Can I Learn Surfing On My Own

Learn to surf Do you desire to learn how to surf? But don't have the time or coin to take a i or 2-calendar week trip just to acquire how to surf? Well, you're in luck because over the next month I'll be posting a series of 5 blog posts intended to serve equally a guide for learning how to surf on your ain. The series volition cover a lot (not everything, only a lot), from essential equipment and preparation, to tips for paddling and standing upward, equally well equally prophylactic and surf etiquette.

All yous contained learners be sure to subscribe to the Bodhi Surf + Yoga Blog to receive all the future posts.

Surfing Is Elementary

Surfing is a great activity not simply because of the concrete workout that it provides but as well considering of its simplistic nature. In that location's no need for a man-fabricated court or field, a team or opposing players. All you need are some waves, a surfboard, and the want to go out there and ride them.

Surf Equipment: What Yous Need To Surf

The surf equipment you will need will depend on your location. If you are at a warm h2o beach the only essential equipment you will demand is a surfboard with fins, a leash, some board shorts, and possibly some wax (this will depend on whether your surfboard requires wax or not). The unlucky individuals who have to endure cold water during the learning process will require all of the higher up, plus a neoprene wetsuit.

The most important piece of equipment is plainly the surfboard. It is highly recommended that beginners learn on a soft surfboard, aka "softboard" or "soft meridian". While these types of boards don't have the same experience or response as a normal, fiberglass surfboard, there are two major advantages that softboards provide beginners:

Safety – equally a beginner y'all are likely to get hit past your own board or hit another surfer with your board. This is role of the learning procedure, so to avoid getting stitches or having an experienced surfer hassle you lot most the damage your surfboard just inflicted upon his favorite board, go yourself a softboard.
Reduced surfboard maintenance – fiberglass surfboards are quite delicate and can suffer significant damage while you learn proper surfboard care and management. Repairing surfboards can go quite expensive, so get yourself a softboard for the learning process and save yourself some money.

Other equipment which is good to have but not essential:

Rashguard (for sun protection)
Ear plugs
Sunscreen

Earlier You Accomplish The Beach: Safe and Awareness

While the only prerequisite for learning how to surf is knowing how to swim (you should exist a strong swimmer and feel comfy in the bounding main; if you don't, please work on that commencement or enroll in a surf school to ensure your safety) it is important to become knowledgeable about the embankment where y'all are going to be learning. Have some time to find out which beaches in your expanse are amend suited for beginners, if there are potential dangers or hazards (are there rocks or reef?, is the beach known for having stiff rip currents?), find out if in that location are lifeguards on duty, and cheque the surf forecast. At that place are enough of online resources, such as Wannasurf.com and Surfline.com, with information on all the most popular surf breaks around the world.

The well-nigh important matter for staying safe when surfing, whether you're a beginner or an experienced surfer, is to always exist aware of your surroundings. Get in the addiction of observing before jumping right in, particularly if y'all are unfamiliar with a beach or surf break.

Once y'all know what embankment y'all will be surfing at, get at that place and check out the scene. Detect the waves, try to identify if at that place are experienced surfers, as well as beginners, and watch them for a few sets. Try to scope out an area that is less crowded where you can paddle out. When learning it is of import to have some space between you lot and other surfers so:

You lot have a better risk of catching your own waves
You lot are not hindering other beginners, or in the manner of experienced surfers
At that place is less risk of y'all getting hit by another beginner's board, or your board hitting another surfer

At some locations finding your ain space volition be nearly impossible, requiring you to exist even more enlightened of your surroundings, other surfers, and possibly even swimmers. If this is the case, consider surfing at another time. Mornings or late afternoons tend to be less crowded at popular beginner beaches or try surfing during the week if possible.

That's it for equipment and preparation. So get your stuff ready, read up on beginner beaches in your area, check out the embankment you volition be surfing at on your way domicile from school or work, and stay tuned for the adjacent mail service on how to stand up.