How-to’s

Surfing is one of the best watersports to ease your stress and at the same time allow you to maintain a healthy body. To enjoy this sport, aside from learning how to swim and paddle, catching an unbroken wave is one of the fundamental skills that you need to master in surfing. Today, we are going to give you insights on how to catch a green wave like a surf pro. And by catching a green wave, we mean riding it throughout without having to nose-dive or getting passed over. The followings are the tips and tricks that you need to keep in mind when it comes to catching a green wave. How to Catch a Wave: The Ultimate Guide #1. Study the different phases of the wave. Before anything else, you might want to study the different phases of the wave. This is important to master before the positioning. Phase 1 – During this phase, the wave is just a ‘bump.’ When the tide is still at its first stage, try not to catch it. This ‘bump’ should only serve as an indication that a wave is about to hit. Phase 2 – Now that you know that a wave is coming, this is the time when you will see what they call the “green wave.” A green wave is an unbroken wave that has steepness and power, which allows surfers to paddle on it. A wave in its first phase is not powerful enough to catch, and in the next stage, it will be too vertical and dangerous to catch. Phase 3 – At this point, the wave will start to break. The lip of the wave will now come crashing down into the water. Surfers often do not catch this type of wave because it’s too powerful and can cause potential danger, especially if you are still a beginner surfer. Phase 4 – This is the final phase of the wave, where it has been completely broken down and joins the white-water wave. #2. Position yourself. Observe how both beginners and professionals in surfing wait in line for the best set of waves to hit. At the beach, you’ll find them sitting on their boards and patiently waiting as they position themselves. Do the same and find an excellent place to wait for the perfect waves to come. When positioning yourself, keep your nose pointed towards the upcoming waves. But when you see the wave coming, make sure that your board is turned away to help you get ready. #3. Start paddling. Now that you know how to determine a green wave get into the water and start paddling. To avoid combating the breaking waves, try going to the left or right side of the waves. It will also be easier for you to catch it. But be mindful of your timing. When a wave breaks, it comes in a set of fours. Observe the waves from the shore, and you will notice that in-between sets, there is a slight pause. That pause will serve as your cue, and it is usually the best time to hit. #4. Get on your feet. Now that you’ve managed to catch the green wave, it’s time to pop up! There are two methods by which you can pop up effectively. First is by pushing yourself up and then hopping to your feet in one swift motion. The second method is by pulling yourself up on your knees and then slowly rising to your feet. Each method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It is crucial that you practice the pop-up in the sand before you plunge into the water. The popping up is the trickiest and hardest part that you need to master in surfing. It’s all about timing and maintaining your balance on the board. Otherwise, you will fall face-first into the water. But don’t be discouraged if you can’t pop up right away. Practising in both sand and water can do wonders for your popping-up skills. #5. Ride the wave. If you’ve managed to catch the best wave and pop up at the right time, you can now ride the wave. The zoom of the momentum when riding the wave is what surfers are living for. Here you would feel in control, so be confident and dominant in riding the waves. After many trials and errors, this is the moment that you’ve been waiting for. So, make sure to ride the wave with ease, have fun, and you can even strike a pose if you want. Also, don’t get stuck up when you’re on top of the waves, as it can send you nose-diving into the water when you fall. #6. Change positions when you get thrown off. We get it the frustration is running through your veins when you get thrown off your board by a powerful wave. If you notice that you keep on falling down, it’s high time that you change positions. For instance, if you’re leaning too much forward, you can try to arch back on your board to gain full control. And when you start to ride the waves, arch your back so you can maximize the weight in your thighs and legs. Make sure that you don’t catch a wave in its final stage, as it will automatically pitch you, forwards. When this happens, you will lose control and fall into the water. Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ’s) Q: What is the best thing to do when I can’t catch a passing wave? A: When you can’t catch a wave after several passes, try to shift your weight forward. When you’re too far back on your surfboard, catching a wave can be a little tricky. The nose of your board should only be a couple of inches out from the water. It is also advisable that you start paddling early so that you’ll have higher chances of catching the green waves and gaining more speed when it reaches your position. Even … Read more

Many of you might think that the most common surfing mistakes first-time surfers make involve an embarrassing wipeout or painful injury. As a beginner, you can need to take note of these common surfing mistakes to avoid. However, you’d be surprised to hear that more of these mistakes come from overlooking some surfing basics. In this article, we’ve listed the eight most common surfing mistakes beginner surfers like you might make and how to avoid them. With enough practice, you’ll be catching perfect waves in no time! In this article: Overlooking Your Swimming Skills Not Getting Enough Stamina Training Choosing the Wrong Surfing Conditions Surfing with the Wrong Board Not Knowing How and Were to Paddle Badly Timing Your Pop up Popping up on the Wrong Spot of the Board Standing with an Incorrect Posture 8 Common Surfing Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Avoid Them #1. Overlooking Your Swimming Skills Going out surfing without honing your swimming skills first is a big mistake, especially if you’re a beginner. With that said, make sure you’ve honed your swimming skills before catching those waves. Knowing just a few strokes isn’t going to cut it. Remember, you’ll be facing tall waves and deep waters out there, so your swimming abilities must be up to par. Recovering after being thrown off by a massive wave is also an important skill to hone before riding your first wave. You can only do this with constant and diligent practice. How to avoid this mistake: Make it a point to practice both basic and advanced swim strokes every day. Dedicate at least one hour of your day for exercising. Don’t surf until you’re sure of your skills. 2. Not Getting Enough Stamina Training Every sport is physically demanding. Surfing is no exception. First-time surfers tend to underestimate just how tiring surfing can be. It takes a lot of energy to paddle against the current and stand on your board to ride a wave. And to do it over and over again requires strength and stamina. Don’t overlook your physical strength and stamina. Surfing is a physically demanding activity, so you have to make sure your body’s up for it. How to avoid this mistake: Add strength training regular workout regimen. Exercising with dumbbells and doing a few weight lifts is an excellent way to start. You should also include endurance exercises to your workout so that you can stay in the water longer. #3. Choosing the Wrong Surfing Conditions It’s not easy to predict the weather, which makes it just as hard to tell if the conditions to surf are ideal (or not). If veteran surfers still find it hard to surf forecast, what more a beginner surfer like you? Learning how to forecast surf conditions might sound advanced, but it’s simple and exciting. In surf forecasting, you’ll learn how the wind and swell work together to create the perfect wave, among other things. It’s a skill that won’t just give you a better experience. Knowing the optimal conditions for surfing will also keep you safe when you go out into the water. How to avoid this mistake: Start paying attention to daily weather reports. Learn more about surf forecasting through self-study. You can also consult surf forecast apps and websites to help you know when it’s best to surf in your area. #4. Surfing with the Wrong Board One of the most common surfing mistakes beginners like you might make choosing the wrong surfboard. Keep in mind that the right surfboard should be proportional to your size, thickness, weight, and skill level. For beginners, it’s better to start with longer surfboards as they’re more comfortable and safer to use. If you’re a little on the heavy side, opt for lightweight boards. Apart from taking your height and weight into considerations, you should also choose a board based on the kind of waves you’ll be catching. Surfboards come in different shapes, which gives you a different surf experience based on the waves you’ll ride. How to avoid this mistake: As a rule of thumb, first-time surfers should get boards that are longer, thicker, and heavier. The added length, thickness, and weight help you keep your balance in the water. You can transition to using a shortboard when you’re more experienced. #5. Not Knowing How and Where to Paddle Not knowing how and where to paddle is also among the most common surfing mistakes a beginner can commit. Paddling is an essential part of surfing as it’s your primary way of reaching the waves. Knowing how to paddle is one thing, but knowing where to paddle to is another. When you’re paddling out, steer clear of the whitewater. Also, make sure you’re out of other surfers’ way. They need their space, too! How to avoid this mistake: Practice your paddling while you’re on dry land. Lay down on your surfboard and exercise your arms. When you’re in the water, paddle at least five meters past the whitewater before setting yourself up to ride a wave. #6. Badly Doing Your Pop up Catching your first wave is nothing less than exciting. However, the chance to ride that wave can quickly be ruined by a poorly-executed pop-up. Among the common surfing mistakes beginner surfers make is to use their knees to pop-up on their surfboards. When you notice yourself doing this, stop! Popping up with your knees slows you down and decenters your weight. Remember, popping up on your surfboard should be quick and precise. The more precise your pop-up, the better your surf experience will be. How to avoid this mistake: Your pop-up should be like a push-up. Keep your body centered and legs together. Land your hands and chest flat on the board. When you’re ready to pop-up, use your hands to push against your surfboard in one quick, smooth motion. Remember, land on your feet and not on your knees. Practice this motion when you’re on dry land until you master it. #7. Popping up … Read more