Top 10 Mistakes Beginner Surfers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Top 10 Mistakes Beginner Surfers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Learning to surf is a humbling experience. Even the most athletic individuals will find themselves tumbling into the whitewash time and time again.
While falling is part of the process, many beginners slow down their progression by repeatedly making the same mechanical errors. If you are preparing for your Surf Lessons in Arugam Bay, here are the top 10 mistakes you should avoid.
1. Using the Wrong Board
The biggest mistake beginners make is trying to look cool by renting a tiny shortboard. You cannot learn to balance on a shortboard. Always opt for a large, buoyant foam board (8 or 9 feet long) from a reliable Surfboard Rental shop.
2. Looking Down at Your Feet
Where your head looks, your body follows. If you look down at the nose of your board while popping up, you will inevitably fall forward into the water. Always look up and forward toward the beach!
3. Paddling Too Far Back on the Board
If you lay too far back on the board, the nose will stick up in the air, creating drag that makes it impossible to catch a wave. Your body should be perfectly balanced so the nose rests just an inch above the water.
4. The "Knee" Pop-Up
Many beginners try to stand up by transitioning to their knees first. This creates a terrible habit that ruins your balance and destroys your board over time. Your instructor in your Beginner Surf Lessons will teach you to pop straight to your feet in one fluid motion.
5. The "Poo Stance"
If your feet are too wide apart and you are bending at the waist instead of the knees, you have adopted the dreaded "poo stance." This makes turning impossible. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees to lower your center of gravity.
6. Going to the Wrong Beach
Do not paddle out at advanced reef breaks. Stick to sandy, forgiving spots like Peanut Farm. If you aren't sure where to go, joining a Surf Camp ensures you are always taken to the safest breaks.
7. Skipping the Warm-Up
Surfing uses muscles in your back and shoulders that you rarely use in daily life. Failing to stretch before paddling out is a guaranteed way to pull a muscle.
8. Not Hiring a Qualified Instructor
Learning from a friend often results in frustration. Book Private Surf Lessons with an ISA-certified instructor to guarantee you learn the correct mechanics from day one.
9. Paddling with Both Arms Simultaneously
You should paddle with alternating arms (like freestyle swimming), not both arms at the same time. Alternating provides continuous momentum and is much less exhausting.
10. Forgetting Sun Protection
The tropical sun in Sri Lanka is relentless. Regular sunscreen will wash off in five minutes. You need to wear a rash guard and apply thick, zinc-based surf mud to your face to avoid a vacation-ruining sunburn.
Avoid these mistakes, and you will be cruising down the line in no time! To capture your flawless new technique, consider booking some Surf Photography during your trip.