The Top Mistakes Beginners Make in Surfing

Surfing can be a thrilling adventure. If you know what you are doing, this water sport can be a good challenge; it can help clear your mind, connect you with nature and has excellent benefits for your physical health. Surfing, like many other adventure sports, has the potential for danger if you are unprepared. So, it is always advised that surfers, especially first-timers, hone the skill to absolute perfection before they take on the adventure.

Luckily for surfing enthusiasts, there are plenty of surf lessons across the beaches of America. California, Malibu, San Diego and Maui are only some of the stunning landscapes on a long list. Maui is one of the most popular surfing destinations and many beginners start their journey with Maui surf lessons to get comfortable with the waves. These lessons prepare surfers for different water conditions and help them develop the right techniques for a safe and enjoyable experience.

If you are a surfing enthusiast or just someone curious about the sport, you must keep yourself informed and listen to instructions carefully. Mistakes during the learning process are common and completely valid; it is one of the best ways to learn. Knowing first-timers common mistakes can help you spot them early in your technique.

Here are some common mistakes beginner surfers make and how you can avoid them:

1. Skipping warm-up

The best thing to do when you learn a new sport or skill is to warm up. It prepares your body and mind for the activity, especially if it’s a sport. Warm-ups before a surfing session are incredibly important. Surfing involves quick movements and a solid presence of mind. If your body is not warmed up it can lead to injuries.

You can avoid this by doing basic warm-up exercises before your surf lesson. Take a lap around the beach or do some stretches. This will work up your muscles, loosening them and preparing your body for surfing. Doing warm-ups before surfing can also get you into the mindset so that you can focus better.

2. Wearing your wetsuit incorrectly

This might sound like a silly step to mention here but it is common for beginner surfers to wear their wetsuits incorrectly. But don’t worry as this happens to the best of us! Your wetsuit is vital as it is the only thing protecting your skin from the temperature and aftereffects of ocean water. Wetsuits are made out of multiple layers of neoprene and are made to protect you from hypothermia. It is essential that you pay close attention when your instructor is teaching you to put on the suit. Beginners often make the mistake of wearing their wetsuit inside out, which makes for a very uncomfortable experience.

Wearing a wetsuit can be time consuming and difficult initially, but it helps to be patient and check yourself a few times before you head into the water. Ensure the suit is not inside out by checking for a visible logo. This is your sign that you have worn the wetsuit the right way. If you are unsure, ask your instructor for help. Take your time because it is always better to be safe than sorry!

3. Choosing the wrong board

So, you’re suited up and warmed up, now what? Well, this is when you choose your board. For an activity like surfing, choosing the right board is crucial. Beginners often pick a board that is too small or too large for their skill level. While it might seem fine on the shore, navigating in the water can become difficult.

Many first-time surfers who take Maui surf lessons receive guidance on selecting the best board for their needs. Ideally, a soft-top board is well suited for beginners. Taking the time to learn about different board types can help you find one that offers the right balance and control. Since waves can be unpredictable, choosing a board that suits your skill level ensures a smoother learning experience.

4. Ignoring the forecast

This could be one of the most dangerous mistakes you make while surfing. The unpredictability of ocean waves should never be ignored. Pro surfers always keep an eye on the forecast before entering the water. This might be one of the important lessons you learn as a first timer. Understanding how to read the forecast patterns might be tricky, but not impossible.

Pay careful attention to your instructor or ask a skilled surfer for help if you are unsure about the water conditions. The last thing you want is to get caught up in a rip current. You can also check the surf forecast. Being a good swimmer is an added bonus as you can find your way out if you mistakenly enter the waters at a bad time.

5. Having the wrong stance

You will wade into the water once the weather conditions are right and you have put on your wetsuit correctly. Here it is crucial that you pay attention to your instructor. Your stance matters more than you think as it is the only thing keeping you on your board! Don’t forget to keep the right posture.

While a squat might seem more stable, this can throw you off balance if a particularly tricky wave approaches. Professional surfers say that this stance restricts your ability to rotate. Additionally, it will affect your joints as it adds uneven pressure. You want to bend your knees and keep the back knee rotated a bit inwards.

Final thoughts

These are only some of the many mistakes beginners make when surfing. However, don’t be discouraged as mistakes are normal and part of learning. What matters is that you learn from these mistakes to be safe and have fun on the ocean water.

Image by Kanenori from Pixabay