How to Learn How to Surf

There are a few basics one must know when attempting to start surfing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surf board (At lease 8 feet in size for beginners, and preferably foam)
• Surf leash (to be attached to your ankle)
• Surf wax (Not needed for a foam board)
• Wet suit or board shorts and a rash guard depending on water temperature

1. Find a calm area to practice paddling in like a bay or lake before you go in the ocean. Cup your hands and paddle long strokes to gain speed. Practice doing a push up on your board.

2. Now it's time to hit the waves. Find a sandy beach break, avoid reef breaks as a beginner, as you could injure yourself on the rocks. When you first step out in the ocean lift your board over the waves in shallow water. When the water gets deeper start paddling, if a wave comes jump off your board if you are still in waist high water and throw your board over the wave, and jump on your board at the same time.

3. If the wave is too big or the water is too deep to do this. You have 3 options. You can eithor do a push up (this is only possible if you have a long enough board to go over the wave), you can turtle it (you flip the board over and go under your board holding on to it), or you can throw your board away from you and dive deep. (When you do this remember to cover your head with your arms until you surface just in case your board swings back and hits you). Please note that duck diving (pushing your board under a wave) is only possible with short boards, longer and thicker boards are too boyant to be pushed under water)

4. After you get out a little bit, now it's time to surf the white wash. Do not expect to surf like a pro from the get go. It actually takes years of practice to perfect the art of surfing.
   
   When you see the white wash coming behind you start paddling towards the shore with all your strengh, once the white wash hits you it will push you with its force. At first do not get up on the board but just experience the force of the wave while on your stomach.

5. Now it is time to practice standing up. When the white wash hits you keep on paddling until you feel it's momentum, only then should you try and stand up.

6. When the wave comes to an end, jump off your board, try not to just step off if you are in shallow water as you could risk breaking or twisting an ankle.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be scared! Just remember that it's just water and sand. Just remember to always cover your head and roll yourself in a ball if you fall off your board, and you should be just fine!