Whether you are a young adventure junky looking for your next buzz, a child of the 80's having watched Point Break on repeat or a general water enthusiast, at some point or another we’ve all looked enviously from the waters edge at surfers elegantly gliding down the line with smiles on their faces. They make it look so easy right!?
If only this was the case... in fact it takes years of practice, graft and dedication to hone in those skills. What you don’t see, whilst they effortlessly perform cutbacks whooping at each other, is the multitude of early morning sessions, freezing temperatures and not so perfect conditions they have endured for that ‘one more’ wave to master. It is this experience that has got them where they are today.
Now unfortunately we don't sell this 'experience' so you can't fast forward to World Champion status just yet but what we can do is give you our tips and recommendations for a starter kit to get you hitting the white water and onto your feet!
- Getting started: Have a few lessons. There are surf schools across the whole country so find the nearest one to you and get amongst it. They teach you the basics, from whether you are regular or goofy footed as well as how to pop up.
- Get the right kit: The only way to learn to surf is to catch waves, in general the bigger the board the easier it is to catch waves.
- Surf the right waves: You don't want to shatter your confidence so be realistic, hit the surf on the small days to start with and avoid beaches with heavy shore dumps no matter how keen you are.
- Flat wave practice: Even when the surf is completely flat that doesn't mean your practicing stops. You can always take your board out in flat water to help with your paddling.
- Dry land practice: Practice popping up at home on the floor and get your body used to the motions and reactions you will be going through in the surf.
- Warm up: Make sure you always stretch off before hand, the last thing you want to be doing is pulling muscles whilst in the sea ruining your session.
- Safety checks: Check your leash and fins. Are they fully secure? Use a fin key to check your grub screws are tight and remember you can never have enough wax on your board.
- Paddling out: Before heading out in the surf, have a look to see where the waves are breaking and try to avoid those sections. Paddle out and around. Count the amount of waves in a set and try to time your paddle out in between these. Remember to also check for any rip tides, if you are unsure where to surf check with the lifeguards on duty.
- Walk before you can run: Every surfer had to learn at some stage and experience a wipeout or two. Do not worry about what you may look like falling off, everyone does it, even the pros!
- Surf etiquette: Try not to get in the way of other people, if someone else is going for the same wave as you and they are closest to the take off zone pull back and let them go for it, do not drop in. Think about your safety as well as others, try not to let go of your board as this may hit someone.
- Get that stoked feeling - There's honestly nothing like it! This can come from catching your very first wave or mastering a turn that you have been trying for ages. Have fun and enjoy yourself!
- Practice - The more water time you get the quicker you will progress, even if magic seaweed isn't showing 5 stars that doesn't mean you can't still get out there. Practice, practice, practice!
Hopefully those starter points and kit suggestions have given you the confidence to get in the water but remember here at Green Overhead we are all surfers so will more than happily talk you through everything.
You can message us on live chat through the website, message us on facebook or even go old school and give us a call. Drop us a line anytime, 01803 659770, and a member of our team will happily help and give you advice.
See you in the lineup :)