Let me stop here and allow you to revaluate what you’re after.

Do you just want to stand up on a board one time so you can add “I surfed” to your proverbial lifetime accomplishment list? If so, there is a super easy solution and here it is:

Rent a giant board, drag it out to some good white water and have a buddy shove you into a wave. You will stand up, and congrats, you’re not a surfer but you CAN say “I surfed once”.

However, if you want to take up one of the least expensive and most rewarding hobbies the human race has ever found… keep reading.

Ever since my first wave on a boogie board at the age of seven I knew I had a passion for the ocean and surfing.

The rush of adrenaline you feel (and possibly even a subsequent dopamine rush) when you catch a wave and nothing more than purely physics and mother nature propel you to a speed great enough to cause the board under you to skim across the ocean so fast you can stand on it is simply better than almost any other feeling the natural world has to offer. Some may even say it’s better than sex. I myself would say you just haven’t met the right girl yet. Then again, others may claim I simply haven’t surfed the right wave yet 😉

Proper Surfboard Search Tips

Use following method on both OfferUP and Facebook Marketplace. Do a search for “surfboard” and then set up notifications for that search term. Next, make sure notifications are “on” for both apps. This will then give you a notification when someone posts a surfboard for sale. Being the first to respond when a good deal arrises is critical in beating everyone else to the board.

Step 2. Paddle training.

Let’s prevent the inevitable shoreline exhaustion, feeling beaten by the world event which is bound to happen if you paddle out into ridable surf without the right amount of physical conditioning.

How to train for your first surf session

Location:
Any (safe) body of water will work.   Don’t have such a body of water nearby to train on? A pool will also suffice. Tie your leash off to the fence (may need to extend it with a rope) and paddle in place. This will get boring so throw some music on and get to it!

Start with a steady pace for the day 1. Go until you feel exhausted and stay close to the shore if in the ocean (15 meters or less). Be sure to balance yourself so the board is even in the water.

*Pro tip: Sensitive nipples? You may want wear a shirt or invest in a decent rash guard as I’ve often seen beginners get horrible nip rash that will prevent you from training for the next week.

• Day 2: Rest
• Day 3: Rest
• Day 4: Repeat day 1.
• Day 5: Rest
• Day 6: Repeat day 1 and add in some sprint paddling, that is, paddle as hard and fast as you can while kicking your feet (if the board isn’t too long) for short bursts. This will replicate the exact type of paddling you will do when you actually paddle for a wave. The rest of the training you do is more about padding out past the break, fighting the current and paddling back out after taking waves.
• Week 2: At this point you may be able to start training every other day. Keep in mind you are going to be building muscle, but that’s not the primary goal. The goal is conditioning your body to be able to paddle for hours on end, day after day when the swell is good.
• Week 3+: Really focus on paddling for an hour straight without breaks. Try to do a two sessions in a single day if possible and also try to go back to back days, training Monday and Tuesday, resting Wednesday and then again go after hard an Friday and Saturday.

Wind and currents

If you’re training on the beach, be sure to start the session with paddling up current or against the wind. This way you have an easier paddle coming back to your launching point.

Once you’ve trained for about three weeks, assuming you were in halfway decent shape when you started, you should be able to paddle roughly a mile non-stop.

Last step: Standing Up

Goofy?

To determine what foot you are putting your leash on you need to know whether you’re a goofy (left foot back) or regular footed surfer. Easiest way to do this, put your feet together and have a friend give you a slight push. Whichever foot leaps first is your front foot (most likely).

Location:

When it comes time to paddle out into some real surf, try to find a decent break but not one crowded with guys who know what they are doing. You will appreciate this tip when you advance and have beginners dropping in on you, taking forever to paddle out becoming obstacles to avoid and simply making your surf session less enjoyable.

First Wave

Paddle in long before the wave actually crests. Go straight and belly ride her. Get a feel for the ocean. Appreciate the power.

Standing

For your first time standing, you can also just go straight. Don’t over think this, but try to pop to your feet straight from a laying position. Practice a bit on the shore. Do a fast push up and bring your front foot up under your belly and then stand.

Turning right or left

On your next wave, try to determine which direction is most likely to give you a line down the break of the wave. If the right looks like its about to close out, try to go left. You may need to first drop into the wave and then turn the board down the face of it.

Right of way:

The surfer on the inside of the wave has the right-of-way. If you are learning how to surf and possibly not yet turning down the line, simply look left and right. if there is another surfer who looks like he is coming in your direction on the wave, or hollering at you to MOVE, do it. You are likely snaking his wave if you paddle in.