| When I first started surfing 25 years ago I felt I | | | | paddle after wave is before it gets to you not when |
| would never learn quick enough. I distinctly remember | | | | it is right up on you. You must position yourself in a |
| running wildly to the ocean the first time with my | | | | manner that allows you to paddle in front of the |
| new (really quite used) surfboard thinking I was going | | | | incoming wave so that your speed matches the |
| to start shredding those waves almost instantly. As I | | | | waves and it will then more likely grab a hold of your |
| quickly found out learning to surf was not as easy as | | | | board and allow you to catch the wave. A good idea |
| those guys hanging ten made it look. Surfing is a | | | | is to paddle out just beyond the break zone and sit |
| sport that has mass appeal, but many quit before | | | | on your board so you can see the horizon farther |
| the ever really get started. I have put together three | | | | out to allow for maximun preparation time for the |
| easy lessons that should make your first paddle out, | | | | next set. |
| or maybe your second attempt out, much easier. | | | | 3rd Lesson- Standing and Leg Stance |
| 1st Lesson- Board Positioning | | | | You can get everything else right when going surfing, |
| A common mistake that I see a lot of beginners do | | | | but if you never stand up or stay up on your |
| is lay on top of their board either too far back or to | | | | surfboard then you will never really ride a wave. Its |
| far forward. It really is a subtle balancing act when | | | | important to practice getting up from laying on your |
| you lay on your surfboard. If you are too far up on | | | | stomach to your feet in a quick sweeping motion |
| the board you will pearl the nose under water and | | | | that takes no longer than a second or two. You |
| possibly end up sliding off across the front of the | | | | should practice this routinely at home or in your yard |
| board. What's far more common is for newbies to | | | | until its second nature. Many surfers learned by |
| position themselves too far back which allows them | | | | getting on their knees first then going to a standing |
| to paddle in the water okay, but they will never | | | | position. While this might seem easier at first, it is |
| catch a wave and the board will end up getting away | | | | incorrect and a bad habit to break if you start out |
| from them. The ideal spot to lay on the board for | | | | that way. It is far better to learn to go from laying |
| paddling and catching waves is just far enough up | | | | flat to standing in one movement even if it takes |
| from the center so that you can arch your back a | | | | longer to learn. This will give your a quicker start |
| little as you paddle and the nose stays just a couple | | | | when the waves momentum grabs your board and |
| inches at the most out of the water. It really is just | | | | believe me this will allow you to not only catch the |
| a matter of feeling your balance and paying attention | | | | wave before the competition does, but will guarantee |
| to how you body shifts weight on your surfboard. | | | | you more options on how you will end up riding that |
| 2nd Lesson- Momentum and Speed | | | | totally awesome wave dude. |
| Another very common problem I see beginning | | | | Surfing is quite possibly the most enjoyable sport |
| surfers make is not taking the speed of the wave | | | | that you could ever learn. It may take you a little |
| into consideration when the paddle after one in | | | | time to get it wired but when you do you will be |
| hopes of catching it. It is imperative to always pay | | | | truly sitting on top of the world. It is my hope for |
| attention to your surroundings when out in the | | | | you that once you apply these three easy lessons |
| ocean, but while surfing you must constantly scan | | | | for surfing you will be on your way to catching the |
| the nearby horizon for waves coming in. The time to | | | | most bodacious waves you can. |