13 Feb 7 Mistakes Beginner Surfers Make & How to Fix Them
Surfing is, without question, is the single most enjoyable activity in existence. Unfortunately, it doesn’t start that way. Learning to surf is an exciting time full of new experiences, the conquering of fears, and plenty of firsts. It is, however, often accompanied by a myriad of emotions from frustration to utter exhaustion. Regardless of how frustrating the learning process can be, the result is always the same overwhelming happiness. A great surf instructor, like the ones at our Popoyo surf camp, Malibu Popoyo, can make a world of difference during the learning process. A good surf instructor can help you avoid common mistakes that many surfers make while learning. The sooner you can kick bad habits, the sooner you’ll replace them with good ones and start riding waves! Our Popoyo surf camp is located near several beginner-friendly and intermediate friendly waves that are ideal for a learning surfer. Continue below to learn how you can avoid common mistakes while learning to surf!
1. Misplacing their weight on the board during the paddle
The Problem
Paddling a surfboard often seems strange and foreign to those who have never done it before. It doesn’t help that beginner boards are so large and cumbersome. So, it makes sense that a lot of beginners make the mistake of laying either too far back or too far forward on their board. Too far back and the nose of the board sticks out of the water like a speed boat, and you won’t have enough surface contact with the water to catch a wave. Too far forward and you’ll nosedive every wave you paddle for.
The Fix
The Fix is simple, find the sweet spot on the board where you are perfectly balanced. Try to remember the spot by using a point of reference on the board, like the logo.
2. Popping up too late or too early
The Problem
Beginner surfers often mistime their pop up because they’re not familiar with the feeling of the wave’s momentum. The result is the wave either rolling under them if they pop up is too early, or taking the drop on their stomach, if the pop up is too late.
The Fix
The fix is to wait until the wave’s momentum begins to lift you as you paddle. Then, do one or two extra paddle strokes and hope to your feet before you slide down the wave’s face.
3. Grabbing the rails during the pop-up
The Problem
Beginner surfers often struggle to get to their feet when they try to pop up, which is understandable considering how unstable a floating surfboard can be. One of the main problems that surfers face when they pop-up is when beginner surfers grab the rails (sides of the board) to try to stabilize themselves. The result is a shaky pop-up that usually ends in a wipeout.
The Fix
The fix is simple, place your hands below your chest like a push up to pop-up.
4. Dropping to a knee during the pop-up
The Problem
Another egregious error that beginner surfers make while attempting to find their feet on a wave is to use their knee to pop up. Unlike grabbing rail, on a beginner board, this will most likely work and the surfer in question will be able to get to their feet. However, on any other board using a knee to pop-up will cause you to wipe out and could even damage the board.
The Fix
There are two ways to remedy this problematic habit, both of which take a fair amount of practice. The first is to pop-up by jumping to both feet while staying low and placing each foot slightly wider than your shoulders on the board. This is a somewhat athletic movement that takes a lot of practice to master. The second is to bring your back foot up and plant it next to your other knee and use it to press up into your pop up, bringing your front foot forward as you do, and planting it between your hands before rising into your stance.
5. Bending at the waist
The Problem
Once you’re up and riding, many surfers make the mistake of poor posture. The most common stance error is affectionately known as “the poo stance.” “The poo stance” occurs when a surfer is positioned on their board with a wide stance, bending almost in half at the waist. This may feel like a well-balanced position, but it is athletically limiting and looks ridiculous.
The Fix
“The poo stance” feels balanced because it gives you a low center of gravity. To achieve a low center of gravity correctly, bend at the knees, not the waist. Ideally, both knees are bent and the back knee is rotated slightly inward.
6. Misplacing their weight on the board while riding
The Problem
Just like beginner surfers often misplace their weight while they paddle, first-timers also struggle with weight distribution when they get to their feet. If you’re standing too far back on your board, the wave will roll underneath you. If you’re too far forward on your board, you’ll ultimately nosedive.
The Fix
The solution to pop-up in the center of your board, with your weight slightly forward so you can drop into the wave. Then, continue to adjust. Move forward if you need to gain speed and backward if you need to slow down.
7. Not looking down the line
The Problem
If you’re failing to turn down the line and ride a green, open-faced wave, it could be because of your head. The board tends to move where you look, so if you’re looking straight, then you’ll surf straight until the wave breaks behind you and you’re riding white water.
The Fix
The solution is simple, look down the line! As soon as you begin your pop up, turn your head and look the direction you intend to go. Once you’re too your feet, point your arms in the same direction, so your shoulders turn down the line, shifting your momentum across the waves face rather than in front of it.