Discover The Basics To Surfing, Class 1 - The Right Surfboard
You must cover the basics when starting out, the first few steps you will need to cover are…
1: Start with the right surfboard
2: 2nd learn to paddle
3: Getting past waves, by either rolling or duck diving
4: Next learning how to catch a wave
5: Then last how to stand up on your surfboard without falling off
Lets first cover choosing the right board. To choose the right board, you might be thinking of what looks the coolest, or what the pros are riding. But believe me you won’t look very cool trying to stand up on a 6ft thruster if you haven’t mastered the basics.
Don’t worry you will get there, but first you need to start on a board that floats well, and is easy to paddle. So the bigger the better, and obviously the bigger person you are, the bigger board you will need.
You will be able to ride a small board sooner, if you start on a big board first. So if you plan to get into short boards look for something around 6ft 10inches up to 8ft long, but if you are looking at getting into long boarding try a Malibu of 10 or 12ft, make sure you can carry it.
The larger the board is, the harder it will be to turn, maneuver, and get out past the breakers. So your first board should not necessarily be over sized, or cost a fortune. Get a cheap 7ft or 8ft board that has a few dings, this will just be to learn on, and once you’ve mastered the basics you can trade it in. When choosing your first board, dings don’t mater, however you don’t want the foam showing. If the fiberglass is peeling off, water will get into the foam, and weigh the board down. So don’t choose anything too fancy, but make sure its going to float, and can be paddled easily.
The shape of the board should not worry you, if it has a swallow tail or is square, it wont matter, you will be going pretty much straight ahead anyway. Just like the number of fins wont bother you, 1 or 3 whatever. You will not be doing tight turns, so shape and fins don’t matter, however whatever surfboard you choose remember it should be at least 2 to 3 inches thick and at least 19 inches wide.
Next make sure you get a good leg rope. You have to have a leg rope, it will save your life. Stay away from big surf until you get used to your board, and have some experience. The leg rope can fling the board back at you in big swells, but you really should not be out there when starting out anyway.
Don’t even try risking it with no leg rope, or an old one that could snap. You might try to grab your board whenever you fall off, but it will get away from you. Then you have to try and swim in with the waves crashing on you, it takes a lot more energy swimming in the ocean then in a pool.
The many elements of the ocean could have you swimming as hard as you can, while you feel like your going nowhere. You might even be able to see your board drifting towards you, but just before you can reach it a wave will pick it up and carry it away, yet you will have to much drag for the wave to pick you up. Even if you are a strong enough swimmer, it will take a lot of time and energy just to get your board every time.
Get yourself a brand new leg rope, so long as it is new it should be fine, but the higher the quality the better. You can use this leg rope for your next board, don’t think it will be wasted on an old board. when choosing a length, the shorter the rope, the less tension it can build up. If you get a really long rope, it can stretch out and spring the board back at you. Just make sure it’s long enough for you to stand up the front of the board.
Once you have your big old board, your ready to practice. Read my other articles on how to surf, for the next steps involved. Then grab a mate and head out, its always wise to go with someone else in case you get into trouble.
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