For many people, surfing might seem intimidating, crazy, or outright terrifying! This is for good reason. In the media, typically only the best professional surfers get the limelight and often, only the most extreme waves.
As a result, surfing can seem inaccessible and a lot of people don’t even consider surfing to be possible for them. You may be one of these people asking yourself “Would I be able to surf?” or “Am I fit enough to surf?”.
In reality, surfing is hard and it does have a tough learning curve, but it isn’t as crazy as it may appear. In fact, surfing is something most people can do. You don’t even have to be a super athlete or part sea creature.
Like many people, I felt confronted and afraid when I started surfing. Now, after surfing casually for 8 years, I can say surfing is one of my favorite activities to do. I want everyone to experience the joys of surfing so here are my top 5 ways to make surfing more accessible to everyone.
Anyone can learn to surf
If you can jog and swim you can learn to surf. You don’t have to be in amazing shape, have the balance of a yoga master, or swim like a dolphin to be able to surf. People of all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds can surf. Even kids can surf!
Of course, you need some level of baseline fitness and just like any sport, the more fit you are the easier it becomes. But, that’s not to say that being a tri-athlete is a requirement. Far from it! You do, however, have to be able to swim fairly well.
The media can make surfing look scary and downright life-threatening. For the typical surfer, the reality is quite a different picture. In fact, surfing can be as intense or as mellow as you make it.
As an intermediate surfer, I personally won’t surf if the waves are larger than 7-8 ft, and even that is pushing my limits. I prefer 3-5 ft waves, but I still have a blast on 2-4 ft waves. It’s all about what you want out of it.
Learn before you go
Maybe you’ve been invited by a friend to go surfing, or perhaps you’ve decided to take a lesson. However you end up surfing for your first time, it’s worth it to be proactive and prepare before you go. Of course, your friend or instructor will teach you, but having some baseline knowledge before you hit the beach is helpful.
A little background research goes a long way when you’re first learning to surf. There are a lot of nuances in surfing that are unknown to a beginner. If you know someone who surfs, ask them any questions you have about surfing.
It is helpful to talk to someone face to face and get advice. If you don’t know anyone who surfs, do some research online. There is tons of great content online. In any case, try to learn from multiple sources. Everyone teaches a little differently.
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably on the right track, considering you are already doing background research! Remember, while it is important to learn ahead of time, at some point, you just have to go. The best way to learn is by doing, so find a way to get out there!
Take a Lesson
A lesson from a surf instructor is a supportive and informing introduction to surfing. I strongly recommend taking a lesson if you are a beginner. A surf lesson is definitely worth it and will boost your skills much faster than learning on your own.
You can find somewhere to take lessons in most coastal towns where there are surfable waves. Search online or ask around for which instructors or companies have positive reviews.
Local surf shops sometimes provide lessons or can at least point you in the right direction. You can always ask other surfers at the beach for recommendations too!
Often, companies offer one-on-one or group lessons. While one-on-one lessons have their place, I recommend going for a group lesson. Group lessons are an excellent support system when learning to surf.
Learning with other beginners under the same instructor is fun and makes it feel less intimidating. Learning together lets you share tips about what works and what doesn’t out on the water. Plus, you might just make some friends who you can surf with in the future!
Build a support system
Surfing is difficult and can be humbling. It is easy to get discouraged, especially if you’re going alone. A support system is a great way to help combat discouragement and keep you on the track of improvement.
Find some friends or convince a family member to try surfing with you. Join a local group, club, or community that is open to beginners. Again, a local surf shop might be able to point you in the right direction.
Better yet, find a friend that already surfs, and ask to go with them! Take your kids surfing and learn together as a family.
Whoever you end up surfing with, it is helpful to have a support system. Even as an intermediate surfer, I still prefer to surf with friends or family rather than by myself. Surfing is a great way to bond with others and build relationships.
Read my article: How to find people to surf with to learn more about building a surfing support system.
Start small
Usually, only the most extreme waves and surfers are displayed in the media. Everyone’s seen videos of crazy waves online or in movies. For most surfers, even experts, surfing looks a lot different than in the media.
As a beginner, it’s important to keep things entry level, and work up slowly as you gain more skill. This means starting with a large surfboard on small waves in mellow conditions.
Learn how to read the surf forecast and go out on a small day with low wind. Go to a beach that is suitable for beginners. You’ll have to figure out where and when it is appropriate to surf for a beginner in your area. Local surf shops and any surfers you see are great resources for this information.
For a gentler introduction to wave sports, maybe look at skimboarding or boogie boarding. Before surfing, I started skimboarding, then moved to boogie boarding. For me, this was a natural progression that ended with surfing, but that’s not to say that surfing is better than skimboarding or boogie boarding.
When learning to surf it’s best to start small. At any skill level, you have to be aware of your limits. At the same time, you sometimes need to push yourself and get outside your comfort zone. Finding this balance is pretty intuitive for most, but always remember that surfing can be dangerous. Learn more about how to surf safely and avoid dangers.
Keep at it!
As I mentioned earlier, learning to surf can be discouraging and is definitely humbling. Surfing has a significant learning curve that can take a long time to overcome. A lot of people call it quits right when they need to put in the most effort!
If you truly want to learn to surf, the most important thing is to keep trying. There are a lot of factors that make surfing easier or harder. This includes the size of the waves, the frequency or period of the waves, the wind, the structure of the beach, the type of board you use…etc.
The first few times you go, the conditions might just not be good. Keep going though and you’ll eventually get more good days which you can really make progress learning.
You may feel like giving up at times (I know I did when I first started) but keep at it and keep having fun. Don’t focus on your failures. Learn from them and try to avoid those mistakes the next time you paddle for a wave. Try to be hyper-aware of your body positioning and timing in the water to learn what works and what doesn’t.
Seeing yourself improve is incredibly rewarding. All that hard work will be worth it when you’re cruising on wave after wave and having a blast!
Heads up! Surfing is awesome but it can be dangerous! Learn more about how to stay safe and avoid dangers while surfing. If you are a beginner surfer, check out my other articles about surfing and my ultimate guide to learning how to surf.
