Beginner Surfers Learn Timing and Rhythm
Beginner Surfers Learn Timing and Rhythm or they have trouble progressing. Most beginners want to ignore instructions in the water because their racing minds won’t allow them to focus.
The first obstacle for beginners to learn in lessons is learning to focus and not listen to the racing mind that wants short cuts. Beginner surfers do not have good instincts. Instincts come with experience.
The Timing Begins with Catching a Wave
The surfer first catches a wave. They spot the wave they want. The beginner is in waist deep water riding foam waves. When it is 20′ feet away he rolls over onto his board and paddles easy three times, looks to see the wave, and then paddles hard three times. This should be the same every time to start the timing.
Once the board has accelerated in front of the wave, the surfer puts his hands on the board in a man’s push up position next to his rib cage. Most beginners want to shoot their hands in front of their shoulders and already be in a pushed up position. If this doesn’t push the nose under, this down dawg (yoga) position makes it difficult to get the feet under the body.
The surfer then pushes up and brings one foot up three feet from the tail and places it flat on the board under his butt. This will allow him to stand and lift his hands off the board. With the hands release, the surfer can move the other foot (that hasn’t moved yet) and place it in the center of the board shoulder width (3′) apart from the back foot.
Getting into the Right Stance
His hands must be in front of his body in what I call the “push the box” position. This places his weight equal on both sides of the center stringer as his hips and shoulders are square to the beach. Most beginners want to ride in what I call “snowboarding” with one hand trailing. This places his butt over one rail and his weight on his heels, so he falls off the side.
This has to be a smooth sequence to maintain balance and each step must be followed. Most important is stopping after paddling in the push up position for a few seconds. If the surfer doesn’t stop, his forward momentum carries him off the front of the board or into a bad pop up.
Timing and rhythm are recognized once the surfer has it. Then he pops up and rides every wave.
More Posts
Oceanside Surf Lessons for Beginners
Beginner Surfers Learn the Pop Up
How to Progress to Surfing the Short Board
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