New to surfing? Janine Reith on a quest to improve her surfing shares some coaching tips.
Are you new to surfing and thinking about taking it up? Well amazing, it’s such a rad sport and I am sure you’re going to love it. Yes it may feel a little daunting but that’s ok, it’s totally normal to feel like this. So if you’re looking to get in to surfing you may be wondering the best way to go about it. There’s probably a few questions bouncing around in you head like, do I go out and buy a surfboard? Should I get some lessons? Is it safe to go surf by myself? These questions are totally normal, so don’t worry, you’re not over thinking it but I am going break it down for you, step by step, to help you transition into surfing easy and hopefully stress free.
Here are my hints and tips on how you should get into surfing and a break down of surf accessories that are suitable for people getting into surfing.
1. How do you get started?
I would always say your first step should be to book some lessons. Learn the basics and get as much help as possible, I think around two to three of lessons should give you a good foundation for your surfing. Joining your local surf club is also a good idea, it will allow you to meet likeminded people and will hopefully get you the surf lots.
2. Are surf lessons a good idea?
My answer to this questions is 100% YES! A surf lesson will go through all the basics you need to know from how to stay safe in the water, to catching waves and popping up. You can ask questions and will learn how the waves work and what hazards you need to look out for when in the surf. If you fancy taking it one step further, you can even book a 121 surf lessons or a learn to surf holiday!
3. What should you buy?
When starting out there is no point in buying a surfboard, don’t be tricked into going out and buying a high performance board straight away, because you won’t need it! Surfing is a marathon, not a race and you should learn the basics on a beginner foam surfboard before you consider investing in this bit of kit. A wetsuit on the other hand is a great idea, even if you hate surfing (which I am sure you won’t) you can wear it to swim or stand up paddle boarding in and as long as you look after it, should last you a while. In the UK we wear 3.2mm wetsuits in the summer months and 5.3 wetsuits when it’s cold in the winter, some people like to wear a 5.3 wetsuit all year round or event a in-between season suit like a 4.3mm. The thicker the wetsuit the warmer you will be. Also if you’re planning on surfing all year round you will want to invest in boots, gloves and event a hood!
4. What should I expect?
Surfing is a pretty amazing sport, it’s unlike anything I have ever tried before. It’s a sport that relies on the weather and swell, so it’s a good idea to learn what kind of wind, swell and tide your local beach works well on. Don’t expect to get good straight away. As I said before it’s a marathon not a race and takes a lot of time and dedication to progress but don’t let this put you off, it’s such a great sport that does wonders for you mind and body.
About Janine
I’m a passionate writer and surfer from Germany. As I travel year round to improve my surfing skills I get to know many surf spots and places with amazing waves. At the moment I’m in the Canary Islands where I’m getting four weeks of surf coaching. I’ve lived in Costa Rica, Australia, Spain and Indonesia to follow my passion for surfing and the ocean. I’ve set up a Youtube channel where I will be sharing my experiences and surf adventures and giving tips on how to improve, what to eat and how to work out.
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For more tips on surfing get The Surf Girl Handbook, available worldwide or at the Surfgirl Beach Boutique
