Surfing has become more popular as travel has become more accessible. Travel destinations like Costa Rica and Indonesia, known for good surf conditions, have become very popular over the last decade. Many people do backpacking trips across Asia or Central America, and since the surf is very present in these parts of the world, it becomes a common activity to try out.
It’s easy to become hooked on surfing. People might try it out because they pass by a surf town during their travel itinerary, but as people get hooked on surfing, they start to plan their itinerary around the path of surf destinations. That’s the beauty and power of surfing.
As a beginner at surfing, there are a few important things to know.
Be patient
Compared to other activities/sports you might have tried, the learning curve of surfing can be quite different and steep. Surfing can be a very difficult and complex sport and your progress will be very slow at the beginning, so it’s important to stay patient and accept the fact that you will not become good from one day to another.
Choose the right surfboard
Having the right equipment is crucial for your learning curve. Many people see surfers riding shortboards and then want to try out a similar type of board, but it’s easy to forget that these people have been surfing for years before mastering all the techniques.
As a beginner at surfing, it’s important to get a surfboard that provides the right support and comfort. Everyone should start with a soft-top surfboard since they are the safest, easiest to paddle, and control when surfing. The right size of volume in the surfboard will make sure that you have the necessary flotation. The volume of the surfboard is determined by it’s length, width, and thickness. We would recommend a surfboard in the 7″ to 8″ range, but your surf school or teacher will know what’s best for you.
Find a good teacher
As surfers, we see a lot of beginners renting a surfboard and just “going for it”. They might have a fun day in the water, but it’s almost certain that they will not catch any waves.
Surfing is as mentioned a very complex and difficult sport where the right techniques are crucial for your learning process. It’s also important to know about water conditions, to make sure you’re safe in the ocean. Because of these two reasons, we always recommend beginners, to join a surf school or find an experienced private teacher.