Surfing isn’t just a sport—it’s an experience. It’s about feeling the energy of the ocean, riding with the rhythm of the waves, and embracing the thrill of the ride. Sure, it takes a bit of patience, balance, and some basic techniques, but once you catch your first wave, you’ll understand why so many people say surfing changes lives.
But before you paddle out, there are a few key things you need to know. Surfing isn’t just about standing on a board—it’s about reading the waves, positioning yourself correctly, and understanding ocean conditions that change by the minute.
Mastering these basics will not only help you progress faster but also keep you safe in the water. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, let’s break it down step by step.
Getting Started: The Essentials
Choose the Right Surfboard
Your surfboard can make or break your learning experience. A bigger board with more volume is your best friend as a beginner. It gives you better stability, makes paddling easier, and helps you catch more waves.
For beginners, longboards and funboards are ideal. They have a wider surface area, making balance much easier. A soft-top surfboard is even better—it’s safer, more forgiving, and perfect for your first waves.
What about those small, sharp-looking boards you see pro surfers using? Forget them for now. Shortboards are harder to paddle, less stable, and require a lot more skill to ride. Stick to a bigger board at first—you’ll catch more waves, have more fun, and improve way faster.
👉 Read more: Best Surfboards for Beginners
Pick the Right Surf Spot
Not every wave is beginner-friendly. Some spots have powerful, fast-breaking waves or rocky reefs beneath the surface—not ideal for learning.
Here’s what to look for:
✔ A sandy-bottom beach (not reef or rocks)
✔ Slow, mellow waves that aren’t too big
✔ A beach break where waves break not too far from the shore
✔ Less crowded areas so you have space to practice
If you’re taking a surf lesson, your instructor will likely take you to a beginner-friendly spot. But if you’re learning solo, take the time to watch the waves before jumping in. Make sure they’re the right size for your comfort level.
Tip: If you’re unsure about the conditions, ask local surfers or lifeguards. They’ll know where it’s safest for beginners.
👉 Read more: Understanding Waves and Surf Breaks
Learn to Read the Waves
Waves aren’t all the same. Some are perfect for long, smooth rides, while others close out too fast or break unpredictably.
For beginners, the best waves are small (knee to chest-high) and gentle.
There are two types of waves to look out for:
🔹 Whitewater waves – Already broken waves, great for practicing balance and pop-ups.
🔹 Green waves – Unbroken waves, ideal for longer rides and learning to turn.
Before paddling out, take a few minutes to observe how the waves break. Are they consistent? Are they closing out too fast? The more time you spend watching the waves, the better you’ll understand how to position yourself for a good ride.
Basic Surfing Techniques
Practice on Land First
Before heading into the water, practice your pop-up (the movement from lying down to standing up on the board). This helps build muscle memory, so when you’re on a wave, you can pop up without overthinking.
How to do a pop-up:
1️⃣ Lie on your board (or the ground) in a paddling position.
2️⃣ Place your hands under your chest and push up like a push-up.
3️⃣ Quickly bring your back foot up first, then your front foot, landing in a sideways stance.
4️⃣ Keep your knees bent and eyes looking forward (not down at your feet!).
🔹 Regular stance – Left foot forward
🔹 Goofy stance – Right foot forward
Not sure which one you are? Try standing on a skateboard sliding across a smooth floor—whichever foot naturally goes forward is likely your dominant surfing stance.
Paddling & Positioning
Paddling is how you move in the water, and doing it efficiently makes all the difference.
✅ Keep your chest slightly lifted and engage your core.
✅ Paddle one arm at a time (not both together).
✅ Keep your board flat on the water—if the nose is too high or sinking, adjust your position.
When waiting for waves, sit upright on your board. This takes practice, but it helps you turn quickly and be ready for the next wave.
How to Get Past the Waves
So, you’re paddling out and ready to surf—awesome! But here’s the thing: getting past the waves is just as important as catching them. You don’t want to be stuck in the impact zone, getting pushed back to shore over and over again.
Finding the Best Route Out
The easiest way to paddle out is by using the channel—a deep-water path where waves don’t break. This lets you reach the lineup without fighting against the whitewater. But sometimes, you have no choice but to paddle straight into breaking waves. In that case, here’s what you need to do:
If the waves are bigger, you’ll need to perform a turtle roll (for longboards) or a duck dive (for shortboards).
Turtle Roll (For Longboards & Funboards)
If you’re riding a longboard or a funboard, you’ll need to turtle roll:
- Paddle toward the wave.
- Just before the wave hits, grab the rails of your board and flip it upside down, keeping your body underwater while holding on tight.
- Let the wave pass over you, then flip back up and keep paddling.
Duck Dive (For Shortboards)
Shortboarders can use a duck dive to dive under the wave:
- Push the nose of your board down with both hands.
- As the board sinks, use your knee or back foot to push the tail down.
- Glide under the wave and pop up on the other side, ready to keep paddling.
Keep your surfboard pointed straight at the wave, never sideways.
If it’s a small wave, try to push the nose of your board over the wave as it rolls under you.
Sitting on Your Board & Waiting for Waves
Once you reach the lineup, you’ll need to sit and wait for the right wave. Sounds easy, right? But balancing on your board can be tricky at first.
- Keep your weight centered on the board.
- Once you feel comfortable sitting, practice quickly turning your board using your hands and feet so you can position yourself for incoming waves.
Catching a Wave & Taking Off
Alright, the moment you’ve been waiting for! When a wave approaches:
1️⃣ Find the right position – You should be far enough out where the waves are forming but not too far that they’re too powerful.
2️⃣ Turn your board toward shore – As the wave approaches, face the beach and start paddling.
3️⃣ Paddle hard and fast – Speed is key! Paddle with strong, deep strokes. You want to match the speed of the wave.
4️⃣ Feel the push – When you feel the wave lifting your board, pop up!
Don’t hesitate—commit! This is one of the hardest skills to master, but with practice, it gets easier. If you wipe out (and you will!), don’t panic. Fall flat, not headfirst, and always cover your head with your arms as you come up.
Popping Up (Standing on Your Board)
Once you feel the wave pushing your board, it’s time to pop up:
- Place your hands flat on the deck, near your chest.
- Push your upper body up like a push-up.
- In one smooth motion, jump to your feet. Keep your stance low and balanced—don’t stand up too straight!
Pro tips:
- Keep your knees slightly bent and arms out for stability.
- Look forward, not down at your feet.
- Your feet should be centered on the board—one foot forward, one foot back.
Riding the Wave
If you’ve popped up successfully and the wave is pushing you forward—congrats! You’re surfing!
- Stay relaxed—don’t stiffen up.
- Keep your knees bent and your weight centered.
- Look in the direction you want to go—your body follows your eyes.
At first, you’ll probably ride straight toward the beach. But as you improve, you’ll learn to angle your board left or right, riding along the unbroken face of the wave—this is where the real fun begins!
Surf Etiquette: The Unspoken Rules
Surfing doesn’t have referees, but there are important unwritten rules every surfer follows. Every surfer is responsible for keeping things safe and respectful. Respecting these will help you stay safe and avoid conflicts in the water.
🚫 No Dropping In – Don’t Drop In (Seriously, Just Don’t)
Imagine waiting forever for the perfect wave, paddling in, and just as you’re about to stand up—BAM! Someone cuts in front of you. Not cool, right?
The surfer closest to where the wave is breaking (the “inside” surfer) has the right of way. If someone’s already riding, don’t take off in front of them. It’s not just annoying—it’s dangerous! You could cause a collision or ruin their ride.
Before taking off, always check your surroundings. If you accidentally drop in on someone, be polite—kick out of the wave and let them continue.
surfer closest to where the wave is breaking (the “inside” surfer) has the right of way. If someone’s already riding, don’t take off in front of them. It’s not just annoying—it’s dangerous! You could cause a collision or ruin their ride.
Before taking off, always check your surroundings. If you accidentally drop in on someone, be polite—kick out of the wave and let them continue.
🚫 Don’t Get in the Way – Avoid the Impact Zone
Don’t sit where the waves break if you’re not catching them—it’s dangerous and blocks other surfers. If a surfer is riding a wave, it’s your job to stay out of their path. The more time you spend in the water, the better you’ll learn to predict where waves (and other surfers) are going.
💡 Best way to paddle out? Use the channel—the calmer area where waves aren’t breaking. This keeps you out of the way and makes paddling out way easier.
🚫 Don’t Snake/Back-Padddle
If someone has been waiting longer than you for a wave, don’t paddle past them to steal priority. It’s greedy and bad etiquette. Cutting in front of others in the lineup to steal a wave is bad etiquette. Wait your turn.
🚫 Communicate
Surfing is a community sport. If you and another surfer go for the same wave, make eye contact and signal who’s taking it. Call out “going left!” or “going right!” if needed, give a friendly apology if you mess up, and keep the vibes positive.
Common Beginner Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
❌ Choosing the Wrong Board
Starting on a shortboard because it looks cool? Bad idea. The smaller the board, the harder it is to catch waves. Beginners should start with a longboard (9’0 and up) or a funboard (7’0-8’0)—more stability, more float, and way more waves!
❌ Paddling Out Without Checking the Conditions
Before jumping in, spend at least 10-20 minutes watching the ocean. Where are the waves breaking? Where are surfers paddling out? Is the current too strong? Don’t try to surf big, fast waves too soon. If the waves look too big or fast for your skill level, don’t force it—find a beginner-friendly spot instead.
❌ Bad Positioning on Your Board
Lying too far forward? You’ll nosedive. Too far back? You won’t catch the wave. The sweet spot is centered on the board—keep your chest in line with the middle and your feet together.
Avoid standing up too soon – Make sure the wave has caught your board before popping up.
Do not look down when standing on your board – Keep your eyes forward, not at your feet.
❌ Not Taking Care of Your Board
A surfboard is your best friend in the water, so treat it well!
✔️ Rinse it with fresh water after every session
✔️ Avoid dings—don’t drop or smash it into things
✔️ Fix any cracks ASAP (water inside = big problems)
✔️ Keep it out of direct sunlight (heat can damage the board)
❌ Skipping Sunscreen & Sun Protection
The sun is brutal, especially at midday. Sunburn can ruin your session (and your skin in the long run).
✔️ Use water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 50+)
✔️ Wear a rash guard or wetsuit for extra protection
✔️ Surf in the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak sun
❌ Giving Up Too Soon
Let’s be real—surfing is hard. You’ll wipe out a lot before you get your first good ride. The key? Keep going! The more waves you catch, the faster you’ll improve.
Safety First! Ocean Awareness 101
The ocean is unpredictable, so always stay alert.
✔️ Check the forecast for wave size, tides, and currents
✔️ Be mindful of reefs & rocks—some spots aren’t beginner-friendly
✔️ Always protect your head if you fall—your board can hit you!
✔️ Hold onto your board—don’t let it fly into others when a wave comes
✔️ Stay calm in wipeouts—don’t panic, just float and wait for the turbulence to pass
✔️ Surf with a buddy—it’s safer and more fun!
Beginner FAQs
1. Do I need to be a good swimmer to surf?
Not necessarily, but you should be comfortable in the water. Being able to hold your breath and stay calm when wiped out is more important than swimming skills.
2. What’s the best board for beginners?
A longboard (9’0+) or a funboard (7’0-8’0)—they’re stable, easy to paddle, and help you catch more waves.
3. Is surfing hard to learn?
Yes! It’s one of the most challenging sports to master. But once you start riding waves, it’s also one of the most rewarding. Stick with it, and you’ll get there.
4. Should I take lessons or learn on my own?
Lessons can fast-track your progress since an instructor will help push you into waves and correct your mistakes. But if you prefer learning solo, practice as much as possible and observe experienced surfers.
5. How long does it take to learn to surf?
That depends! Some people can stand up in their first session, but riding unbroken waves (green waves) usually takes 5-10 sessions. Improving from there depends on how often you surf and how motivated you are.
6. How can I improve faster?
Surf as often as you can—3 times a week is ideal. The more waves you catch, the faster you’ll learn.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Ride!
Learning to surf takes time, patience, and lots of practice—but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences out there. Take your time, respect the ocean, and most importantly, have fun!
Surfing is a journey, not a race. Everyone starts as a beginner, so don’t stress too much about mistakes—just take your time, respect the ocean, keep practicing, and most importantly, have fun!
Now, grab your board, hit the waves, and get ready for an adventure. 🌊🏄♂️
Got questions? Drop them below!