How to Properly Fall While Surfing a Reef Break
Nobody wants to fall while surfing, but we all do! That said, learning how to properly fall is critical to learning from your mistakes rather than suffering from them. It's especially important when surfing a reef break, where shallow water and sharp corals combine to form a gnarly landing pad. As a beginner, or a beginner to surfing reef breaks, learn a few techniques to save yourself a painfully earned scar or two.
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Instructions
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Ask local surfers about the specific surf break. Learn about any dangers, such as strong currents, or hidden rocks or corals close to the surface, before you even think about beginning to surf.
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Watch other surfers. Take note of how and where they surf, paying specific attention to where they paddle out, sit and wait for waves, catch waves and bail out. Are there any areas they consistently seem to avoid? If so, it might be an indicator of hidden dangers to a beginner.
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Note any visible currents or places you might get trapped inside the break zone by a continuous wash of water. White foamy water moving on the surface (aside from waves) can indicate a stream of moving water. Plan to use the currents to help you get to where you're going; not to hold you back. Again, begin by following the local surfers' example.
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Fall off the back of the wave whenever possible, toward the open ocean. The water is deeper and you won't be pounded down by the crashing wave.
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Try to land flat--like a pancake--if you are going to bail in front of the wave. Cover your face and head with your arms, and avoid going head first at all costs. You obviously don't want to be pounded into the coral reef below, but if you are, it's better to tear up your feet than your face.
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Lie flat after a fall; don't kick, you'll end up thrashing your feet on the coral just underneath you--very painful. Instead, learn to lie still and pull your board back to you by its leash and climb on. Of course, do this as quickly as possible to get out of the way of incoming waves and surfers.
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Paddle with your arms out to the side if the water is very shallow, just barely digging beneath the surface. You may need to pull your leash up onto your board to avoid snagging corals as you go.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do get cut by coral, leave the water immediately. Clean the cut thoroughly and follow the advice of a physician for proper care. Coral cuts can easily get infected and take a while to heal.
