So you’ve just started to learn how to surf? You can definitely expect to fall off your board sometime or another! All the professional surfers certainly did when they were just starting out! In fact, there are loads of mistakes that the pros will have made in their first few years of surfing. Don’t want to make the same mistakes? Here are some of the ones the experts will have made. Just make sure you don’t too!
Judging The Conditions Incorrectly
One of the main things surfers need to learn is to judge the ocean conditions. You should know when is the right time to head out to the waves, and when is the safest time to stay on the beach. If you get this wrong, you could end up trying to surf in very dangerous conditions. It is important to know about the swell period and how this is affected by winds. Once you know this basic information, you will be better equipped to judge the ocean and its conditions.
The Board Isn’t Right For You
There is a lot more to picking a board than just judging one on its colors and pattern! A surfboard needs to be right for your weight and capability. When you are starting out, you won’t be able to use the same type of board that the pros use. Professional boards are extremely thin and lightweight, which can be tricky for beginners to learn on.
Your Gear Isn’t Right Either
It’s not only your board that needs to be right for you; all your gear should be too. Men’s Wetsuits aren’t designed to keep you bone dry. A small amount of water needs to enter through the seams. This will then heat up to your body temperature to keep you warm out in the ocean. You should also make sure that your wetsuit isn’t too thick, as this can restrict your movement out on the water.
You Don’t Look Where You Are Going
This point is super important for all watersports. Make sure you don’t look down at your board the whole time! You need to hold your head up and look where you are going. And that counts for all times, even when you are paddling. You will naturally travel in the direction your eyes are, so make sure they are looking out for all the best waves!
You Haven’t Swam In A While
If this is your first time out on the surf in a while, you need to make sure you have honed your swimming. If you haven’t been swimming for a while, make sure you have a quick practice before you hit the ocean. If you are thrown off your board, you will need to have good swimming skills to get back to the board. If you have poor swimming skills, you could end up in some serious difficulties and thing can become dangerous quickly.
So now that you know all the mistakes the professionals made, make sure you don’t follow in their footsteps!
