Top Tips for Surfing Novices

Has surfing always been something that you’ve wanted to try for yourself, but you weren’t quite sure whether you’d be any good at it? Or perhaps you were afraid you would fail? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back, future surfer!

In this article, we have put together the top tips for novice surfers that will help you start your awesome new journey on the surfboard. Aside from these useful tips, we, at Phuket Surfing also want to remind you to expect to put in some hard work into it in order to transform from novice to professional surfer! Nobody has ever jumped on a surfboard and just surfed a big wave. Just like with any other sport, you need to dedicate a lot of time and effort into learning and becoming better at it. Don’t let this scare you though; surfing is one of the most thrilling and rewarding sports out there and a wonderful way to relax, work out, and meet great people!

If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great surfer!

Don’t learn to surf all by yourself

No matter how easy you think surfing looks, never, ever approach surfing by yourself. Either get an experienced friend to teach you or take surf lessons for beginners. If you happen to be in Phuket, this is where we come into the picture! Our experienced staff at Phuket Surfing will make sure that you’ll get the right practice and learn the basics before you jump on your surfboard to conquer the waves.

Always use a surf leash

Especially in the beginning, it will be quite difficult to stay on the board for long. That’s where a surf leash will come in handy. It may perhaps take you a while to get used to it, and it will get in your way a few times, but a surf leash can potentially save your life, so make sure you are never without one!

Use a big surfboard

This is perhaps one of the best surfing tips you could ever follow as a novice. A larger board will offer you a bigger surface to learn on and they’re also make much better floatation devices.

Go to a beginner-friendly surf beach

Going to a beach that is appropriate for novice surfers is crucial to your success as a surfer. Learn to surf on a beach known for good, steady waves and the whole learning process will be smoother and you’ll be advancing to other beaches in no time! Kata Beach is a perfect location for both novice and intermediate surfers alike.

Start small

Tackle small waves before you attempt larger ones. Even though you may feel ready, unless your teacher says you’re ready, you’re really not! Also, don’t even dream of tackling big waves until you’ve mastered regular surfing!

Practice sitting

As weird as it may sound to you, sitting on a surfboard, while in the water, actually isn’t the easiest, nor the most comfortable thing in the world. You can either sit on the surfboard with your feet out of the water, which is not so comfortable, but safe; or you can dangle your feet in the water, which offers a lot more stability, but then you’re a bit more open to ocean wildlife.

Practice your pop-up

The pop out from prone position should be swift and seamless. Think of push-ups, as the two are very similar. Practice while on land and in the water.