Learn to surf
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This site was created to help out anyone who had ever wanted to learn to surf. This page features each of the steps that you'll have to master in order to become a competent surfer. If you have any questions and cannot find the answers in these learn surfing articles, head over to the forum. There are lots of helpful members who will be able to offer advice and encouragement — stick with us and you'll be surfing in no time.
We do use surfing terminology throughout, so if you don't understand a term, check the surf lingo list here.
How to Surf
Catching Waves
Get straight into the action and catch some waves from a standing position. A great way to get the rush of riding on a wave.
Duck Diving
An absolute essential if you want to reach the lineup and surf unbroken waves. This is the shortboard guide. This technique takes a lot of practice to master.
Standing on your board
Are you goofy or natural footed? Don't worry if you don't know, you're about to find out.
Catching waves II
Now you can reach the lineup, it's time to learn how to catch clean, unbroken waves — this is surfing for real!
Positioning paddling out
The best way to get out beyond the breaking waves is not always the direct route. Here's how to do it.
Bottom Turns
It's essential that a surfer masters the bottom turn. Both frontside and backside turn technique are covered.
Cutbacks
A cutback is used to return a surfer to the most powerful part of the wave. It looks great when done properly. Now learn how!
Paddling a surfboard
This guide will teach you how to lie on your board in the correct position and paddle around.
Turtle roll
Duck diving for longboards! How to reach the lineup when you surf on a longboard, or are unable to submerge your shortboard of funboard.
How to Pop Up
The correct method to go from lying on your surfboard to standing on a wave.
Sitting in the lineup
When you are out beyond the broken waves, sit back on your board and await the next set wave to arrive.
Wave Position
Learn where to position yourself on the wave in order to keep up your speed and ride the wave.
Speed
Improve your surfing speed with good positioning on the wave, and generating speed with pumping and bouncing.
So that's the beginner surfing lessons taken care of. Here are some more items that will broaden your surfing knowledge, and influence your choice of equipment:
- Surfing equipment for beginners: a high level overview of the gear you'll need
- Surfboards for beginners: get the right board and progress rapidly
- Wetsuit guide: a whole host of articles about how wetsuits work, and the different sizes and types
- Choosing a surfboard leash: make sure you get the right leash, and that you know how to attach a surfboard leash correctly
- Familiarise yourself with surf gear: ensure you know the difference between your wax and your wetsuit boots
If you are thinking about having a surf for the first time, here are some additional things you should be aware. You don't want to hurt yourself, hurt anyone else, or annoy everyone on the beach. the rules can be found on the basic rules of surfing page. ("Surfing" and "rules" in the same sentence? Ahhhhh!).
There are ways to act correctly when you are in the surf, and abiding by this set of rules, known as surfing etiquette, will keep you on the straight and narrow. Surfers are generally a friendly bunch, and tolerant towards beginners who behave in the correct way.
If you've not been fortunate to have seen much surfing, why not watch some videos. There are free ones all over the internet, and we have a large video section on this site. Don't just search for the beginners ones, take a look at surfers of all standards. It will give you a good feel for surfing and you may pick up some valuable techniques. (And inspire you to become a better surfer.)
Thanks for this great guide. The surfing etiquette was particularly useful. It's good to learn these things before getting offside with the local surfers.
Do you have anthing more advanced?
You need a creating speed article. It's the one thing I would find really useful.
Do you have surf instructors in California???
We don't, but there are plenty of other companies who have surf instructors and offer lessons in California.
is there anywhere in Cali that you would reccomend that offers a long term surf camp/school in june/july/aug? (ex., 1 month)
Hello, I've been in kankussurfcamp in the Canary Islands. Spanish islands are near africa, just 4 hours of uk. by air. the islands have amazing beaches and beautiful landscapes. Easily learned to surf and sea and incredible weather. And a large pool. I really enjoyed it, recommend it.
Very Beautiful surfing tips described here along with their good description
I hope others will find it useful also. We add to this section all the time, so please check back regularly.
Hmm, any tips on safely exiting the water in rip tides where the waves break close to shore like at Salt Creek.
@Guest on Sep 3, 2012: No articles, and a quick search on the forum does not reveal anything. We'll have to get something written up. In the meantime, why not post for tips on the surf lessons forum from some immediate gratification. They're a friendly, helpful bunch.
Thank you. Your articles are very helpful. I look forward to seeing additions. My 12 year old daughter surfs the OC coast almost daily.
Thanks for the excellent articles. I'm reading my way through them before I have my first lessons.
I'd love to see some more advanced lessons. Is there anything planned to help intermediate surfers?
Great to hear you are finding these articles useful.
can u surf in Ardmore Oklahoma
Hi, I'm 15 and I actually go to a school with a surfing academy! but I only moved to there recently and have never surfed before but have always wanted to! but i'm really shy and haven't really built up the courage to ask the students in the surf academy to teach me how to surf. is it too late for me to start learning??
IT COOL LIKE THIS
I will be going to Hawaii next week, I can't wait to try surfing for the first time! I come from a background of longboarding, which I heard that it is similar. Thanks for the information on how to surf, it looks like a lot of fun.
Yvon Lebras
I always wanted to learn how to surf and I really want to take some lessons in new-zealand but I don't know were to start do you guys maybe know a place I could take some lessons?
I don’t know how to ask a question on your questions part on your website that you have asked for people to do??
Hi Emily, make sure you are logged in to the site. Head over to the forum learn to surf section and click the new topic button (next to the "search this forum" search box, below the RELATED section)
Hi!
Thanks for the excellent articles.
Even though even if you read it at the water things don't go exactly the same.
After a try, i ended up to join the surf lessons with Atlantic Coast Surf School and it was the best i could do.
We had a lot of fun and teachers are really helpfull and professional.
Plus they have a big range of surfboards, so we could try diferent surf boards.
I defenitly recomend them, awesome!
Hi, I wanna buy a board smaller than a fish and less wide. What type of surfboard should I get?, and how tall?. I’m 5,2 and 108 lb
In April of 1966 I was on vacation in Puerto Rico. I found out the Sheraton Had two new boards and I literally learned to surf right there. Anyone else do that? Anyone else surf prior to that? Thanks Stuart