Top 5 Beginner Surfing Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Surfing is FUN! However, surfing without proper guidance can be a haphazard and unenjoyable experience. But don’t worry - we’ve got you covered here at BreakAway Surf. We’re a UK-based community of surfers who love to teach others. That’s actually how the community started: my friend Jun taught me to surf, and I taught others, and now we’re a group of 100+ surfers…and we’re here to help you start surfing, too! So, let’s *dive* right into it (pun intended)! Here are the most common beginner surfing mistakes to watch out for: 1. Picking the Wrong Surfboard Pick a board that’s the right size for you. I cannot emphasize this enough. Using a shortboard to look “cool” is tempting (I know), but it’s tricky to learn on. Small boards are difficult to balance on - it’s like trying to surf on a wet noodle. Not recommended. How to fix: Try a soft-top longboard. Longboards are more stable and easy to paddle with, making them ideal for beginners. The longer the board, the better it carries your weight against the waves. Once you’ve perfected the longboard stance, feel free to experiment with other boards. 2. Paddling the Wrong Way Don’t overlook paddling. It’s the first step towards having a great surf day! Balancing the board comes later - first you have to go into the water, catch a wave, and then ride it. You can’t do this until you learn to paddle right. As a beginner surfer, you may be wasting your energy paddling the wrong way. Here’s how you can paddle properly: How to fix: Centre your body on the board (having a longboard helps!). Paddle your arms using long, deep strokes. You have to keep calm and swim with the waves - not against them. When kicking your feet, be gentle but firm. Avoid kicking with haste and don’t spend more energy than needed. 3. Looking Down Instead of Forward If you’re determined on getting wiped out, go ahead and look down when paddling. I know it’s a natural reaction to swimming, but you’ve gotta go against it and keep your head up! How to fix it: Always look ahead. This helps ensure you catch the waves on time and don’t get wiped out! Your body will naturally follow the current if it can see what’s going on. 4. Popping Up Too Slowly Commitment-phobic? Most beginners are, but popping up too slowly is a surefire way to miss the wave. Delayed actions have consequences. You might get knocked over by the wave if you’re too slow! How to fix it: Practice on land before trying popping up on water. We can help you with this! Our BreakAway Surf community exists to help beginners fix common surfing mistakes like popping up too slowly. Shoot us a DM here, and we’ll add you to our WhatsApp community chat. You can learn from other members there, and also go on trips with us! Most of our meets are free to join (save for faraway surf trips which require accommodation, food, etc.), and you’re always welcome there! As for popping up, just do it fast. You need to commit to it, not just physically but mentally, too. That’s how you’ll be prepared in time for the next wave! 5. Ignoring Surf Etiquette Don’t forget that, just like on land, there are rules at sea, too. The first rule of surfing is simple: respect. Being out in the water, especially as a beginner, has its risks. If you don’t respect the basic rules of surfing, you could put others at risk around you. How to fix it: Don’t be hasty. Always wait your turn and don’t catch someone else’s wave. Be aware of your surroundings and remain vigilant. You don’t want to accidentally hit someone with your limbs or board. Additionally, you must respect the water you’re swimming in. Don’t pollute the area and keep it safe for everyone and yourself! Remember, surfing is a community sport, and everyone in the community deserves to feel respected! **FINAL THOUGHTS** I hope this post helps all beginners out there feel more confident in their surfing journey! Remember, that's exactly what surfing is - it's a journey! Like any sport, developing precision and accuracy takes time. But you'll get there - I promise. We all started exactly where you are! To learn more about surfing and join our meetups, follow us on Instagram: @breakaway.surf See you there, and happy surfing!! - Ahmed, A.K.A. Surf Akhi :)