4 Beginner Surfer Fundamentals

The 4 Beginner surfer fundamentals should be mastered to pave the way to advanced surfing. Surfing is more technical than people realize when they begin, but they soon learn the importance of getting everything right.

Getting on the Surf Board

This would seem to be the easiest part, but it is something most beginners struggle with. I have beginner surfers hold the surfboard to their chest as the foam wave approaches in shallow water.

When the wave is 20 feet away, they roll over so their feet are in the back and their body is in a straight line in the middle of the board. Even after beginner surfers have learned to ride waves, they have trouble catching them because they don’t get this right.

Catching Waves

Catching waves is about timing. As a foam wave and later a real wave approach, the beginner surfer paddles to get momentum. Once the wave is close on a foam wave or rolls under the board on a real wave, the surfer paddles hard.

On a foam wave, the beginner surfer has to get in front of the wave before putting hands on the board. On a real wave, the board has to start down the face. Three to four hard paddles is usually sufficient for either.

Popping Up

The beginner surfer initiates the pop up when the wave is pushing the board. The surfer puts his hands on the surf board in a man’s push up position. Then he pushes up and puts his back foot flat on the board under his butt. As he stands on the back leg, he lifts his hands and moves the front foot to the nose.

The pop up is a sequence. It is important to get each step in the right order and perform smoothly. I give students a count and tell them to count out loud for each step. This keeps them from thinking and just following the procedure.

Riding the Surfboard

The beginner surfer must be in the right stance on the board. This feet should be shoulder width apart and the front foot at a 45 degree angle facing forward, The hips and shoulders should be squared to the front and the knees flexed.

If the beginner surfer rides straight to the beach without doing any work, his body is correct on the surfboard. if the surfer falls off the butt side, he has one shoulder back instead of them being squared. If the surfer flies off the front of the board, it is because he kept his hands on the board until both feet were on the board.

Learn More

For Oceanside Surf Lessons, see the Home Page

See the Post Surf Lessons Begin with Foam Waves

See the Post What You Learn in a 2 Hour Lesson

See the Post How to Progress in Surfing

See My Dry Land and In Water Demo video

See How to Catch a Green/Real Wave video

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