Top Tips for Surf Camp for Beginners

It is exciting attending a surf camp. You get to meet a whole lot of new people and to engage in exciting new activities at some nice beach. For a beginner, the experience can be overwhelming, especially not knowing what to expect. Here are a few tips to help beginners.

Gear and Equipment

The first thing you should have is a proper surfboard, closely followed by a comfortably fitting wetsuit or trunks. Never start with a short surfboard, only pros can handle that. A good size board for adults should be somewhere between 8ft 6in and 10ft. A loose wetsuit will be itchy and irritating and may result in you getting rushes or even bleeding. Plus it will make it harder for you to paddle or stand up. A fitting wet suit has the added advantage of keeping your body warm. Once you have picked out your surf board and wet suit, you will also require a surfboard leash and some surf wax. The surf wax is not necessary if you surfboard is built with a traction pad. You may not need to separately purchase other equipment like fins because they may come already attached to the surfboard.

Safety

The best safety tip for surfing beginners is to be prepared. Research a little about surfing, get into shape, practice on the beach outside the water, listen to you instructor, and when you finally venture into the water, choose a spot with gentle waves. One important thing, improve your swimming skills long before you start your surfing lessons. If you can get a patrolled spot, that would be best. Take care to avoid crowded spots. Most surf camps like the El Salvador Surf Camp ensure that they have patrols on the areas specially designated for beginners. Make sure you go with a friend, especially one with surfing experience.

Etiquette

For great enjoyment and safety while surfing the waves, there are a few unwritten rules that you should bear in mind. These rules include:

1. Don’t drop in: Always observe the right of way, do not drop in front of surfers who are already riding the waves.

2. No Snaking: Avoid paddling around other people looking for an opportunity to get into the inside position.

3. Show respect: You should respect your fellow surfers, especially the locals. Do not mob their favorite spots during their favorite surf hours. If those are the best spots, you could go there one or two at a time, leaving them enough space to do their thing.

4. Paddling out: You should never paddle into others’ paths or throw your board in front.

5. Share the waves: Even though you may be the fastest in catching the next wave each time, allow others to enjoy the fun. Otherwise it will irritate them and that will be less fun all around.

There are more unwritten rules and learning them is easy. When in doubt, just use your common sense. Treat other surfers like you would treat your neighbors when sharing a street back home.

Fitness

Surfing is fun, but it requires a lot of stamina. You should be physically fit to learn fast and to have fun longer. As mentioned before, being a good swimmer is critical for your safety. Apart from swimming, you should work on your whole body to provide you the much needed stamina and support to ride the waves.

Lessons

Once you are fully prepared then you can begin your lessons in the water. Here are some of the things you will learn from your trainer.

1. Catching the waves

2. Paddling your surfboard

3. Duck diving

4. Standing on your board

5. Bottom turns

6. Cutbacks

Have Fun
The primary objective of surfing is, and should always be, enjoying yourself to the fullest. Have fun in and out of the water.