Learn to paddle, read waves, and how to become confident in the take off and pop up positions. Be deliberate with your breathing and heartbeat. Aim to remain as clam as possible in the water at all times. Be respectful of the ocean, everyone on the beach, in the water, out of the water, and online. It’s small world. Get respect by giving respect.

Don’t be in a rush to get to a smaller board, and don’t get stuck ridding any one style or length/volume too long. Change it up and experiment with boards and conditions. It’s hard AF but don’t give up. Set goals and progress can be made at any age.

I took my first ever lesson last week. I absolutely loved it but I love being in the water regardless. Having said that, I have a couple of takeaways.

First, I wish we had spent time on the beach practicing pop ups with a surfboard. We just did it on sand for like ten minutes. I had no concept of what it should feel like to pop up onto the board until I was in the water. Or where I should feel my feet when I was paddling (if that makes sense).

Second, when I take my next lesson, I’m going to ask the instructor to tell me exactly when I should pop up. I know that eventually it becomes intuitive, but in my mind the wave was already turning to white water so I thought I already missed it. I realized later that that was exactly what I was supposed to be riding in.

Finally, have fun and let go of any expectations. I honestly had it in my head that I’d pop right up and go and when that wasn’t happening I almost got frustrated but then checked myself bc regardless I was having a blast.

Here is my advice. It has to do with fun. Surfing is supposed to be fun. Let the instructor know that you are there for fun. Remind yourself that you are there for fun. I say this because surfing looks like it might be easy but is actually really hard, so you have to enjoy the process and not take it too seriously. Do what you are capable of tomorrow and don't get upset if everything doesn't go perfectly.

I hope you really have a great time playing in the waves. While surfing can be a "sport" it isn't really a sport if you aren't competing, so it really should be considered a fun activity.

This is harder to do with an instructor as they will have their own agenda, but focusing on standing up in the first lesson isn't necessarily correct and can lead the learner to focus on the wrong things.

When you're in the early stages it's super-helpful to learn how the board works in the water. How to speed up or slow down and how to change direction are critical skills and don't require you to be on your feet. Even having some knowledge of how to accomplish these things will be helpful.

Surf Simply has a great video on how (not to) conduct a first lesson. It's addressed to someone teaching a friend or loved one, but it's equally applicable for the student as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBZe92y1SfE

It takes time. Just relax and try and have fun

When choosing a wave: make sure you aren’t going to run into anyone. Start paddling waaaay before it gets to you so you can try to match the waves speed. If it’s a big fast breaking wave scoot back and arch your chest up to send your weight to the back of the board. If it’s slower and smaller scoot up a little more (try not to pearl) and keep your head low to have more weight to the front of the board.

Learn how to not exhaust yourself when paddling back out and getting hit by white water. YouTube corking over waves and turtle rolls if on a long board. Having more surface area when learning is best.

And the best thing to do is just to keep surfing. Remember, The best surfer is the one having the most fun. Good luck!

Take a few surf classes with a good coach. Videos won't help in understanding the wave timing on each beach.

Balance board it's great for surfing, but not when you're standing on it. Try making push-ups or rolling side by side with hands on the balance board. It's great for core stability, which is one of the biggest issues for beginner surfers.

“I don’t know how to surf and I am going on a surf trip” lol I thought this was a shitpost. Pay for lessons and stay out of crowded lineups.

If you’re land locked, get to a pool and start swimming laps. Otherwise, go surfing at an appropriate beginner spot and start getting better.

Keep your expectations low and find the fun where the fun can be found.

Also, stay out of the way of others in the lineup.

Watch youtube videos. Take a lesson. I learned on my own after a lesson, pre youtube days and it was just constantly going out and watching and talking to others.

Practice laying on your stomach and popping up to your knees first. When u first get on a board, this should be your first goal. Getting up to your knees so u can learn how to balance on a board. Then eventually learn to pop up to your feet.

Start on a long board with a round nose. Better if it’s a foam board. When you lay on the board, make sure you’re centered on it, not too far back & not too far forward. Remember to wax your board and wear booties in the beginning so you won’t slip.

Practice just sitting on the board in the water. You’ll eventually learn how to do the eggbeater with your feet, to turn the board around when a wave comes.

Tourmaline & OB where they have lessons is where u should start. Stay “inside”, face the board towards the beach and paddle into the whitewater. Do not go out if the waves are big. You’re inviting frustration and trouble.

“Inside” is where the white water is, after the waves break. The shallowest part of the beach is the best to practice on.

The “Lineup” is where the experienced surfers line up to wait for waves, and when you’re a kook, you might not want to be there. Until you’re experienced and can confidently paddle into a wave, you’re just inviting trouble if you’re out there struggling and getting in people’s way.

Surfers are dicks and have gotten worse in some cases. But they’re also very helpful if they see someone that really needs it.

Good luck, have fun and stay consistent. Then, you’ll be shredding in no time.

https://oceansidesurfschool.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop1_FSD570rY4AvUZnUG_Wvp627SQHHAvzyRySOKDxrPQWgeRjU

Matt is one hell of a surf coach, and is the most patient, nicest dude you'll ever meet. He taught my son, who not only had like no skate/surf/snowboard experience, he was afraid of the water! Matt worked with him to overcome his fears, and got him standing on the board.

I did a two day “surf retreat” with San Diego Surf School in PB and it was amazing. Learned everything I needed to know and was surfing in no time. They start you in a big board then work down to something smaller.

After that, I recommend getting the 8 foot foam board from Costco or Facebook marketplace and a wetsuit. It’s about $100 and the best beginner board you can get for the price.

Then just hit it! Tourmaline is a great beginner spot.

I’m just starting my surf journey. I’ve been 3-4 times. I go to Tourmaline cuz I’ve heard it’s the most beginner friendly. I took one lesson which tricked me into thinking “damn I can finally ride a wave”. Not true at all LOL.

It’s a little intimidating to go out there so I go with my cousin who is the same experience as me.

Push ups, balance drills. Soft board, small waves

5. You’re better than you think. Seek out better and more challenging waves. Take your Wavestorm to Pipe, Mavs and just let her rip. As you paddle out yell at everyone to stay the fuck out of your way. Don’t take no shit off anyone.

You must be the guy who teaches surf lessons at Scripps.

5. When that old guy yells at you, just say, "I didn't see you" and you can just do whatever you want.

Mods need to pin this

7. If your struggling to dial in a spot your best bet is to take as many waves as possible. Set waves are your friend- if you can handle them everything else will be a cake walk. At first some of the waves might feel a little tricky so to really get a feel for the wave and the drop I would suggest straightening out on your first 5-10 waves. Last- Don't be afraid to ask questions. When it's early, serene, and the waves are pumping there's nothing better then a good bull session. I like to break the ice with questions like- what are you riding, what state are you from, do you carry your board fins first? Any chatter is good chatter!

Here's what no one tells you when you start surfing. Surfing is bloody hard. You need to go out, there's no other solution. Great advice from u/cuttinged , I have nothing to add. Try not to get overwhelmed, it kills all the fun. Like I just wrote about not losing your mind over surf forecasts: https://thewipeoutweekly.com/dont-lose-your-mind-over-the-surf-forecast/ I write all of these from beginners' perspective, you soon realize everyone's struggling as much as you 🤗

How do I know when the conditions are good for me and my level? Is there a certain time relative to the tide, things I'm looking for in the sea, wind, other info?

No wind high tide. Also some waves but not too big.

Once I'm in the water, how do I know where the good waves are going to be? I see people constantly repositioning, but what are they seeing to know where the good wave spot is and is going?

Real surfers will paddle toward the highest part of the wave or where they see waves breaking. Beginners this is irrelevant.

Paddling form. Sometimes I see people paddle with their chest high, sometimes low, when do you do which? how do I know when to stop paddling and pop up? other important techniques?

Chest high for a shortboard. Lower when paddling hard. For whitewash keep paddling until the whitewash is fully pushing you. Beyond whitewash, as soon as you catch the wave a little after it starts to push you. Shift weigh quickly from nose to tail.

How can I feel exactly where to be on the board? Should I notice something happening with the nose, tail, something else?

You are in the right position when your board is as flat on the water as it can be.

Different stance positions for different waves. When should I be high, low, more forward, more back. Is there a common sequence of stances that suit all or certain waves?

Center of board, forward to go faster, back to turn.

Biggest technical mistakes you see beginners make?

lack of common sense and ability to learn by doing.

These answers are simple, but since it all happens fast it is better to learn by doing it.

Tips help a little but especially for surfing more than any other activity you will learn it by doing it.

I work 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off , when I started I surfed everyday regardless of conditions. I didn’t leave the water till I had popped on on 15 waves , then I called it a day . I didn’t worry about how I think I went I just hit that number . When I was at work I would practice pop ups surf skate and a lot of visualisation. A lot of try times I would improve dramatically on my time away from surfing , I think I would correct bad habits I had picked up. I also you tubed things after every surf , this worked very well for me . I also use my instructor for a few sessions on each return trip , but he won’t surf with me on big days anymore lol .

I really enjoy the YouTube videos from "barefoot surf". They are really helpful and easy on my brain to watch. Often I just let them run on the TV while I do other things.

1. "Research" your break, find out what wind direction is offshore, that'll make good ocean conditions. Tide depends on the swell height and how shallow your water is. For example, my home break completely shuts down on anything over a mid tide due to the water being too deep for waves to break. If it's a reef break, you'll likely want a higher tide to avoid injury.

2. If you're surfing a beach break, the sand shifts and there are deeper sections of water between wave peaks where waves don't break, or at least break softer--you don't want to be there. Just look for where the waves are breaking, if you see a good looking wave pass by 20 yards to the side while no wave passed by you, go over there. HOWEVER, since you're a beginner, don't be directly on the peak, you'll get in a lot of people's way and have a hard time catching waves. Just catch the shoulders of waves that no one is on.

3. A raised chest is universally beneficial as it allows back activation when paddling, which means stronger, more efficient paddling. Beyond that, it is used to raise or lower the nose of your board. For example, if you're paddling for a steep wave, you'd want to raise your chest to raise the nose of the board, thus preventing a nosedive.

As for knowing when to pop up, there's often a WOOSH feeling if you've successfully caught the wave. This isn't always present though, so you may just have to get a feel with it. It's hard to explain, but it feels like your board is being pushed really fast.

4. If you're on a foamie or longboard, your toes should generally be lined up with the end of the board. Otherwise, you want the nose of the board 1-3 inches out of the water with a raised chest. Shift up or down the board to find the sweet spot.

5. Generally a lower stance will be better. A slight bend in the knees will suffice for 90% of situations. Putting weight more forward will give you more speed, putting your weight back will almost serve as a brake. Weight on the tail lets the board turn easier.

6. The biggest technical mistake would be not understanding that WHERE YOU LOOK IS WHERE YOU GO.

I would watch some YouTube videos about pop up and practice popping up on a rug. It's all about muscle memory, try to get the movements and the footing right so you don't have to think too much when actually surfing.

I don't know how surf lessons really work but I've seen lessons only around smaller surf and it's the same areas / times i've taken my wife to teach her. Sounds like you might be taking this a little too seriously which means you're probably gonna have a bad time to be honest. You're not gonna paddle out there and kick the oceans ass with how fit you are. It doesn't work like that. It sounds like you're body is in position to do it's job, the rest is up to you. Go have fun and be willing to laugh at yourself cause you're gonna kook it up

Surfing sux. Not worth ur time. Try running.

You're in a good place, I'd not over think it.

I myself train pretty hard for a sport that I compete in at a professional level, and while fitness helps, there is no replacement for actually surfing. Example, I swim freestyle pretty well and my dryland pop up is amazing, but that only helps a little bit. I still trip over myself and my back/shoulders/arms hurt after about 90min.

My #1 suggestion is to buy your own 8' foamy (like a Catch Surf Log or Wavestorm) and do paddle sprint intervals in actual water. That's more relevant than gym exercises IMO

Hey I’m a surf instructor, excited for your first lesson!

• Number one issue people have is a lack of balance/flexibility/coordination in their pop up. Dry land practicing that would help a LOT.

• You’re definitely strong enough for paddling for 60+ mins, since it’s mostly back and shoulder muscles being used (try to use your back/lats more when paddling since it won’t tire you out as much).

• Don’t fight the wave. So many people try to control every aspect when they start surfing. Just ride the wave, let it control what you’re doing. You won’t have the balance or knowledge to go “against the wave”, so on your first lesson just enjoy riding however the wave lets you. Surfing is supposed to be fun, so let that be the goal of the first lesson as opposed to learning as much as you can.

• Sunscreen.

TLDR: Stretch, drink water, focus on having fun, wear sunscreen

Go to Asseteague. Both state and federal have plenty of space to find a peak to yourself to practice on. Low tide incoming will have the best waves. Don’t trust a surf forecast if it says winds will be light offshore all day. You can bet a seabreeze will show up at some point. Don’t drop in on people. Have fun!

You can surf from like 40th and south. OC is a terrible beach break. Good thing about it is you'll get lots of practice catching waves and popping up. And there is basically no paddling so you wont get tired. Bad thing is you won't get good at paddling though. There just isn't any wave left to practice anything else. But getting waves is always a good skill to have. Rides only last 1 second and maybe 3 if you're good.

You can head over to Asseteague - the first parking lot. Waves there are a little longer. Usually low tide is best.

There is guy on instagram that posts his surfing like everyday. He's super good. Catching waves when there looks like nothing. I think he does lessons. Sorry I don't remember his handle. I quit insta a while ago. Just look through OC surf tags and he'll pop up.

Head over to K Coast (like 36th i think) shop is super good and the staff is super helpful. Best surf shop I have ever been to. They do lessons too.

In OC during the summer, each day there are different streets where surfing is allowed. I hear it on the radio but I’m sure it’s published somewhere. Not saying the waves are good, just that’s where it’s allowed each day.

Head up to K coast and ask about lessons. Lots of cool people there.

Def Assateague is your best bet

A few things:

1. Those conditions are terrible for wave riding. NO ONE is catching anything when it's like that. That said, you can try going more parallel the whitewash to get used timing and hitting the waves.

2. You stutter stepped right before you dropped which kills your speed and momentum, and also means you still not comfortable dropping at full speed. Start slower and work on getting really comfortable with your drop. You have the right idea, but you need to work through the drop a slower pace to really get the timing and foot positioning down. It needs to become muscle memory and then you can gradually increase your pace.

3. Don't bend over when you drop your board. This slows you down even more and is another indicator you still need to work on your drop. You need to be fully upright when you're running for maximum efficiency in your drop.

4. Your feet were off center, which is why you lost your balance as soon as you hit the wave. Again, practice dropping a slower pace so you can get the foot placement correct and be able to do it without thinking.

5. Lastly, while not incorrect, a two-step drop is not that common (a notable exception being Gerardo Valencia). You may want to try different timing with your stride with a back foot first drop, or even try front foot first. Most BFF skimmers drop the board right as the their front foot is about to hit the sand and then step on immediately with their back foot. There's numerous drop videos in the sub's skimboarding resource page.

Yeahhh there's a lot going on here.. watch some videos to get a better idea of how to get on the board more smoothly.. also your stance is kinda whack and pretty unnatural.. your feet look like theyre almost pointing forward. Work on that before you worry about waves

I’m not good enough to say but what helped me get better was dropping it in my running path and stepping onto it, not jumping. Also bend those knees

I can’t believe you stole my move.

1. Practice your drop more. Stop being down to drop the board. Keep a consistent pace. Bend your knees on the board.

2. Apply these to your beach and practice them https://youtu.be/M07eECGkKGk?si=dSTt2cm-eUsFKflI

Jesus man, does everyone need to be taught these days! They're 14 and 15, take them to a place with placid little waves and tell them it's up to them not to drown.

Tell them to look at the shore not the water

Just tell them "when the waves break here don't be there" and they should be all good to go

Charge Nazare

Practice their pop ups on the beach and have them get whitewater waves to boost their confidence before going to the outside.

They won’t be stoked about it, but it will probably help a lot.