WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR FIRST SURF LESSON
Maybe you have already seen our last article [ Why surfing is good for your body, health, and mind. ] So can everyone learn to surf and is surfing the right sport for you?
Fall seven times, stand up eight: What to expect from your first surf lesson
We will give you more details about your first surf experience, what to expect, and what's good to know before entering the water.
Be Positive!
Positivity and an open mind is the key to start with your first surf lesson. Don't have too high expectations, have fun, and enjoy your time in the water. This is the best way to learn a new skill. Have an open mind, and you'll get the most out of the surf lesson, and before you know it, you will be able to stand on your board! If you are nervous about learning to surf, you might find it more difficult to paddle and surf. And don't forget, making mistakes is an important part of the learning process!
The Pop-Up Technique
On the beach, your surf instructor will give you an important theory introduction about safety, rules, how to handle your board, and how to do the first steps down.
Then as a second step, you'll practice the pop-up technique on the beach before going into the water. It is quite easy to practice on the beach and essential for when you are in the water. Like any other physical skill, you will improve the more you do it, the more you practice the pop-up, the better your surf technique will be. Your muscle memories need to adapt to the pop-up technique, so one day, you'll do it without thinking.
Trial and Error
After you practiced the pop-up technique and you have done a little warm-up, it's time to go into the water! The best part starts. Your instructor shows you how to lay in a correct position on the board, how to paddle and to keep the balance while paddling. For your first surf days, you will learn how to surf in the white water only with a soft top board. This soft top board is much bigger, it floats more on the waters surface, and it is softer (in case you will fall on it).
Maybe now is the time where you regret you skipped the gym or your workout before. Paddling is tiring, and you need a lot of strength in your arms. Don't be frustrated, and don't give up too fast if you won't stand up the first times - it is trial and error within the first surf lessons. Surfing is one of the most complex but most rewarding water sports. Maybe it takes 3, 5, or even 10 'wipe-outs' until you will surf your first wave. But then you get your first wave; it is the best feeling! Be patient! Fall down seven times and stand up eight times. It is worth it.
Be aware of the rip currents.
When you have your first surf lesson, the instructor will teach you about the beach and the surf spots. Learning details about the surf spot and how the water moves is a big part of surfing. Maybe you've heard already about rip currents, but what does it mean exactly? A rip current is a strong, localized, and narrow current of water which moves directly away from the shore, cutting through the lines of breaking waves like a river running out to sea. During your surf lesson you will learn where the current is, how you can use the current to get back to the line up and how to handle the power of a current.
You can recognize a current by a few factors: choppy water, a line of seaweed or seafoam moving steadily towards to sea, different colored water, and in the incoming waves, there is a flatter section. If you ever find yourself in the situation, you are caught in a rip current; it is crucial to remain calm. You can do the following two things, swim sideways to the shore or follow it to calmer water. After you left the current, you can ride a wave to get back to the shore. Never swim or paddle directly against a current, you only will waste your energy.
What to bring for your first lesson?
You don't need much for surfing, but a few essentials you should not forget. Boardshorts or comfy bikini or better a swimsuit, waterproof sunscreen, a towel, a bottle of water, snacks or money to buy snacks. For sure, you will be very hungry after.
Good luck and enjoy your surf lesson!