First Surf Outings
First Surf Outings
By Geneviève Diotte
You’ve been dreaming of surfing for a long time?
Well, good news — it’s never too late to learn! Here you’ll find tips, tricks, advice, and useful information to help you properly prepare for your first surf sessions.
Required gear
What to Wear?
In everyday life, it all depends on Mother Nature! It’s important to check the weather and the water temperature to determine whether you’ll need a wetsuit or not.
If you’re not in a tropical location, wearing one is often recommended. A wetsuit helps keep your body warm in colder waters and prevents hypothermia. If you’re surfing in warmer waters, even if the temperature feels comfortable, wearing a rashguard is still a good idea. As the name suggests, it can prevent rashes and also provides sun protection — it’s a win-win!
Still unsure?
Look around and ask people who seem to be heading out for the same activity. A changing poncho and/or a beach towel are also useful items before and after your surf session.
Choosing the right board
Having the right board for the conditions and your experience level is essential. Boards are often characterized by their volume — meaning their floatability. Taking your weight and height into consideration, choosing a board with greater floatability will help you catch waves more easily.
The usual recommendation for beginners is a longboard because of its higher volume and ease of use.
Wax
Once you’ve chosen your board, make sure it’s waxed — you probably won’t catch any waves without this essential step! The wax needs to be rubbed onto the board to increase grip between your body, your feet, and the board. Always start with a base coat. It can take some time, but it’s absolutely crucial.
Wax is chosen according to the water temperature where you’ll be surfing. It’s important to check the water temperature because wax reacts differently depending on heat conditions. You can also ask staff at local surf shops near your surf spot for advice — it’s the best way to avoid choosing the wrong one
Leash
Now that your board is chosen and waxed, don’t forget to attach your leash! It keeps you connected to your board throughout your entire session. To know which ankle to attach it to, you first need to determine whether you’re goofy or regular.
How to find out if you’re goofy or regular:
Stand upright with your feet together, close your eyes, and ask a friend to gently push you from behind. Your dominant foot will naturally step forward first.
- If your left foot steps forward first, you’re regular and you’ll attach your leash to your right ankle.
- If your right foot steps forward first, you’re goofy and you’ll attach your leash to your left ankle.
If this method doesn’t feel comfortable, simply go with what feels most natural.
Sun Protection
Like with all outdoor sports, sunscreen is essential. UV rays can damage your skin regardless of the season or time of day. Another option for longer-lasting facial protection in the water is zinc. Plus, It also offers skin benefits.
Before Going into the water
Conditions
The ocean is constantly changing, and every location has its own characteristics. You may encounter:
- Currents
- Wind
- Wave direction
- Sandy or rocky bottoms
- Breaking zones
- And many more...
To optimize your session, take time to observe and gather information before entering the water.
Types of Waves
To have a positive first experience, be realistic about wave size based on your experience level. Choose a spot with waves that allow gradual learning so you can practice standing up before trying to chase barrels. Observing the waves and what’s happening in the water before paddling out is always a smart move and will help you understand how the spot works.
Ask Questions
Be respectful and friendly, but don’t hesitate to ask local surfers questions. They know the spot best and can guide you away from conditions that might not help your progression or put you at risk.
Be Mentally and Physically Ready
You should know how to swim the right way before venturing into waves and potential currents. It’s also important to prepare yourself physically by warming up before entering the water.
You don’t need to be a high-level athlete to surf, but practicing regular sports and complementary activities like SUP or skateboarding can significantly help your progression. They’ll improve your balance and get you comfortable standing on a board. Yoga can also be beneficial by improving flexibility and breathing capacity — both very useful once you’re in the water.
Take Lessons
Learning proper fundamentals, techniques, and reflexes from the beginning — while staying safe with an instructor — will allow you to progress faster. Your surfing experience will be elevated, and you might just get hooked from your very first session!
in the water
Know the priorities
Once in the water, one golden rule is: don’t steal someone else’s wave. Doing so can cause collisions, injuries, and completely ruin your session. Always look around before paddling for a wave. Breaking this rule is often seen as disrespectful — and we don’t want that.
Who has priority? When more than one person paddles for a wave, the surfer closest to the peak (the highest point of the wave) has priority.
Be Humble & Patient
Accept the limits the ocean sets and remember it’s a powerful, ever-changing natural environment. You’ll often feel like you’re waiting forever for the perfect wave — but once you’re standing, the wait will instantly be forgotten, replaced by pure joy.
Wipeout!
Inevitably: the fall! Remember, surfing is a lifelong learning process. Your first wipeout certainly won’t be your last — even pros experience them.
When it happens:
- Fall as far away from your board as possible to avoid injury.
- Protect your head underwater until you’re ready to surface.
- Retrieve your board quickly.
- Get back on it.
- Take a moment.
- Move out of the way of incoming surfers riding the next wave.
Your First Wave
A moment you’ll never forget. Standing up on your surfboard is one of the best feelings in the world! You’ll feel free as the wind while being completely in sync with the ocean.
After Surf
Just like after-ski, there’s after-surf! To celebrate and relive the best waves of the session, it’s always fun to hang out with friends afterward and share stories. After a long session, you’ll probably be starving! A snack is definitely in order — and don’t forget to hydrate.
*We recommend starting with water… but hey, to each their own “water”! ;)
Quick Tips
- Entering the water: Before getting on your board and paddling, you’ll need to walk into the water with it. Never position the board between you and the wave — you could get knocked backward, which isn’t pleasant.
- Catching a wave: When you think you’re in position, paddle like there’s no tomorrow — give it everything you’ve got! Only once you feel the wave carrying you should you stand up.
- Popping up: Never grab the rails (edges) of your board when standing up. Your hands may slip and you could land chin-first.
- Posture: Look where you want to go and adjust your body position accordingly.
- Rip current: If you feel yourself being pulled by a rip current, paddle parallel to the shore until you exit it. Don’t fight the current — Mother Ocean is stronger than all of us.
- Never surf alone: Especially as a beginner. Even having a friend on the beach is better than nothing.
The Moral of The Story : HAVE FUN!
The more time you spend in the water and learning about surfing, the more you’ll develop your ocean sense. Observe. Experiment. Respect the ocean. And most importantly — ENJOY!
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