Three reasons why new surf anglers aren’t catching fish

Many new surf anglers don’t catch fish because they don’t understand how surf fishing is different. It’s actually very easy once you know how. This article will help new surf anglers get started the right way.

Surf fishing is so easy to get into for many new anglers. They just buy a surf rod, buy some bait, and start fishing. If they don’t catch fish, they assume there aren’t many fish in the surf. Well, I’m here to tell you the surf is full of fish if you know how to fish properly and you can surf fish every beach successfully.

Reason #1

The first mistake new surf anglers make is not understanding how the tides affect surf fishing. Surf fish depend on the tides for their food supply. As the tide moves in and out, the surf bait moves (or rather sweeps) toward the predatory fish. The currents produced by the tides provide the best opportunity to catch fish. At low tide, the surf fish are inactive.

Reason #2

The second mistake new surf anglers make is assuming that the water on the surf line is the same everywhere, when knowing how to see where the fish are in the surf can make all the difference in the world. One thing about surf fishing that all forms of fishing have in common is that fish like structure. It’s where they congregate to eat. The water near the surf line also has some form of structure that holds fish.

The ocean floor on the beach is constantly changing. The wind, weather, and currents constantly produce sandbars, deeper cavities, and points that form below the surface to produce structure. This is the structure where surf fish congregate to hunt for food. Knowing how to read the surf isn’t that hard, but it sets successful surf anglers apart from those who never catch a fish.

Reason #3

The third mistake new surfers make is not knowing where to get good information about surfing. By that, I don’t mean how to surf with fishing (but that’s important too). I’m referring to reports of surf fishing and where to get them.

Surf fishing reports tell you:

  • Which surf fish are active in the surf?
  • Which bait is the most effective for catching them?
  • Which areas in the surf are taken

This is huge when it comes to catching more fish than you can imagine.

When there’s a run going on, you can’t imagine how many fish you can catch and how easy it is. The fish are actually in a feeding frenzy at that point. The problem is that it doesn’t last long. So, by taking advantage of the surf fishing reports, even a new surf angler can love it. If you miss it for a day or two, all it takes is to get rid of it.

Fish can always be caught in the surf. Even if you missed a run, the surf fishing reports will still provide a lot of useful information. Certain baits become more effective at different times, and the surf reports will report that and much more.

Understanding the tides, learning to read the surf and using fish reports will greatly improve your catch rate. If new surf anglers took advantage of these three aspects of surf fishing, they would discover a phenomenal sport with many hours of fun.

Do you want to learn to surf? 10 things you need to know before you start!

Here’s my list of the top 10 things every beginner surfer should know before paddling!

1. Select the appropriate surfboard and wetsuit!
2.Go to the right place.
3.Go surfing on the right day.
4. Understand rip currents and how to avoid them.
5. Understand the concept of localization.
6. Understand how to ride a wave.
7. Do you know how to stand on your surfboard? 
8. Understand how to get outside (beyond the crashing waves into the green water).
9. Know some of the lineup’s unwritten rules.
10. Have fun surfing. It’s great!

1. Select the appropriate surfboard and wetsuit.

You don’t want to start out on a super thin high-performance short board, or any short board for that matter. If you are learning, you should start on a surfboard that has some width and thickness, preferably a long board. How long depends on how tall you are. The taller the person, the bigger the board needs to be. If you don’t want to be a longboarder, that’s okay, but you’ll get a lot better faster if you use the longboard. A longer board will help you master the basics. From there, you can get smaller as you progress. Remember, in steps. A short board is super wobbly and unstable if you are inexperienced. By starting on a bigger board, you can progress faster, ride more waves, catch the waves you do catch, and have more fun! Besides, choosing the right surfboard is choosing the right wetsuit. Check with your local surf shop about wetsuit thickness for your area. Your average water temperature determines what thickness of wetsuit you should buy or rent. You can also ask the local surfers what they wear.

2.Go to the right place!

You want to go to a beginner-friendly surf spot. If you don’t know one, ask your local surf shop where the best beginner spots are. Weather conditions can quickly turn a beginner-friendly place into a dangerous place. Stay away from heavy coastal breaks, reef breaks, and point breaks. You want a soft, sandy bottom with slowly peeling, mushy waves and a small crowd. You want to learn to surf, not get beat up, held and flogged. Do your homework and this will make the difference between a good first experience or a bad one!

3.Go surfing on the right day!

As mentioned above, every day is different. You have to respect the ocean. It might be your first day off in a month, but if current conditions are 14’W swell @ 13 seconds, it might not be the right day. Unless you’re surfing in a protected cove that blocks most of the swell and doesn’t have a rip current. Waiting for a better day can be difficult, but you want to be safe. If the surf is big, a lot more water moves. Rip currents are generally stronger under these conditions. It is also difficult to surf in bad conditions, as you waste all your energy fighting the current. Please contact your local surf shop again, or check your local surf report. Some surf shops (like ours) have a surf report on their website.

4. Understand rip currents and how to avoid them.

A rip current is a strong narrow current that goes from the coast back to the sea. The return of the water seaward is pushed in by the waves, the wind, and the tide. Don’t panic if you get caught up in a rip current; it wastes energy. Don’t paddle right into it; you’ll get exhausted. You want to paddle parallel to the shore where you see the waves breaking in, to get out of a crack. Most rip currents are not very wide, so paddling parallel to the shore should allow you to paddle out. Keep calm. You want to be able to hold your breath at any time while you are in the ocean. You never know when a wave may break on or in front of you. You won’t be able to hold your breath for long while in a panic, so remember to stay calm. Work with the ocean, not against it. Sometimes (with strong rip currents), you may need to move the rip into deeper water, where the balance is restored and the draught decreases. You can then paddle parallel to the shore and make your way in. Remember, don’t fight the ocean, try to work with it. The ocean is bigger than all of us.

Signs of a rip current:

1. Waves usually do not break completely into the crack (water is deeper in the crack as it is a seaward channel).
2. You can see objects or other surfers being pulled into the sea quickly and with little or no effort.
3. A change in the colour of the water within the crackIt may be cloudier in sediment or greener in depth.

5. Have a basic understanding of localization.

As with life, or even highway driving, surfing has a dark side! Surfers who surf the same spots a lot get the feeling that that spot is theirs. They like to take a sense of ownership of the place. Some locals feel they need to get all or most of the waves. New people who show up are considered intruders. Localism can present itself as someone yelling at you, coming at you, puncturing your tires, waxing your windshield, or even throwing your shoes and/or backpack in the water, among many other tactics. What can you do about it?

1. Be courteous to the locals.If you’re a beginner, you probably shouldn’t be surfing the same surf spots as the locals do until your skill level improves. You’ll probably just get in their way and give yourself and the locals a bad experience.

2. When you’re ready to surf with them, just try to be nice and respect them. You’ll find that most of the locals are regular guys and gals who, if treated with kindness and respect, will respond the same way. (Yes, I know they are exceptions).

3. Don’t come to the local hotspot with a large crowd of people. The locals won’t be happy with you, and you’ll most likely get a negative vibe at the very least.

4. When there are 5 or 6 surfers at a peak and you and your friends show up to go surfing, it’s usually better to paddle along the beach and wait for the crowd to thin out. Let them have the peak they were on first and don’t invade them.

5. Get to know the locals and maybe you’ll make a friend and a surf buddy. They are not all bad!

6. I could go on, but I think you get the point! Do unto others what you would have them do unto you!

6. Understand how to ride a wave.

The first few waves you catch are in white water (already broken waves). You want to catch your first few waves in the prone (lying) position. You have to point your board towards the beach, wait for a white water wave to roll in, then lay down on your board and practise driving to the shore. After you’ve done that, you can practise paddling to catch the wave. To paddle, you have to dig deep and really try to stay smooth and keep the board in a planing position. The paddle method will be more difficult. Don’t go too far back on the board as you will push water.

How to Stand on a Surfboard

Before going to the beach, practise doing pop-ups. Lie on the floor with your hands close to your chest, but not too far. You want to be able to push off your board to get up in one fluid motion without touching your knees. Practice lying down, popping up, and landing sideways in a surfer’s stance. Jump back to a prone position and repeat, until you can do 20 of these popups without stopping. Remember, it will be harder in the ocean because you and the water will move. Your board will not be as stable as the floor. You don’t want to practise getting on your knees. This is a bad habit and will make progress much more difficult. Your first surfing experience will be much better if you master this before you ever get in the water! Remember to stay off your knees.

8. Understand how to get outside (beyond the crashing waves into the green water).

Look for a channel or a place where the waves don’t seem to break. These spots will have cloudier and deeper water. You may be thinking, “Hey, that sounds like a rip current. Don’t I want to stay away from that?” If they make you uncomfortable, yes, at least stay away. Do experienced surfers use the rips and channels to get into the lineup? Yes, surfers work with the ocean, using rips and channels to get into the lineup easily and faster. When working with the ocean, the crack can help you get past the breaking waves more easily. It is still important that you remember your limits. Have you looked at the surf report? Do you know how big the swell is? Are you in shape to handle the current conditions and the size of the swell? all important factors to consider. With a longboard, it can be difficult to get out when there is a lot of wild water to fight against and without a channel or a crack to help you. You can paddle straight onto the white water and before it hits you, you slide off your board and flip your board over while holding the rails, pulling the board down as the wave sweeps over you. You need to quickly flip your board and start paddling before the next wave or whitewater hits you. With persistence, you can make it out, depending on how big the day is, how much white water you’re dealing with, and how strong and determined you are. This is called “spinning turtle. Shortboarders can duck, but this is a beginner’s article, so we’re not going there. You can paddle straight onto the white water and before it hits you, you slide off your board and flip your board over while holding the rails, pulling the board down as the wave sweeps over you. You need to quickly flip your board and start paddling before the next wave or whitewater hits you. With persistence, you can make it out, depending on how big the day is, how much white water you’re dealing with, and how strong and determined you are. This is called “spinning turtle. Shortboarders can duck, but this is a beginner’s article, so we’re not going there. You can paddle straight onto the white water and before it hits you, you slide off your board and flip your board over while holding the rails, pulling the board down as the wave sweeps over you. You need to quickly flip your board and start paddling before the next wave or whitewater hits you. With persistence, you can make it out, depending on how big the day is, how much white water you’re dealing with, and how strong and determined you are. This is called “spinning turtle. Shortboarders can duck, but this is a beginner’s article, so we’re not going there. You need to quickly flip your board and start paddling before the next wave or whitewater hits you. With persistence, you can make it out, depending on how big the day is, how much white water you’re dealing with, and how strong and determined you are. This is called “spinning turtle. Shortboarders can duck, but this is a beginner’s article, so we’re not going there. You need to quickly flip your board and start paddling before the next wave or whitewater hits you. With persistence, you can make it out, depending on how big the day is, how much white water you’re dealing with, and how strong and determined you are. This is called “spinning turtle. Shortboarders can duck, but this is a beginner’s article, so we’re not going there.

9. Know some of the lineup’s unwritten rules.

1. The #1 unwritten rule in surfing is that the surfer closest to the curl has the right of way. If you are on the shoulder of the wave and someone else is deeper (closer to where the wave is starting to break), they have the right of way. Always watch before hitting the wave. Beginners are notorious for simply paddling into something, unaware that someone else already has the wave. For this reason, I try to stay away from beginners. I don’t want to collide with anyone while I’m surfing. This is one rule you don’t want to learn the hard way. It can lead to collisions, being yelled at, or, in the worst case, cause a fight. I think it’s better to know the rules before this happens.

2. When paddling back, it is your responsibility to stay clear of other surfers who are on the waves. That may mean paddling far from the starting area and then back to the starting position. You don’t want to get in anyone’s way. If you find yourself in a surfer’s way, riding a wave, pick a direction and keep going that way. Changing direction at the last minute makes it difficult for the surfer riding the wave to steer around you! The surfer, who is riding the wave, also has the responsibility of trying to avoid the collision. Most of the time, they should be able to avoid you. But sometimes it means destroying their wave. In that case, they will not be happy. If you find yourself in this position, try to apologise and paddle wide next time.

3. Don’t be a golf hog! If you just caught a wave, you don’t want to paddle back out and sit deeper than everyone else. If you’ve just had a wave, give other surfers a chance! It is better to wave than to wave all the time. I understand that sometimes beginners don’t paddle to the starting spot and therefore never really get waves. The better surfers usually get more waves because they know where to go and have the ability to take off at the critical part of the wave. As you get better, you learn where you want to be, catch more waves, and hopefully give a beginner a few waves to play with. Beginners should try to find a place where there are not many other people. This way, they can catch a lot of waves, learn to surf faster and have more fun without the negative atmosphere!

10. Have fun surfing. It’s great!

Don’t get discouraged too early and don’t expect too much of yourself. Surfing takes a while to get good at, but it’s still fun while you’re learning! Try to have fun and enjoy it.

There is no other sport like surfing! I hope this article helps make your first browsing experience a great one! I was so excited when I first started surfing, and I hope you’ll share in that excitement!

Surf Lessons: Learn to Ride the Waves

Do you want to learn to surf but don’t know where to start? Surf lessons are all about taking your surfing to the next level, no matter how much experience (or lack thereof) you have. It’s all about overcoming fear, learning water safety, expanding your ocean and wave knowledge, and returning to the true essence of surfing—fun and relaxation!

You are never too old to learn to surfPeople of all ages are drawn to the magnificence of our beautiful oceans. If you feel the call of the sun and the surf coursing through your veins, it’s time to find an instructor!

Learn to Surf—Find an Instructor

The internet is a great place to find instructors and research their backgrounds and qualifications. Regardless of the reason you seek a surf instructor, there are a few things you should consider mandatory: a long history of surfing (preferably professional to some degree), up-to-date first aid certification, proven (preferably certified) surf rescue experience and a thorough knowledge of wave, weather and wind conditions (which should be in line with the instructor’s experience, i.e. the more time they have spent in the water, the better their understanding of the ocean and weather conditions).

There are many excellent surf instructors around the world. Many have been involved in competitive surfing or at least spent enough time in the water to have a solid understanding of the demands of the sport.

If you’re on vacation by the sea and just want to experience surfing as a holiday activity, it shouldn’t be too much trouble to find a local surfer or surf school who can give you a quick overview of the basics and give you a quick ride or two on a plate. In some of the more famous surf spots, you will probably even be able to find a pro surfer to guide you to your first wave.

If you’re a little more serious about surfing, or if you want the complete surfing experience in the hands of a true professional, there are many professional or ex-pro surfers who can guide your development as a surfer and help you get the most out of it. from your browsing experience.

Surfing greats like Nancy Emerson, Corky Carroll, and Frieda Zamba offer surf lessons on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Whether you’re a beginner and very wet behind the ears, or a professional surfer on your own, these experienced professionals can help you hone your skills and develop your style, giving you more confidence in the water and your ability to navigate the waves. and the surf zone.

Depending on how serious you are about the sport, you can choose from surf lessons for a few hours at a time to surf clinics and camps for a more intense workout. You can learn to stand on a board and catch a small wave in a day, or work on shape, style, and ocean awareness with surf legends over several days to a week or more.

Going alone?

You may be excited and ready to surf, but don’t jump the gun. It can be tempting-especially at a beachfront location or if you have friends who surf-to just grab a surfboard and go for it.

This is a bad idea for two reasons: first, it’s much easier to learn the right way to do things initially than to correct bad habits; and second, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on surfing equipment (and especially on a surfboard) before you have had any training and experience, because you don’t know which board best suits your style of surfing.

Many surf schools offer you equipment to learn with. If you come across one that doesn’t, it’s usually possible to rent the necessary gear from a surf shop. Take a few lessons first, maybe try a few different surfboards in different shapes and sizes (available to rent from surf shops), then think a bit more about which board is best for you. Your instructor should also be happy to give you some advice on where to start.

Another good reason not to go it alone in the first place is that surfing, like any sport, can be dangerous for the uninitiated. The awesome power of the ocean does not discriminate based on experience, and even small breaks can have dangerous cracks and currents. It is always much safer to swim and surf alone in the company of fellow beachgoers. That warning stands for new and experienced surfers alike—an unfamiliar break is always potentially dangerous.

Any surf instructor worth their salt will ensure that you only surf in conditions that are safe for your experience level. Aside from the possibility that a serious spill could keep you from surfing for good, surfing in big water without the necessary experience is irresponsible at best, suicidal at worst-never surf in conditions you’re not ready for, and experiment only under the watchful eye of a professional surfer or an experienced buddy!

Most surfers will tell you that surfing is more than just a sport; it’s an existential experience, the ultimate thrill, and it can be addictive. So get an instructor, put on a suit, grab a board and hit the beach!

7 Ways to Choose the Best Surf Course on the Web

Surfing is a very enjoyable sport, but without proper training and training, it can be very dangerous. It may seem easy when you look at the professionals who do it, and it’s equally tempting for you to give it a try. You may be thinking, what can go wrong with a board and some small waves? The answer is many. Surfing uses many natural elements, namely wind and water. Both are unpredictable and something to be careful with. Looking for the right surf course and good training stands for a fun and safe surfing activity. Here are seven ways to choose the best surfing course on the web.

1. Location

It is best and most convenient to find a school that offers a great surf course near you. Check the net for the nearest school near you. Isn’t it great to know that the best surf school is just around the corner?

2. Price:

When looking for a surf course, it is best to look at what is in the package and choose what suits you and your budget. It doesn’t hurt to call your chosen school and inquire about their packages and prices, or clarify any questions you may not have answered on their website. It’s good to make sure you avoid unexpected expenses that could ruin your day.

3. Duration:

When registering for a surf course, it is good to plan your schedule and look at the duration of the surf lesson. Check how many hours per session and how many sessions in a month there are. A planned training programme ensures that you don’t miss any of your surf lessons.

4. Safety

Your safety is the most important thing. If you are applying for a surf course, check the location where the school holds their training programme and make sure it is safe and frequented by surf beginners. Make sure the beach is patrolled by lifeguards in the surf and make sure your school teaches you about cracks and how to get out in case you get caught in them.

5. Skilled instructor

In every sport, there is a mentor, someone who trains you to become the best. When looking for a good surf course, ask about the instructor’s background, achievements, and expertise in surfing. Make sure they have the proper training and experience. You need to be able to trust and feel comfortable with whoever is going to handle your training.

6. Insurance

Check if the school has insurance. Ask if they will cover any injuries that may happen to you during your education.

7. Novice to Pro

Check whether the surf school only gives beginner’s lessons or whether they also offer pre-training courses. Once you’ve perfected the beginner training, you may want to step it up a notch and become a pro.

There are so many benefits to using the internet to watch a surfing course; it is simple, easy, fast and packed with information. Now that you know what to look for, all you need to do is place your fingers on that mouse and start clicking to find that perfect surf course!

The ABCs of surf

Do you want to learn to surf? Of course, you most likely have a romanticised idea of gliding seamlessly over a waterfall of water, going up and down the wave, driving all the way to the beach… right?

wrong. Chances are, if you’ve never surfed before, you should be prepared for it to be, let’s say, a very humbling experience. I hate to tell you this, but learning to surf isn’t easy. Of course, anyone can take a lesson and be technically “surfing” on slack, crumbling waves in minutes. But come on, any surfer will tell you this isn’t really surfing. If you want to experience the thrill of surfing, so indescribable that it is said “only a surfer knows the feeling”, you will need a lot of practice, patience, and most likely some helpful tips and suggestions.

If you stick with it, past the embarrassing wipe-outs and the initial awkwardness, you’ll eventually experience that great “thrill,” but be warned: it could change your life!

Paddling on a surfboard: 3 pointers for the inexperienced surfer

1) Sit on your surfboard with your hips balanced and centered.Imagine your surfboard is like a seesaw; you want the nose and tail to be evenly balanced. If you sit too far forward, your surfboard will pearl. Too far back and you will sacrifice speed and struggle to catch waves. As a rule of thumb, the nose of your surfboard should remain only a few centimetres above the water while paddling.

2) ‘Ankle to Ankle’: To avoid swinging back and forth (side to side), keep your ankles glued together. This may seem difficult at first, but the key to paddling effectively is a strong core. Keeping your ankles together as you paddle your surfboard will tighten your core and improve your balance. This simple trick will undoubtedly be beneficial.

Make a bowl with your hands as if you were holding water in it for drinking. This is how you want your hands to be when paddling. Stretch your arms straight out one at a time and reach your cupped hands deep down and follow the whole way. Try to keep your shoulders or hips from swinging too much by keeping your core balanced and straight. This helps your surfboard across the water to improve speed and, ultimately, makes it easier to paddle.

Pay attention to which surfers seem to catch the most waves. Look closely at them and note their paddle shape. Are their ankles apart? Is the nose of their surfboard only a few inches above the water? Is their paddle stroke even and steady? Chances are they’ve been surfing for years, so don’t worry if you don’t catch as many waves as they do. Learning to surf is a process that takes time and a lot of practice.

Practice your posture on the beach first.

The very first thing you need to know before attempting to stand on a surfboard is whether you are a “regular” or “goofy” surfer. No, not if you look crazy when you surf, because trust me, all beginner surfers look crazy while learning to surf.

So what am I talking about? Well, the terms “regular” and “goofy” refer to which foot you naturally put forward on your surfboard. A’regular’ footer surfs with the left foot forward, while a ‘goofy’ footer surfs the opposite, right foot forward. If you’ve ever tried skateboarding or snowboarding, it’s usually the same attitude.

Unsure? These three techniques should help you figure it out:

#1 As if you were surfing, bend your knees and find a relaxed and balanced position.Try to determine which foot feels most comfortable forward. Usually, the stronger foot is placed back to help the weight on the tail of the surfboard when turning.

#2 Lie on your stomach as if paddling, then quickly rise into your surf stance.Notice which foot you naturally put forward.

This simple trick requires help from a friend. Find a flat place to stand, close your eyes and relax, and without announcing it, have your friend push you slightly in the back so that you naturally step forward. The foot you place forward to find your balance will most likely reflect your natural surfing stance.

Still not sure? Don’t worry, you should be able to figure it out after a few rides.

It is important to always put your belt on your back foot. This prevents the belt from getting tangled around your legs.

Where should a beginner learn to surf?

If you have never surfed before or are still in the learning phase, you may need some suggestions for choosing a suitable beach to learn to surf. Let’s start with a simple explanation of the different types of surf breaks:

A) Beach Breaks: Sandy bottom in shallow water near the shore.Often, these waves break best near piers or rock jetties. The shape of the wave is formed by the shifting contour of the sand below. Therefore, wave quality can vary widely seasonally or even daily as underwater currents constantly adjust the position of the sand below. Waves on the beachA beach break is probably the best place for a beginner to learn to surf (initially). The shallow water makes it easy to get up if you fall off your board, and the sandy bottom usually has few hazards to get on. Watch out for swimmers, though! Most beaches have special zones for swimmers only in the summer. Look for the “blackball flag” and stay clear of that area. Because you are now a surfer, you should stay in the surf zone from now on.

B) Reef Breaks: These waves are formed by the bottoms of rocks or reefs.Some of the world’s most treacherous waves break on a very shallow coral reef. Oahu’s world-famous “North Shore” consists almost exclusively of shallow reef breaks. As a beginner, you may not be ready to conquer giant spittle barrels yet. Don’t worry, the best thing about reef breaks is their diversity. As you progress beyond the initial stages of learning to stand up, you will most likely want to head for a reef break with gentle, sloping waves. Reef break wave tip: look for the “longboard” spots. Reef breaks can offer longer rides than beach breaks and give you the opportunity to really feel the sliding of your surfboard under your feet. That first ‘face’ The wave you catch will stay with you forever. Note: Reef holidays can often be busier than beach holidays, so make sure you master the basics (paddling, turtle diving, and quickly flipping your board) to avoid collisions with other surfers.

C) Point Breaks: Some of the best formed and longest rides are available at Point Breaks.Breaking fittingly against a ‘point’ These waves usually curve around the outer edge of a bay or peninsula and can have sandy, rocky, or reef bottoms. Well-known examples are my personal favorites, Rincon in Santa Barbara or Honolua Bay, Maui. If you’re unfamiliar with these places, do a Google search and you’ll see pictures of long, smooth, perfectly formed waves begging to be ridden. point break wave. The kind of waves that the daydreaming student surfer would scribble on his or her notebook during class…just perfection! Note: Perfection doesn’t usually go unnoticed, so be prepared to battle it out with a bunch of other wave-hungry surfers looking for that perfect ride. Please note: intermediate and advanced surfers only.

D) The Estuary: Estuaries are essentially beach breaks with sandy bottoms, but under the right conditions, they can occasionally rival the shape and form of one of the best reef or point breaks around.Surf breaks in Rivermouth are usually triggered after a hard rainstorm when a bout of water trying to reach the sea pushes a temporary accumulation of sand in just the right place to channel the incoming swell into jacking walls of water. Note: Beware of water pollution in urban drainage areas.

In short, stick to the beach breaks while you master the basics of paddling and balancing on your board, but don’t be afraid to head to the ‘longboard’ reef breaks for a real adventure!

Surfing conditions for the beginner

The following is a mini-glossary of surfing-related phrases and keywords, some of which have been used so far:

A black-ball is a yellow flag with a black ball in the centre that is used by lifeguards to warn surfers of an area prohibited from surfing.

Barrel: The ultimate ride is when the crest of a wave folds over itself, forming a cylinder shape with enough room to provide a “tube” for the surfer to ride through. Related terms withdrawn; chained, pitted, tubed or otherwise walking; dirty pits; the green room.

Dropping in: Refers to the critical point when a surfer gets up on a face wave that is upside down. (Dropped on), used to describe the act of a surfer incorrectly riding the same wave in front of another surfer. Also see: snake

Face-Wave: The crest of a wave that surfers ride. usually breaks at the outer peak. can be considered the opposite of whitewashed waves.

Surfing-Riding the Waves

What is surfing?

Surfing is a surface water sport in which the person who wants to surf uses a surfboard to travel along a breaking ocean wave. Such waves are called “surfing,” and hence the activity is called “surfing.”

Surfing’s beginnings

Surfing originated in ancient Polynesia, where the chief was the most skilled rider and the ruling classes had access to the best beaches. This activity was noticed by Europeans in Tahiti in 1767 and has now become one of the most popular forms of adventure sports on beaches around the world.

Types of surfing

There are three main types of stand-up surfing that are widely practiced. These are

 Longboarding: This type of surfing is performed using a type of surfboard known as a longboard. The longboard is primarily a single-fin surfboard with a large round nose and a length of 2.7 to 3.7 m.

Shortboarding: A new type of surfboard has become widespread since the 1960s. These planks are between five and seven feet long, with a pointed nose and a round or square tail, usually with three skegs (fins), but sometimes with two or even five.

o Tow surfing: The ancient Polynesians could not have imagined this unique form of surfing.In this type of surfing, the surfer is dragged into a breaking wave by a partner piloting a boat or helicopter with an attached towline. This is usually done when the wave is too big or too fast.

Some other sports that are variations of surfing include pedal boating, sea kayaking, kite surfing, and windsurfing.

Andy Griffiths, a surf enthusiast (or as his friends call him, a surfing “crazy”), has travelled the world in search of the best places to surf. His travels have taken him to almost all the surfing destinations around the world, and his articles about them are both informative and interesting.