Things you need to know before going surfing for the first time

In the past few months we’ve been giving you a lot of valuable tips and insights about what is in
store for you when going surfing. This blog is all about that, really. We’re always trying to make our
readers feel the same love for surfing as we do, so you at least once in your life will try out this
magical water-sport with us in Phuket, or at a beach near you.

This week we’ll try to get you to embrace that love even further when going through a few more
points that you should know more about before going surfing for the first time.

Is it actually necessary to wear a wet suit when going surfing?

Depending on the local water temperature, it is most often determined whether you should wear a
wetsuit or not, but most surf schools do provide a wetsuit nevertheless. Wet suits are typically
about 3 millimeters thick; it’s not a lot, but it may offer the difference between feeling cold and
comfortable when spending hours in the water (once you get to that point).

How long will you actually be in the water?

You’d be surprised, but when going through your first surf lessons, you’ll actually spend a lot of
time on land at first in order to learn the techniques that help keep you on the board more than
swimming in the water. It may seem a bit frustrating at first, but when you learn to stand and
balance on the board, you’ll quickly appreciate having the spent the time with practice lessons on
land.
The surf lessons are truly where you’ll learn about the science behind surfing and exactly what to
do when you are pushed into a wave—specifically, how to successfully pop up onto the board.
Your instructor will teach you exactly what to do, and with repetition, it will start to feel more natural.
Then, your muscle memory can kick in when you’re trying to do it in the water.

This is also the time to ask about things like tides and wind, and how those can make it a better or
worse time to surf—there are certain tides that are favorable for beginners and some that are not.
Be sure to ask questions if you’re not sure because the goal of every lesson is to empower you to
be able to go out on your own.

It depends on where you’re taking lessons, but in a three-hour class, plan to spend about half of it
in the water.

What you can expect the day after a surf lesson?

After your first surf lessons you can expect to be sore in a lot of random places, really. Your arms
may be sore from paddling; your hips and your back from leaning against the board. Sometimes
you may even get a rash on your stomach or chest from the wax.
If your first time feels a little rough, just remember that no one is an expert their first time. If you
want to get better at surfing, you just have to keep practicing, like most things in life. The more you
immerse yourself in it, you gain more skills, confidence, and aptitude for it. And, the more fun it
becomes—which is really the point, after all.

How good of a swimmer do you need to be?

You don’t need to be a professional swimmer, but basic swimming skills are a must. The surf
school you sign up for or the individual you take a lesson with may have different rules, but they
will require a certain level of swimming ability.

Psyched to get started? Get on board — sign up for your surf lessons at Phuket Surfing today!
(link to: https://www.phuketsurfing.com/contacts/)