HOW TO SURF GUIDE

Boardmasters’ Top Rated Surf School

BY CAILIN WHEATLEY

Cornwall offers a range of waves for different abilities, you just have to do some hunting, which is also part of the fun right?

But if it’s your first time getting on a board, it is better to be in safe hands. With a plethora of approachable and motivating surf instructors across the county, it’s easy to find the right teacher for you.

Whether you are ripping and ready to compete, or have never stepped foot on a board before, Newquay and its surrounding areas can offer you a ride of a lifetime. With our number one ranked surf school, that Boardmasters recommend, Escape Surf School isn’t just any old school. Hidden behind Belushi’s in Newquay, Escape overlooks the bay, where Towan and Great Western beach offer the best for beginners. Not only being a step away from the shore, but their friendly team also has what it takes to make sure that there’s no room for nerves and offer advice that stays with you for a lifetime.

“Surfing is good for your body and mind..”

HEAD COACH AT ESCAPE AND EX-PROFESSIONAL, REUBIN PIERCE, HANDS OVER HIS ADVICE ON WATER SAFETY:

WORDS BY REUBIN PIERCE

Surfing is unlike any other sport or hobby out there and over the last few years it has gained a huge amount of popularity. People from all over the world and of all ages are getting into surfing. The buzz and unbeatable adrenaline of catching a wave is like nothing else on earth.

Surfing is good for your body and mind, it’s sociable, fun, and connects us to nature. It teaches us more about ourselves than we know.

However, if you haven’t ever done it before it’s not as simple as grabbing a surfboard and jumping into the ocean. As with any sport or hobby that involves nature, we have to have some basic understanding of the ‘how’s’, ‘what’s’ and ‘why’s’.

The ocean demands the utmost respect, doesn’t matter how good a swimmer you are, or how confident you are in the water, it’s better to submit yourself to nature and show her respect. Trust me, she will ultimately return the respect letting you have the best time of your life.

ESCAPE SURF SCHOOL LESSON

BEFORE YOU THINK OF JUST JUMPING STRAIGHT INTO IT, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO DO BEFORE:

DON’T LEARN TO SURF BY YOURSELF/ simply just hire equipment. No matter how easy you think it looks, never approach surfing by yourself.

LOOK TO FIND AN ACCREDITED, EXPERIENCED, AND

GOOD SURF SCHOOL - A good surf school won’t just teach you how to surf, they will inspire you and make you fall in love with surfing and the ocean. A good surf school will teach you the fundamentals and look after you.

FIND A SURF SCHOOL LOCATED ON A BEGINNER

FRIENDLY SURF BEACH - Surfing on a beach that is appropriate for beginner surfers is crucial to your success and fun. Learn to surf on a beach known for good, steady, soft, and mechanical like waves that will help the whole learning process to be a lot smoother. As you progress in your surfing a good surf school will know when it’s time to push your surfing and take you on fun learning adventures to new beaches with different types of waves and breaks. ALL WAYS WARM UP - At home, before your lesson or surf stretching your joints and muscle groups is essential to help curb any injuries both new and old whilst learning to surf.

OBSERVE, STUDY, AND LEARN - Spend some time before heading out into the water watching the waves and other surfers. This helps you find your inspiration and helps you understand more about location, positioning, wave types, tidal & rip currents and more. EQUIPMENT MATTERS - If you are learning with a good surf school you’ll be in good hands and using the right equipment. If, however, you are surfing with friends then choose your equipment wisely, especially your surfboard. A good sized, generally 8 Foot to 9-foot, soft top surfboard will give you the best experience and help with buoyancy, speed, stability and much more. They are also great in preventing any serious injuries from happening.

Whilst in the water:

DON’T RUSH - The slower you go the more you can feel and really connect with your senses. This in turn allows you to make timely and correct decisions. You might not think it, but you have all the time in the world out in the surf.

GO SMALL - Always stay in manageable water depth, dependant on your height, generally a water level up to your hips or stomach is safe to allow you to manage your circumstances.

ENGAGE YOUR SENSES - Keep your eyes open, ears as water free as possible, and try to really engage with both senses to really help you connect to your experience by helping you to enjoy your surf by learning faster and also keeping you safe from your surroundings. Space is space - try and give yourself some space between you and other beginner surfers based in the same area as you. If there are 15 other people aiming to catch the same wave as you, simply put your feet back into the sand and let’s catch the next or another wave that follows. There are plenty waves in the ocean for all of us to ride.

MARKERS - External / Outside the water makers, like a big colourful building or single big tree, will help you not to drift out of position / location whilst in the water. These usually come in the form of tidal or rip current and also the wind.

As your surfing starts to progress, you’ll always be learning new and fun things. The list above isn’t exhaustive, you will learn & grow to understand yourself, nature, and in turn become a much better surfer.