Surfing 1 2 3 – The Basics of Surfing
Without a doubt, surfing is one of the most exciting sports in the world. Millions of people from all walks of life around the world enjoy partaking it. The sport is open to people of all ages and backgrounds. From kids to vacationers, everyone always has fun doing it.
However, surfing is not easy to learn. When you see a professional doing it, you may be tempted to think it is easy. The first time you try it, you will see just how difficult it can be. Before going out to the oceans, there are some basic rules you should understand.
• Choose Your Board Carefully
The first surfboard should not be too fancy. Keep it basic but ensure that it is durable and easy to handle. When you choose your first board, size will be one of the most significant elements to keep in mind.
If you are a beginner, you should choose a small board especially if you are a short surfer. If you are a surfer who weighs about 50 kilograms, you should choose a board that is about 7.5 feet long and about 22 inches wide. Bigger surfers who weigh 90 kilograms or more should choose a board that is about 9 feet long.
The construction material is also important when choosing your board. If you are a beginner, go for a board that is made of foam for buoyancy. Fast learners can use an epoxy board. These are boards that are made of a foam core encased in resin. Advanced surfers usually prefer to use fiberglass boards, although they do not last long.
As your skills grow, you can add fins to your boards. Fins come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are meant to help you make tight turns, and surf in a wider variety of conditions.
• Choose Your Surfing spot Carefully
A surf spot for beginners is like a kiddie pool in the ocean. In this area, there are no hazards, and there are some sandbars to protect the surfers. In a shallow zone, you will rarely get waves higher than three feet. It is the ideal height for a beginner.
These waves will usually break up quite fast. They are ideal for learners who feel self-conscious. Besides that, going to the area where experienced surfers are is quite dangerous. It could lead to accidents as they try to catch a good wave. If you are unsure where to find the beginner’s spot, you should ask the experienced lot.
• Learn How the Weather Affects Surfing Conditions
In the same way that you would never go golfing on a day when thunderstorms are likely, you should also check weather reports if you want to become a surfer. The high and low tide, wave height, and other climatic data affect surfing conditions.
With modern technology, it enables to find surfing information with ease online. Additionally, you can download an application. There are also live stream videos of popular surfing locations that you can use. However, predicting the perfect surf conditions is harder than predicting the weather.
• Look Carefully
As a surfer, there is a lot you can observe at the beach before going into the surf. Carefully note features such as piers, jetties, fishing boats, and other objects that could be risky to you. Additionally, when you note the location of landmarks, it reduces the chances of you losing your bearing.
You should also note the locations of lifeguards and important signs. For instance, if you see a red flag on a beach, it means that the surf is too high and hazardous. A purple flag will show that there may be dangerous marine animals in the area such as sharks or jellyfish.
You must also learn to spot the lineup. It is the area where surfers wait when they want to catch a wave. Avoid crossing this path that is between surfers and the surf. With time, you will be able to see the important signs such as a bobbling film indicating a jellyfish.
• Keep Your Board Waxed
The wax used on surfboards is designed to give you traction. During surfing, the water makes the board quite slippery. You must wax the board every time you go surfing. It is also worth noting that different waxes work with different water temperatures.
Different types of wax harden and melt at different temperatures. If the wax hardens too much, you will get enough traction. If it is too soft, it will melt off the board. Always consult an expert to find out which wax will work for your specific surfing spot.
• Learn Surfing Etiquette
While surfing is not a team sport, there are some rules you need to keep in mind. It helps to show respect to other surfers and also avoid dangerous accidents. For instance, learn to wait your turn. Beginners may be tempted to use their long board’s speed advantage to get to the take-off zone.
Additionally, avoid dropping in a wave that is already in use. It is the reason why it is so important to teach yourself to be observant. These are just some of the surfing rules, take the time to learn all of them.
Summary
If you are not good at swimming, first get good at that. Additionally, you should never go surfing immediately after a meal. Most importantly, remember to have fun.