How to Wipe Out on a Surfboard

You're going to get a lot of practice doing this during the course of your surfing career, especially while you're learning, so you might as well get good at it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Women's Athletic Swimsuits
• Sunscreen
• Adhesive Traction Pads
• Board Shorts
• Surf Leashes
• Surf Waxes
• Surfboard Bags
• Surfboard Ding Repair Kits
• Surfboards
• Surfing Wet Suits
• Wet Suits (if Needed)

1. Know the hazards of the spot you're surfing and avoid them.

2. When you fall off your board, try to fall "upstream," with the board between you and the shore.

3. Take a deep breath as you fall.

4. Tuck your chin down onto your chest so that your head won't catch on the bottom and hurt your neck if the wave rag-dolls your body.

5. Cover your head with your arms to protect it from your loose board and from rocks.

6. Watch out for the wave. If you fall in front of the wave and it's going to break on your head, try to penetrate into the water so that most of the wave's energy passes over you - unless there are rocks.

7. Wipe out with your eyes closed, but open them when the thrashing starts to calm down. Sometimes you'll need your eyesight to figure out which way is up.

8. Avoid wasting energy fighting the wave. When the wave starts to calm down, struggle up to air.

9. Quickly recover your board and paddle hard to get out of the impact zone.

Tips & Warnings

• Stick to small waves while learning to surf until you have command of the basics.
• Pain, suffering and fear are integral parts of the sport.
• Surfing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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on 6/30/2006 In addition to not letting the board get in between you and the wave, do not attempt to block a wave by turning a board sideways (parallel to shore). I learned my lesson the hard way when I was out on a horrible 12-foot foam rental and thought this maneuver would protect me from the triangulating waves. Most of you probably already know this, but just in case, I hope I can prevent another instance of this mistake.

on 11/22/2005 An adhesive rubber noseguard can be stuck on the nose of your board in seconds. It doesn't change the feel or speed of the board, and really can cushion the blow to you or fellow surfers when you lose control of your board or wipe out.

on 11/22/2005 As a professional surfer/surf instructor, I always instruct my students to fall flat (with their arms out as if they were backflopping off the back of the board) to ensure that they fall as shallowly as possible. You never know what's under you in the water, be it a rock or the bottom in a shallow spot. Once you are in the water, cover your head with one arm and raise your other arm as you surface, so that anyone riding towards you can see you.

on 11/22/2005 you are going to crash, lets face it. But when this happens, do NOT let your board get inbetween you and the wave, unless you want to dive to the bottom for your teeth.

on 11/22/2005 Like whatever you do, man, don't panic. It's pretty stellar when you're out there riding the waves. When you crash, don't panic. Just become one with the ocean.