops then your screwed!

• 

  I'm 12 yrs old growing up in Labelle MO. with no beaches. I'm drawn to the water and i can't have all of it in the summer and none of it in winter I hate it and i want to surf and move to Hawaii.

• 

  i am teaching my friend how to surf

• 

  I'm 13 and my dream is to move to Cali after I graduate college and learn to surf. I know my parents aren't moving to Cali anytime soon so I have to wait until after College. I live in North Carolina and the closest beach to me is Mrytle and their waves are too dead. But I know my dreams will come true.

• 

  I live in wales, so that's not a good place to learn how to surf.. What inspired me to come here is the film 'soul surfer' you guys should check it out! Its very inspiring..i will surf one day, every holiday we go to Swansea and I surf all the time there, I Duno if Im good but I love to do it:) I hope I become a professional surfer one day:)

• 

  hey how do you wax your board ? xx

• 

  @kasper noone swam 100 years ago, and if the rare few did it sure as hell wasn't anything like modern day surfing. btw they say don't swim directly after eating because it can cause cramps. all the blood is in your stomach so you can cramp up really bad, idk if you've felt a bad cramp before but it is hell and can make paddling in really suck.

• 

  @guest from january 29 buy some sex wax for the water temperature you are going to be surfing in and rub the wax on your board in a circular motion around where your feet are going to be.

• 

  i hope this woorks because im going on a trip this summer so if this does woke thin i will keep useing this

• 

  ya i love surfing i have don it for 3 years i am only 14 but i love it got 3 boards and loving it

• 

  Kasper u retard...surfing is changing my life,, drug free since I started 3mnths ago its the ultimate HIGH

• 

  i was out surfing other day and old greg caught me, he then pulled me under and offered me some baileys emm creamy beige

• 

  Great post! i have always wanted to learn how to surf but have never got around to it/lacked confidence. This post has inspired me to stop thinking about it and actually go for it. I love how you have covered so many aspects, it really helps me to feel more confident in beginning. Thank you

• 

  Having never surfed, this site is a great guide to beginning from the start that has been really informational on what things you should first taken into consideration. I love how you have incorporated links as well as it makes it very easy to find out what you need to know if I wish to get into surfing.

• 

  Errr what's this stuff about being able to swim. I thought the board was your buoyancy.

• 

  some fish are poisenous but preety

• 

  I'm 14 and I wanna gt into surfing, but what exercises are good to be able to be good at surfing and what gear/proper gear do you need to surf.

• 

  how much it will coasts all needs for surfing ?

• 

  This is helpful, but one thing that I can't seem to find is what type of wave a begginer should be surfing, surging, spilling or obviously not plunging!

• 

  To: Begginer surfer on Apr 10, 2015 You want a smooth 2-3' beach break with a larger board for your size, an adult would want 9' - 10' soft top board. But work on your paddling because you spend most of your time paddling not surfing. The best surfers are the best paddlers. Coach Riggs, Surf City Surfing Lessons www.SurfCitySurfingLessons.com

• 

  My 13 year old son has had a yellow foam topped body glove board since he was 8, he wants a thinner pointier one now but I have no idea where to start or if he's ready as I don't go out there surfing with him. We live by flat calm water, so I take him to Cornwall (Newquay and St Ives) a few times a year..blinking long drive 6hrs and just tried Croyde and Woolacombe in Devon.....any tips on boards for next step, or places nearer to Kent to surf?mits killing me in the gas guzzler xx Lisa

• 

  My 13 year old son has had a yellow foam topped body glove board since he was 8, he wants a thinner pointier one now but I have no idea where to start or if he's ready as I don't go out there surfing with him. We live by flat calm water, so I take him to Cornwall (Newquay and St Ives) a few times a year..blinking long drive 6hrs and just tried Croyde and Woolacombe in Devon.....any tips on boards for next step, or places nearer to Kent to surf?mits killing me in the gas guzzler xx Lisa

• 

  For those in Bali check Nusa Lembongan ! It's less crowded than the mainland and the atmosphere is really relaxed. Whatever your experience is you'll find a suitable break. If you are a beginner or first-timer on the reef go with an instructor they'll take great care of you !

• 

  Cool tips ! I love surfing though the last time after I went surfing I got rashes all over my body. I came home took a nice clean bath and it went away.

• 

  You are never too old to start surfing!! I have been around water all my life and was always called a little mermaid since I was always the last one to be dragged out of the water, but never had the opportunity to live near surfable waves....Long Island Sound definitely doesn't count! Have lived in Florida now for 25 yrs but never knew we had any surfable beaches after going to Ft.lauderdale/Deerfield beaches for years with really no surf break and I never saw any surfers to be inspired. Went to Cocoa Beach last year with my bodyboard a couple times and caught some awesome waves..I was instantly hooked. Practiced with bodyboard last year, & hubby got me beginner 6" Totora foam board this past xmas. Been using this board since water got warm enough in June (I don't have a springsuit yet), but am only able to get to the beach on Sundays since I work full time, which stinks. Would quit and be at the beach every day if I was able too!!! Waves are mushy and it's been a flat summer in Delray, and you have to get the tides just right or it will be super flat, but it is good practice. I am the only surf fanatic in the family so I am in the water trying to catch waves by myself while family floats around on noodles or lays in the sun, so it isn't easy trying to paddle into small waves yourself & try to stand up without alot of forward motion. I almost asked a stranger swimming next to me last week for a push! I almost stood up the other day, but the feeling of being caught by the waves and racing towards shore is unbelievable.I think about it in my sleep & every waking moment. Just have to keep practicing what you love...the ocean is my home away from home, and I'm sure I will be ripping as much as my body will allow soon! I am 51, female, 5"2".....so you are NEVER TOO OLD to do something you love. :-)

• 

  Ya good article!!!! Surfing is super fun and stuff and it's something that helps people relate to each other

• 

  Thanks for the article, really useful for aspiring surfers like myself. I am currently 15 and dream of moving to Cornwall/Australia/Hawaii and become a professional surfer. surfing has always been my dream and I know it will come true!! always dream big.

• 

  I saw that Wahine means female surfer. What is the name of male surfers. My church is doing a surf themed Vacation Bible School. How bad is it to use the terms Dudes and Dudettes?

• 

  I like it but need more information.

• 

  my son he love surfing and he said he love this site

• 

  Hi, I wanna go for a surf trip in Europe! Somebody some ideas or tips for me? I'm a beginner. Just leave a comment and write it on me, then I will see it! Thnxxxx

• 

  @kasper After you eat, your body directs a great amount of blood toward your gut. Strenuous activity after eating causes your parasympathetic nervous system to shut down the pathways of blood to you gut off and direct it all to your muscles (shunting of blood from organs to capillaries), thinking that you're probably trying to get away from a predator. Causes gastroporesis: slow gut motility of the stomach and small intestine, bloating, cramping, nausea, vomiting. Probably not the best way to surf.

• 

  I use to surf around Galveston TX in late 60's. Got the bug when vacationing in Samaria Costa Rica and decided to give it a try. Turns out you can surf 45 years later at 64.

• 

  Thanks for sharing information..surfing in beautiful beaches in the world should be a great experience..

• 

  Great article, getting older means I've had to improve my fitness, coming from Manly a swim or a paddle in the ocean each morning has helped. Keep up the good work.

• 

  surfin is my deam

• 

  when I try surfing for the first time what are the odds of running into a shark? Should I be concerned?

• 

  surfing is for life. I started surfing since I learnt to swim which was 4. I can say that some of these answers are incorrect but that's what I think.

• 

  The article discusses about the beginner's guide to surfing is really good. I enjoyed this article and it is I recommend for those who surf the novice who wants to learn more about surfing. Thanks Odysseysurfschool

• 

  Nice sharing,

• 

  I am starting surfing anew. I first surfed in the mid 70s. I remember many great waves , but, one day sticks in my memory. I left school early, no work, I only had this big 9'6" CC Rider. I got to the beach and the waves were about shoulder to a little overhead. We called that 3'. It was glassy , hollow , with about 10 mph offshore wind. This never happens there. I was a new surfer, but, I could take off. I caught wave after wave , tube after tube. I even made some. I remember that strange feeling looking out with water spinning around me. 3 hours later school ended and here they came like ants. The swell had begun to drop and when they asked if it was any good : all I could say is " you should have been here an hour ago".

• 

  thanks

• 

  Great

• 

  I thought you made a good point when you mentioned that safety should always be at the back of your mind when it comes to surfing. I would imagine that it would be a good idea to work with a coach when you are trying to learn how to surf. Working with a coach seems like a good way to make sure that you learn all of the proper safety information when it comes to surfing.

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