| The first thing you need is the right surfboard. | | | | one motion. |
| Most people make the mistake of trying to learn | | | | Now you're ready to hit the water. |
| how to surf on a board that is too short. They | | | | Go to a beach that either has small, gentle waves |
| see pros riding short boards and think that's what | | | | or lots of whitewater you can ride on. |
| they need. This is wrong and will only make you | | | | Whitewater, (or soup), is the water that rolls |
| frustrated and give up trying to learn. | | | | towards the shore after a wave has broken. It's |
| Make sure you get a surfboard that is a least 9' | | | | the best place for learning as it will be easier to |
| long. You want it to be thick and wide as this will | | | | catch when you paddle. You can also have |
| insure it's buoyant and stable. A good choice for | | | | someone stand in the whitewater and push you |
| learning are those soft-top boards that are like | | | | into the wave while you lay on the board. |
| giant Boogie Boards. | | | | Enter the water pointing the nose towards the |
| Practice these first steps on the sand before you | | | | waves and lay on your board. |
| get in the water: | | | | IMPORTANT: You want to lay on the board so |
| 1. Lay the board with it's fin, (or skeg), down in | | | | that the nose of the board doesn't dip into the |
| the sand so the top, (or deck), is facing up. | | | | water OR point up out of the water too high. |
| 2. Lay on the board on your stomach so your | | | | When you start to paddle you want the nose to |
| head is about 2/3 of the way towards the front, | | | | be parallel with the water, just skimming the |
| (or nose), of the board. Since you will spend a lot | | | | surface. |
| of time laying on your board you should invest in | | | | To paddle keep your head up, your legs together |
| a rash guard or other UV protective surf shirt | | | | on the board and cup your hands as you reach |
| such as a StayDry Shirt to protect your stomach | | | | out into the water and draw them back along the |
| from getting a rash and your back from getting | | | | sides of the board. Bring them out of the water |
| sunburned. | | | | down by your hips smoothly and without a lot of |
| 3. This next part is done all in one, quick motion: | | | | splash. |
| bring your hands up near your chest and grab the | | | | Once you're out and white water is coming |
| sides of the board then jump up and bring your | | | | towards you turn and point your board towards |
| feet up to where your hands are so you are now | | | | the shore, lay in the correct spot, (nose skimming |
| crouched on your feet and holding the board. Be | | | | the water) and start paddling. When you feel the |
| sure you bring your feet up and under you so | | | | wave pick you up and start to push you without |
| you are on your feet near the center of the | | | | you having to paddle you're ready to 'pop-up', |
| board and that one foot is ahead of the other, | | | | (see step #3). |
| (which foot is up to you). | | | | It will take some practice but by the end of the |
| 4. Slowly stand upright as you bring your arms | | | | day you'll have a lot of fun, get a great workout |
| out to the sides for balance. Be sure to keep | | | | and be surfing. Just get yourself a rash guard and |
| your knees bent. | | | | some board shorts and you'll be a total surfer, |
| Practice this technique,(called a 'pop-up'), until you | | | | dude! |
| can quickly and smoothly jump to your feet in | | | | |