Top Ten Surfing Tips

10. Don’t be stupid:

I know that this may seem like a basic step, but I feel
like I do need to say it. If you are a beginner, it doesn’t matter how many
surfing movies you’ve watched, you can’t just get out there and start surfing
the tunnels. Stick to the smaller waves until it is SAFER for you to move to
bigger ones.

9. Be able to keep yourself afloat:

Yet another tip that seems like a no
brainer, but there were actually some people who came with us who couldn’t swim.
If you get wrecked by a wave, and you will, and you can’t come back up to the
surface, it’s bad news for you.

8. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings:

So here’s a good story. I was
out surfing, getting up on some, eating sand on most, when I looked up and
realized that I was no where near the instructors, my fellow students or any
where close to civilization. Actually, I was starting to buddy up with the rocks
on cliff because I just hadn’t been paying attention. The rip tide is dangerous
and very strong so make sure that you are always aware of where you are and if
you are drifting.

7. Keep your leg wrap on:

I can’t emphasize enough how often this kept my board
from drifting away like Wilson the volleyball in Cast Away. I know it might seem
like it’s getting in the way or it keeps getting tangled but make sure you keep
it on.

6. Be centred over the board before you push up:

Make sure that you have your
balance before you begin to push up, otherwise you’ll tip over and, wouldn’t you
know it, swallow more sea water.

5. Do heaps of paddling:

Think you have caught the wave, finally? If you aren’t
starting to get up with the wave almost at your knees, you haven’t caught it.
When the wave hits your feet, do 4 more paddles and then you can attempt to
stand up.

4. Surfing Etiquette:

They are rules to surfing, in case you didn’t know. Your
instructor will know most of them, but the most important one that I’ve found is
that the person in front of you has the right of way on the waves. If they are
coming at you, it’s way easier for you to move out of the way then it is for
them to attempt to. So do it.

3. Listen to your instructor:

They are always right. You are always wrong. You,
a beginner, do not know as much as they do.

2. Keep trying:

Just because you didn’t get up on your first wave, or first
dozen doesn’t mean that you should just give up. Keep trying something different
and you’ll make it eventually. After you’ve been worked over by a bunch of
waves, been hit with your board a fair amount and swallowed your share of the
ocean, you’ll finally be able to get up almost every time and then you’ll be
wondering what took you so long in the first place.

1. Don’t panic:

Even if the worst is happening, (sharks are surrounding you, rip
tide has pulled you into the jagged rocks, BP spilled oil off the coast of where
you are surfing) nothing is fixed by panicking. Keep a cool head and think
through your options. Hysterics never got anyone anything but weird looks.

By Devon Katheder, Purdue University

Now you know all the secrets why not try a Surf Lesson in Sydney