Tips for learning to surf safely and have fun.

Looking for tips to learn to surf safely and make the experience more fun? Then you’re in the right place.

Surfing is a sport that may seem challenging at first, but with the right approach and some training, it’s possible to catch waves with confidence.

From choosing the right equipment to respecting the rules of the sea, there are several aspects that help you progress well.

We’ll cover all of them in this article so you can start surfing without fear. Keep reading and find out.

All the tips you’ll see below serve as preparation for surfing and your first sessions in the sea.

They blend theory and practice, therefore, all are important for anyone who intends to surf safely. The first one, as expected, concerns equipment. Let’s check it out.

Speaking of which, at Surfing Figueira we rent equipment for beginner and advanced surfers. You know the brands we work with.

 

Wave Reading

Even before entering the water, observe the sets carefully.

Try to understand where the waves are breaking most consistently and what type of waves predominate: rights, lefts, closeouts or more open waves.

A thorough reading allows you to choose the best positioning on the outside and helps avoid areas of current or impact.

A good observation moment can save a lot of effort and make it easier to choose the waves with the most potential to be surfed.

In addition, notice if there are closeout waves (that break all at once, difficult to surf) or more open waves (that offer a wall for maneuvers). This observation helps you position yourself better on the outside (the area where the waves haven’t broken yet), avoids dangerous situations like rip currents, and reduces physical strain.

 

Paddling

Paddling is one of the fundamentals of surfing. To glide better, keep your body well-centered on the board, without your nose being too far out of the water.

Use long, fluid movements, alternating your arms without rushing. Your gaze should be forward, never at your feet or the nose of the board.

When you are paddling to catch a wave, apply more force, but maintain a constant rhythm, without raising your chest too much.

So, to have a good paddle, it’s worth following these tips:

• Lie down in the center of the board with your nose slightly out of the water, but without exaggeration.
• Long, rhythmic paddle stroke, with your arms alternating smoothly.
• Keep your chest low and your gaze forward, never at your feet or the nose of the board.
• When paddling into a wave, give stronger pushes, but without rushing. Many people raise their torso too high at this moment and lose speed.

To make it easier, watch the explanatory video: YouTube: How to paddle

Stand-up

The transition from paddling to standing must be quick and safe, so practice standing up out of the water as much as possible.

Avoid using your knees, as the ideal is to go directly from the lying position to your feet.

Your hands should be beside your chest, and the push-off should be done with your arms, fully extending your elbows.

As soon as your feet touch the board, you immediately seek stability with a good squat, keeping your gaze forward. It’s simpler if you observe the following tips:

• Avoid supporting yourself on your knees: the ideal is to go directly from your arms to your feet.
• Place your hands in line with your chest and push with your arms, forcefully extending your elbows.
• Your feet should land in the center of the board, with a flexed posture and your gaze forward.
• This avoids one of the most common mistakes among beginners: looking at their feet. This throws them off balance and disrupts fluidity.

Youtube: How to take off

Drop

Drop is the moment of descent on the wave face. It requires confidence and the right posture. Avoid leaning back, as this slows the movement and can cause imbalance.

Instead, keep your weight slightly forward, with your knees well bent and your arms loose.

Choose the angle of descent according to the type of wave: more direct in fast waves, more lateral in gentle waves. The more controlled the drop, the better the connection with the wave face. Follow the step-by-step instructions and you will make fewer mistakes:

Keep your knees bent and your weight slightly forward, without fear of going and avoid locking your body or looking down.

The choice of angle is key:

• Fast waves require a more direct drop (almost in a straight line).
• Gentle waves allow a more lateral entry, facilitating the connection with the wave face.

Youtube: Take Off and Heavy Drops

 

Turtle Dive

This technique is used by surfers with larger boards, such as mini-malibus or longboards.

When you are paddling against a wave breaking on top of you, turn the board upside down and firmly grip the rails.

Let your body slide under the board, using the weight of your torso to help you get through the whitewater. It’s important to practice the movement calmly to gain agility and confidence in heavier sets.

Keep in mind that when you are using a larger board (like a mini-malibu or longboard), the classic duck dive doesn’t work. The turtle roll, in this case, is the best option and should be performed as follows:

• Turn the board upside down when you see the whitewater approaching.
• Grip firmly onto the rails with both hands.
• Use the weight of your torso to dive under the wave, calmly and firmly.

 

Remember: it takes practice, especially to maintain control and avoid being pushed back. In longer series, this technique makes all the difference.

YouTube: How to turtle roll

Posture

How you distribute your weight on the board makes all the difference. Keep your knees bent and your torso slightly inclined forward.

Your arms should be loose, helping with balance. Avoid being rigid or locked, and remember that surfing requires fluidity and adaptation.

It’s worth observing experienced surfers and noticing how they use their bodies to adjust trajectories and gain speed.

 

Choose the right board

For beginners, it’s recommended to use a larger and wider board, as it provides more stability and facilitates learning.

A larger board helps maintain balance, allowing you to gain confidence throughout training sessions.

There are also foam boards, always a good option to avoid harder impacts from falls.

 

Learn to paddle and position yourself

Before trying to stand up on the board, you need to practice paddling and learn to position yourself correctly.

Paddle is fundamental to gaining momentum, just as good positioning on the board prevents imbalances and frequent falls.

To improve your paddling, keep your body centered, with your feet together and your arms relaxed, pacing your energy to have the breath for the maneuvers.

 

Choose the right location

In the beginning, opt for beaches with small waves and a sandy bottom to practice, as places with strong currents or large waves can be dangerous for those who are still learning.

Choosing a calm location helps to gain confidence and perfect your technique before facing more challenging conditions.

It is also advisable to observe the sea before entering, analyzing the direction of the waves and identifying possible currents. You can check this on the Surfing Figueira website, in the Windguru forecast.

 

Respect the priority rules

In surfing, there are rules to avoid collisions and maintain order in the water.

One of them is wave priority, meaning that whoever is closest to the peak of the wave has the right to surf it.

Respecting these rules prevents accidents and creates a safer environment for everyone.

 

Learn to fall safely

Falls are part of the process, so it’s important to learn how to fall correctly. Always try to fall to the side or backward, avoiding putting your feet on the bottom quickly to prevent injuries.

Always keep your arms protected and cover your head when returning to the surface to avoid unexpected impacts with the board.

 

Practice in different conditions

This is one of the least observed tips for learning to surf, as it requires a little more dedication.

After gaining some experience in small waves, try surfing in different types of conditions to improve adaptation.

This helps develop the ability to read the sea and react better to unexpected situations. However, do this gradually and within your limits.

 

Stay calm and have fun

Surfing is a sport that requires patience. In the beginning, it’s normal to make several mistakes before catching a wave.

The most important thing is to stay calm and enjoy the experience without rushing, and each session in the sea brings new learnings. The essential thing is to enjoy the process without pressure.

 

Strengthen your body out of the water

Although it may not seem like it, learning to surf doesn’t only happen on the beach, so preparing your body on land helps a lot.

Therefore, exercises like swimming, yoga, and balance training make a difference in performance.

They improve physical endurance, mobility, and body awareness, which makes it much easier to handle the waves, as well as reducing the risk of injury.

 

Study the behavior of the sea

Observing the sea carefully before entering the water is a habit that every surfer develops over time.

Pay attention to the wave sets, the interval between them, the wind direction, and the currents, so that you can make more informed decisions during the session, such as the best spot to enter or the right time to try a wave. Even if everything seems confusing at first, the more you observe, the more you learn.

 

Wear appropriate clothing for each season

Wearing the right gear helps a lot to extend your practice time.

In cold water, a good thermal lycra or neoprene suit protects you from the cold and provides more comfort.

On hot days, a UV shirt can prevent sunburn and skin irritation caused by friction with the surfboard.

Remember: the goal is to keep your body comfortable so you can concentrate on surfing.

 

Pay attention to your breathing

Breathing correctly helps both with paddling and recovery after a fall. When anxiety strikes, it’s common to hold your breath or breathe shallowly. In this case, practicing diaphragmatic breathing on land helps maintain focus and recover your breath more easily in the water.

A simple but useful detail that can prevent panic and make it easier to get back on the wave line.

 

Observe more experienced surfers

Watching others is a practical way to learn. By observing those who have more time in the sea, it’s possible to understand how they choose waves, how they turn while paddling, how they position themselves or move on the board. This constant observation helps develop a more accurate reading and gives ideas to test at your own pace.

 

Bet on regularity, even if for a short time

Training frequently is more beneficial than long, spaced-out sessions. Even if you only have an hour a day, this consistency is what makes the body adapt faster. Over time, each entry into the sea becomes more natural and productive.

Following these tips to learn to surf helps make the journey safer and more fun. With the right equipment, respect for the rules, and patience, anyone, regardless of age, can progress and enjoy the waves.

The most important thing is to practice frequently and never forget that surfing is an excellent way to be in contact with the sea and enjoy nature.

Surfing Figueira has been supporting students in learning to surf since 1999.

Book your lesson online and come experience it with us.