While some people enjoy taking peaceful walks on the beach, others enjoy surfing amid erratic, surging waves. Surfers are regarded as one of the most courageous athletes because it takes great strength and willpower to try the sport. While some surfers do it as a hobby, others hope to become part of the surfing world’s global sensation.
According to some researchers, surfing may be among the world’s oldest sports, with roots that go back to ancient times. While the activity initially started in Polynesia, it later expanded to places like Hawaii and California. Hawaii is commonly referred to as the birthplace of surfing due to its traditional surf culture.
Surfing is an extreme sport that requires dedication, patience, practice, and compassion. Most people start practicing it but leave it halfway because they get discouraged. However, always remember failures are a path to success. Ensure you consider wipeouts your best friend when starting your surfing journey. Even seasoned surfers get hit by massive and unexpected waves.
Therefore, it’s essential to keep practicing and refining your surfing skills. Moreover, you must be capable enough to maintain the perfect balance because there isn’t any additional gear, so your skills propel it. Furthermore, if you’re interested in buying surfboards, head to our buyer’s guide at Outdoor Trends.
Take a look at this guide to learn some top game-changing tips for intermediate surfers.
1. Selecting The Right Surfboard
Surfboards were originally made from tree trunks. Nowadays, surfboards have come a long way and are made from diverse materials such as fiberglass, epoxy, Styrofoam, etc. These materials make the surfboards lightweight and offer a great surfing experience.
Therefore, picking a curved surfboard made of these materials is essential to maintain the perfect balance and ride the waves in style.
2. Always Practice On Land Before Hitting The Water
Practice on land can help you maintain an appropriate posture and improve your balancing skills. You can also practice surfing in an artificial setting thanks to modern technology.
This setting is designed to help novice and seasoned surfers ride high tides and become well-known surfers one day.
3. Master Paddling Skills
Improving your paddling skills is an important part of refining your surfing skill set. This skill will help you position yourself on the wave and ride without falling.
The following are some pointers to help you paddle better:
- Always keep your elbows up as you paddle until your hands are in the water.
- Improve your swimming skills to make your strokes powerful.
- Your back should be in an arched position.
- Avoid paddling with open fingers. Maintaining this posture will allow you to paddle harder without using all your energy.
4. Mastering The Art Of Using Your Head As A Steering Wheel
It’s easier to say that maintaining balance is easy, but it’s not. There are some essential tips to keep in mind to maintain the perfect balance. One of the unique ways of mastering balancing skills is to use your head as a steering wheel.
Position your arms and move your head in the direction you want to turn to maintain ideal equilibrium.
5. Try To Understand The Movement Of The Waves
The main distinction between a novice and a seasoned surfer is their ability to understand the sea floor and analyze the waves. The key to surfing is to start paying closer attention to the ocean. Learn about the water levels, swell time, and swell magnitude. Use mobile applications like Surfline to check the wave forecast before hitting the water. This practice will help you decide when to surf and which waves to ride.
6. Don’t Hesitate To Take The Help Of A Coach
Standing on a surfboard and maintaining balance is the first step. However, actual surfing involves a lot more complex techniques and forms. Novice surfers are eager to learn but often have limited capacity to remember all instructions, so a coach can find creative ways to teach them new surfing forms and techniques. These techniques will not only make them better at surfing but will also help in case of any emergencies while they’re in the water.
There are numerous surf schools worldwide where you can register for training lessons to master the art of surfing. You can learn the basics of surfing from surf schools, including how to stand up on your board and paddle, maintain the perfect posture, and learn surfing tricks. However, do your homework before selecting a surfing coach to avoid scams.
Get Your Hands On The Best Surfboards Reviewed By Outdoor Trends
As a beginner, starting with basic surfing tricks is critical. You can progress to more difficult ones as you gain experience. Many resources are available to help you learn surfing tricks, including online video tutorials and blogs like this one.
If you’re struggling to find good surfboards or can’t decide which one you want to buy, check out our informative product recommendations and buyer’s guide to help you make a pick.
When ready to purchase a surfboard, read our buyer’s guides and informational insights at Outdoor Trends to get the best product for your needs. Our other buyer’s guides include top mini trampolines and rebounders for 2022, best surfboards for professionals in 2022, best-throwing axes & tomahawk for beginners, and more.
Besides surfboards, kayaks, and rafts, we also review other products, including the best-throwing axes, the best budget mountain bikes, the best electric bicycles, and many more. We’ve reviewed and rated hoverboards of 2022, commuter e-bikes, portable fishing kayaks, and much more. Check out our other blogs to explore the latest trends and products.
