Sunday, December 16, 2007

How to Catch Waves

So you want to catch your first wave... You've come to the right place!

You can't surf without catching waves first. Being able to catch waves, especially good waves, is a very important skill to learn. The more waves you can catch, the better surfer you will become. You will notice that the best surfers in your area are the ones that catch the most waves. So put in the practice, and start catching more waves than everyone else.

In order to fast-track your surfing development, it is very important to practice jumping to your feet as quickly as possible. This move takes you from lying on your board to the standing position and is often called the 'pop-up'. While you learn to surf, you should practice this move as often as possible. Most people recommend practicing on the sand, but you don't necessarily have to. You can practice it anywhere, but make sure you do it often!

To pop up, start from the lying position, do a couple of practice paddle strokes for effect, and then use your arms to push you up to a standing position as quickly as you can. This also builds arm strength which always comes in handy while surfing. By practicing this move as often as possible, this should mean you can go straight out surfing more often, rather than only practicing before each surf. It also means you are less likely to skip your 'pop-up practice' because you would have already done it.

To begin riding waves, you firstly need to walk your board out. As simple as this sounds, it still takes practice. Many people are put of surfing all together in this step, as even little waves can be powerful enough to knock the board up and into your face or body. To walk the board out, you hold onto the rails of your board. If you are right handed, have your board to the right of your body at your side, holding onto each rail with both hands. This should prevent injury. When a wave comes, tilt your board upwards so the nose of your board goes over the top of the wave, and jump towards the wave. This shouldn't take too much practice as it is almost a natural reaction. Always go over a wave straight on! Never hit the wave at an angle.

Always ensure that no-one is behind you while you catch your first wave. You do not want to hit anyone with your board. It is always scary seeing in inexperienced surfer flying towards you.

To catch your very first waves, you only want to be in waist-deep water. When you see a wave you want to catch, turn around and paddle the board towards the shore as fast as you can. Try and keep the board planing, meaning you are using proper paddling technique. As the wave hits you and begins pushing you towards the shore, take a couple more paddle-strokes, grab the sides of your board, then push yourself slightly back on your board. This last move prevents you from nose-diving. You don't want to push yourself too far back, just enough adjustment to prevent nose-diving and keep on the wave. You should be able to ride the wave for at least 5 seconds.

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