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Learning to surf...
| Surfing
has always been thought of as a sport where you just pick up a surfboard,
paddle out, and surf some waves. Beginner surfers traditionally teach
themselves,
or a parent or buddy gives advice to help them learn the basic skills of
surfing.
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But
learning to catch and stand on the ocean’s waves is not an easy skill to
learn.
It takes commitment and perseverance to master these skills, considering
that the beginner surfer will make many errors in the learning process.
Now,
beginner surfers are able to sign up for surf classes with experienced
coaches. It’s fun, safe, and rewarding to learn in these group surf classes.
But only if they are in your area, or if they are scheduled at a time suitable
to you.
What
happens if there are no surf coaches in your area, or the classes are at
times that don’t suit? The solution available here at surfcoach.com is
self-paced-surf-training, where you learn on your local beach, at your
own pace.
Having
taught hundreds of surfers how to stand on a surfboard, Martin uses this
experience and knowledge to fast-track the learning process in his coaching
programs. These same concepts have been incorporated into the training
tools and surf training packages outlined in this section.
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The 7 Essential Skills
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Do these well and you will be surfing
in no time at all.
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Select
and use a surfboard that matches your age and body type.
The ideal beginner’s surfboard should be at least 12 inches taller
than the beginner surfer and at least 19 inches wide at its widest
point. A surfboard of these dimensions will have the minimum stability
needed to maximise the rate of progress. A mini Malibu style surfboard
is another alternative, especially for the adult learner.
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Pick
a surfing beach that matches your ability.
Look for beaches with waves no bigger than 1 metre or 3 feet. Waves
bigger than that are too powerful for the beginner surfer. |
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Find
and position yourself in the surfboard’s “sweet spot” when
paddling. Positioning yourself in the “sweet spot” makes
paddling out through the surf easier and more efficient. A good
indication of this ideal paddling position is if the water laps over the
rails of surfboard approximately 6 inches from the surfboard’s nose
when paddling. Position yourself so your surfboard has a flat, balanced
appearance.
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When
paddling in the surf, perform all actions quickly and with confidence.
Actions such as duck dives, eskimo rolls, paddling for waves, and
turning the surfboard all need to be performed without hesitation. Once
in the surf, if an action is performed slowly, the surfer can be
picked-up by a wave and dumped, or if caught sideways to an oncoming
wave, can be flipped off their surfboard as the wave hits them.
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When
paddling for waves, look over your shoulder to judge the wave’s speed
and location. By
doing this you know how hard
to paddle, and when the wave will hit you. This also helps the surfer
make the decision when to attempt to stand up.
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Practice
the standing action on the beach before attempting it in the ocean. Your
goal should be to jump to your feet in a fast, one-stage movement,
throwing your hands up at the same time your feet land on the
surfboard’s deck. Once your hands are off the surfboard, your body’s
natural balance mechanism will be activated. |
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When
in the surf, make sure you have actually caught the wave before
attempting to stand.
When catching whitewater waves, paddle until the foam is at chest level
before standing, or if catching an unbroken wave, paddle until there is
a solid push towards the beach from the wave. Make sure the standing
action is performed quickly. |
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Learning to Surf Products...
-
select the Learn
To Surf section
of the
Surfcoach
Store for
these products
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1. "The Beginner
Surfer" DVD [ duration
32 minutes ]
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 “The
Beginner Surfer” can guide you through the essential skills of surfing
with a series of safe, gradual discoveries, in the recommended beginner
locations. Set out in 6 easy-to-understand lessons, and demonstrated by
leading Australian professional surfers, Beau Emerton and Neridah Falconer,
“The Beginner Surfer” will share with you the secrets to successful surfing.
Additionally, information is presented after each lesson on various aspects
of surfing that you may encounter in your future surfing experiences.
Buy the
Beginner Surfer DVD online at Surfcoach.com shop |
| Contents: |
| 1. |
Surfing
Equipment |
1a. |
Safety in the surf |
| 2. |
Paddling
and Turning a surfboard |
2a. |
Other surfcraft |
| 3. |
Paddling
through waves |
3a. |
Women’s surfing |
| 4. |
Catching
foam waves and standing |
4a. |
Wipeouts |
| 5. |
Catching
and standing on green waves |
5a. |
Big wave surfing |
| 6. |
Turning
a surfboard |
6a. |
Surfing manoeuvres |
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Price:
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| Australia
and New Zealand |
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$29.95 plus G.S.T. and
shipping |
| Rest
of World |
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$29.95 plus shipping |
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[
all prices are in Australian dollars and products are shipped by airmail
post - maximum 14 days delivery ]
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2. Self-paced surf training - The Beginner Surfer - How does
this work?
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Surfcoach.com
has developed a unique training package that fast-tracks the learning process. Self-paced surf training acts like your own personal coach at your beach.
View the video at home, take the unique training cards to the beach, follow
the advice they contain, and
evaluate your performance after you surf to
monitor your progress. It’s easy, fun, and you
learn faster than ever before.
And if you have problems or you just want to let Martin know
how the training
is going, email Surfcoach.com for assistance.
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"The Beginner Pack" -
purchase today to start
surfing:
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Contents:
- “The Beginner Surfer” DVD
- 7 Self-paced training cards:
| 1.
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Preparing to surf |
5.
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Catching whitewater waves |
| 2.
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Paddling the surfboard |
6.
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Standing on waves |
| 3.
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Paddling through waves |
7.
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Catching and standing on green waves |
| 4.
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Paddling through waves
II |
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Self-evaluation
sheets |
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Information on how to use the training system |
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1x access back to Martin at Surfcoach.com via email if assistance is required |
Buy
the Beginner Pack online at Surfcoach.com shop |
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Price:
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| Australia
and New Zealand |
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$79.95 plus
G.S.T. and shipping |
| Rest
of World |
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$79.95 plus
shipping |
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[
all prices are in Australian dollars and products are shipped by airmail
post - maximum 14 days delivery ]
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ARTICLES: