Discover The Basics To Surfing, Class 1 – The Right Surfboard

There a few steps you need to take when learning to surf.

1: First choose the right board

2: Next you will have develop your paddling skills

3: Learn the art of getting out through the breakers, by duck diving or rolling

4: Then the fun part, catching the wave

5: Last of all, you can now learn how to pop up or stand on your board

In this article we will cover the first step, how to choose the right surfboard. Most people like to go out and buy the best looking, and stylish board possible, but these are normally not for beginners.

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.

If you start on a longer board, you will be able to learn your balance before moving to a shorter surfboard. Find a board longer then 6 feet and 10 inches, you can go right up to 12 foot or more if you want, there will certainly be plenty of flotation. The problem might be getting it out past the breakers and turning it around to catch a wave, I suggest around 7ft to 8ft.

So you got your eyes on a big old board around 7 to 8ft, what’s it look like… who cares? If it can hold you up that’s all that matters, dings will not affect you because you wont be doing anything to tricky or tackling large waves. However while the board can look crappy, you don’t want the fiberglass peeling away from the foam, if water can reach the foam, it will soak into it and weigh you down. Then you will never get the speed to catch a wave.

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.

Most importantly when you get your first board is to get a leg rope. You might hear horror stories of the board getting dragged under then getting pulled back towards you like a bungee and knocking you out, but this will only happen in huge swell, which I hope you will not be tackling when learning to surf.

If you go out without a leg rope, or an old one that snaps, I can guarantee you will loose your board. Swimming in the ocean is dangerous, you have rips, gutters, sweeps and waves knocking you about, it is also hard to see anybody through the waves.

Even the strongest of swimmers, will use up a lot of energy and time, trying to reach their board. The surfboard will be light enough for the waves to pick it up and move it away, however you will have to much drag in the water. Besides the obvious danger, of the sweep taking you into a rip, the hassle of swimming into shore will ruin any session, trust me you don’t want to be stuck without a surfboard.

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.