Ocean Confidence for Beginners: Build It Before You Surf

Ocean Confidence for Beginners: Build It Before You Surf

Ocean confidence is not fearlessness. It is knowing what the water is doing, knowing what you can handle, and having a plan when conditions change. You build it in small steps: get comfortable in shallow, calm, lifeguarded water, check your basic swim skills, learn to...
Wipeout Safety in Surfing: How to Fall and Recover

Wipeout Safety in Surfing: How to Fall and Recover

Every surfer wipes out, and most wipeouts are harmless. The ones that hurt people follow a pattern: diving headfirst into shallow water, staying close to the board, panicking underwater, or paddling out in conditions that are bigger than the surfer. Learn to fall feet...
How to Catch Small Waves: Position, Paddle, Pop Up

How to Catch Small Waves: Position, Paddle, Pop Up

You catch small waves by sitting where the wave first steepens, using a board with plenty of float, and paddling hard for a few strokes before the wave arrives, not after. Small waves give you less push, so every mistake in position, speed or timing shows. That is...
How to Prevent Surfing Injuries: A Beginner’s Safety Guide

How to Prevent Surfing Injuries: A Beginner’s Safety Guide

Most surfing injuries are preventable. You prepare your body before you paddle out, ride a board that suits your level, wear the few pieces of gear that matter, read the beach before you enter, and learn from an instructor who watches you the whole session. Below is...
How to Carry a Surfboard: Beach, Car and Plane

How to Carry a Surfboard: Beach, Car and Plane

The easiest way to carry a surfboard is under your arm, nose forward and tipped slightly down, fins tucked toward your body, with your hand wrapped around the rail on the waxed side. Hold the tail a little behind you, keep the board off the sand, and watch where the...