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