How to Manage Beginner Surfer Fear
Most new surfers have to learn How to Manage Beginner Surfer Fear. It is interesting that people want to learn to surf, but in the water they are afraid to stand up. Most didn’t think they would be afraid even if they were not nervous to start .
New students can manage the pop up on dry land. I tell them that when they get in the water, their mind will go “gaga” and they rarely disappoint. On dry land the board is sitting still. In the water, they are suddenly flying on what seems to be an out of control missile.
Time for the Water
In the water, we are riding soft top boards in foam waves. We are only waist deep. They roll over on the board when the wave approaches and paddle to catch it. There is no chance of drowning and falls are cushioned by the water.
I give new students a count to say out loud that is the steps and sequence of what to do to catch a wave. I warn that if they don’t say it out loud and follow it, they will default to their instincts and their instincts are wrong. They rarely disappoint. They don’t count and they forget what we practiced.
Instincts are Not Helpful
Soon they realize their instincts are of no value and they grow tired of failing. I remind them to say the count out loud and we go through the steps they were to have memorized. The count is “paddle, stop and glide, push, back foot, stand up, front foot.” It is the sequence for standing up they must follow to be successful.
Some never memorize it and have little success. Other get on it and start realizing success. Some get it on the first run. The instincts tell surfers to paddle and then throw their hands in front of their shoulders in an already pushed up position. This causes the nose to dive and pearl. They should place their hands next to their rib cage on the count of stop and glide.
Then when they are poised (there is no rush) they can push up and place one foot under their butt flat on the board. This is necessary to stand up. It also allows surfers to lift their hands off the board so the other foot can get in front of their body. Without good flexibility, surfers cannot get the foot flat to stand up.
Where Fear Enters the Sequence
Many beginners know that they are standing on one foot for a few seconds and rising in what feels an unstable move. Therefore, they hold on to the board until they get both feet on the board and then want to stand up. With their nose in front of their toes, they fly off the front of the board. Leaving their hands on the board, they can’t get the front foot to the nose of the board.
I mention to students they have fear of standing up and they need to manage that to progress. They must say the count out loud and follow the steps. When they start focusing on the count, they stop letting their brain over ride the correct process.
Surfing becomes simple and fun when students can manage the count and the process. This allows them to move on and start paddling out further to ride bigger waves.
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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