How To Surf: Catch More Waves & Have More Fun

Step 6: Catching an unbroken wave is the best feeling when you’re learning to surf. Follow us @mazarine_aqua on Instagram for more tips and surfing inspiration and shop all the best active swimwear online at www.mazarineaq...
I promise you, you’ll never forget the feeling of surfing down the face of an unbroken wave. Here we’ll teach you all the tips you need to be consistently catching and riding waves.
Once you reach this stage you’ll start noticing lots of errors and it can become frustrating. But don’t worry, we’ve all been at this stage and it’s now about putting the time in and having as much fun with your girlfriends as you can.
Reading waves and selecting the right one to catch is the most effective way to fast track the learning process! To read a wave when surfing a beach break, look out to the horizon.
You are looking for swell lines that are not even across the top of the wave. You want to select a wave where there is a peak to the and a shoulder or downward slope at the opposite end.
A wave can break left or right or it may close out. A closeout is something you want to avoid.
Paddling - When the wave is about 3 meters way, start paddling and ensure you get 8 strong strokes to match the speed of the wave before the wave before hits you.
Angle your board about 20 degrees in the direction you want to surf, this will allow you to be travelling across the wave face as soon as you stand up.
Position
Ensure you are not too far back on your board or you will act like an anchor slowing you down. Remember speed is your friend in surfing. Positing yourself on the the wave so that you are close to the peak. If you sit out on the shoulder, it will be a lot harder to paddle onto the wave.
Pop up as soon as you feel the tail lift and a forward momentum of the board, pop to your feet.
When surfing on your forehand the cues to assist you are:
Knees bent - back straight
Head and leading arm up
Turn head, shoulders and hips toward wave face with leading arm pointing the way
Place your weight on the front foot
The board should angle across the face of the wave (traversing).
Dismount/wipeout
In surfing you cannot control the elements but you can control how you react to them. I find a sense of empowerment when I relax in a wipe out situation. With some positive self talk under the water, you can learn to relax and go with the flow of the wave. Remember to wipe out flat and fall away from your board, always resurface with one hand covering your head and your elbow protecting your face.
Be careful not to step off your board into shallow water as it is easy to roll an ankle.
Wave negotiation, the Turtle Roll.
When surfing on a big board it’s nearly impossible to duck dive. The best way to negotiate your way out the back, is to learn how to Turtle Roll.
To start you need some speed as you paddle towards the oncoming white water. Slide off the side of your board. Grab the rails tightly and flip the board up side down and on top of you.
Pull the board down on the waters surface towards your chest. You will feel the wave wash over your board. Flip the board over, so it’s the right way up and lift your chest back onto the deck, swing your legs around to the back and start paddling again.
Learning how to turtle roll will give you confidence that you can control your equipment and keep yourself safe.
If you do run into some issues, we have a common errors and corrections package that will support you as you progress through this beginner stage, but remember, the best surfer is the one having the most fun.
Thanks for watching and we’ll see you in the water soon