Transitioning from a beginner surfer to an intermediate surfer can feel challenging. No wait, it is challenging. Especially if you don’t have regular access to waves, you’re juggling work or family life, or your body isn’t as flexible as it used to be.
Fortunately, even when you aren’t able to get into the water, you can still practice your surfing skills on land. Here are 7 tips that will rapidly improve your surf skills.
Beginner vs intermediate surfers
But first: when are you a beginner or intermediate surfer?
- A beginner surfer doesn’t paddle out alone yet and mainly rides broken, white water waves. The end-stage of a beginner surfer would be that he or she can catch and ride unbroken waves on their own, going straight to the beach.
- An intermediate surfer does paddle out alone, knows how familiar surf breaks work, what the hazards are, and surfs along the face of the wave, frontside and backside. You can do basic maneuvers, including a bottom turn, top turn, and cutback.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on to the tips.
7 Tips for beginner surfers
1. Spend as much time watching waves as possible
The key to becoming a better surfer is to be in the water as much as possible AND to have patience, a whole lot of patience! Nothing teaches you more than the ocean does. Reading the ocean is the first thing surfers need to learn. Once you start reading the ocean, you will never look at waves the same way.
As a beginner surfer, you learn to read the white water in front of you. Where are the broken waves, where are the rip currents, are there any rocks, how many people are there around you?
If you can’t access the ocean, watch surf videos. Watch how a wave breaks, how the surfer draws his or her path on the wave, and where the crucial pop up point is in the line-up. This will help you see your own path better once you’re in the water.
2. Use your eyes and head
Now, the key to seeing a path you can surf is, obviously, by using your eyes. But most beginner surfers have their eyes pointed at their feet or the nose of their board. This often makes them wipe out. Why? Because where you look is where you go. Your body follows your head.
Look at the face of the wave as you paddle in. This way, you are more in control of where you end up. Looking to your right and left as you paddle, will show you how the wave is breaking and it allows you to check if any surfers are paddling for the wave who have priority.
3. Position yourself correctly on the board
Make sure that you keep your equilibrium on the center of the board. You can lie on your board in calm water, or on your bed (just take the fins out). Then check: if the nose dips under, you’re too far forward; if the board feels heavy or stalls, you’re too far back. Adjust until the board feels balanced.
Also keep your head lifted and look forward, which naturally shifts your weight slightly back. Relax your shoulders and keep your legs together with your feet light on the board. Practice paddling in this position to build muscle memory.
4. Take it step by step (especially when anxious)
Surfing is not only a physical sport; it’s a mental challenge as well. Beginner surfers who end up in waves way above their head (figuratively and literally), can get so freaked out that they lose their surf stoke, or worse, injure themselves (or others).
Too much anxiety can make you panic and freeze. And that is the last thing that you want to happen in the water.
It’s perfectly okay and normal to be scared. After all, stepping out of your comfort zone is how you learn. But if you know that you are way beyond your capabilities, it’s better to listen to your body and go find a spot with smaller waves.
Read more about reducing anxiety in the surf and on land.
5. Buy the right board
The biggest mistake most beginner surfers make is that they buy a shortboard too soon. What they’ll notice is that they don’t catch as many waves on a shortboard as on a foamie, mid-length, or longboard. This makes it way harder to transition to an intermediate surfing level.
A shortboard just doesn’t have as much volume and is harder to stay balanced on. Beginner surfers still need to build up paddle and core strength. What they lack in paddle power can be compensated by a surfboard with more volume.
Choosing the right board allows you to paddle effectively, catch more waves and makes sure you can perform the best you can.
6. Work on your strength, endurance, and flexibility
To improve your surfing, you need strength, endurance, and flexibility. Besides surfing and training in the water, there are plenty of ways to build a strong body at home. Dryland exercises are extremely helpful for your pop-up, your ability to catch waves, and your paddling technique.
One of the best ways to get fit and flexible is by practicing yoga. Yoga and surfing are like two sides of the same coin. That’s why I keep practicing and teaching yoga, it’s incredibly beneficial for your surfing skills.
Check out my youtube yoga class below, designed for building strength in the core and shoulders:
7. Get some surf coaching
Of course, you can learn to surf completely on your own. Why not? But the quickest way to progress is to have someone hold a mirror up to you so you can see all the lovely mistakes you’re making. 😉
Yes, it can be confronting, but the tips you’ll get and the motivational push will speed up your learning curve significantly!
10 beginner surfer FAQ’s
1. What’s the best surfboard for beginners?
For most people over 1.70 meters tall, a long, wide soft-top board (around 8–9 feet) is ideal. It’s stable, easy to paddle, and forgiving when you fall. Once you’re confident catching waves, you can move to a hardboard.
2. How do I know where to position myself on the board?
Lie down so your toes are just touching the tail. If the nose dips under, you’re too far forward; if it feels sluggish, you’re too far back. Keep your body centered along the board’s stringer (middle line).
3. How do I pop up quickly and smoothly?
Practice your pop-up on land: start lying down, push up with your hands, and bring your front foot forward in one motion. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
4. What’s the best way to paddle efficiently?
Keep your body still and use your arms in long, deep strokes close to the board. Keep your head lifted slightly to reduce drag, and avoid splashing.
5. When is the best time of day to surf?
Depends on your location, but mornings and late afternoons are usually best because the wind is calmer and waves are cleaner. Check the local tide and swell reports before heading out.
6. How do I read waves and know which ones to catch?
Start by watching the ocean for 10 minutes. Look for waves that break gently and consistently. Position yourself just beyond the breaking waves, and paddle early to catch them before they peak.
7. What surf spots are safe for beginners?
Choose sandy beach breaks with small, slow waves and plenty of space. Avoid crowded spots, reef breaks, and strong rips until you’re more confident.
8. Do I need to be really fit to start surfing?
You don’t need to be super fit, but good swimming skills, basic core strength, and stamina help a lot. You’ll get fitter naturally the more you surf.
9. What should I wear when learning to surf?
A wetsuit is great for colder waters, while a rash guard or bikini work in warm climates. Always wear sunscreen and maybe use a surf hat for sun protection.
10. How can I get over the fear of big waves or wipeouts?
Start small and build confidence. Practice calming breathwork and falling safely (covering your head). The more time you spend in the ocean, the more natural it will feel.
In short
The best way to improve your surf skills as a beginner surfer is to spend as much time in the ocean as possible. But when that’s not available to you, you can do dry-land exercises, yoga, watch surf videos, and get some surf or yoga coaching.