How to Prepare For a Surf Lesson

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how-to-prepare-for-surfing-lessonsYou decided you wanted to surf, so you booked a surf lesson. You may be wondering what to expect, how to prepare, and many more questions. In this post, we go over how you can best prepare for your surf lesson and learn the most from it. Read on to learn more!

Physical Abilities

While anyone can learn to surf, it does take athleticism to successfully paddle out, stand up and stay on the board. Being able to balance on a board is a key ability. If you have never attempted to surf before, try to use a standup paddle board. This will help you learn balance, which takes core strength. Don’t worry about being able to do everything — being generally healthy and strong will be a good starting place! You’ll gain more strength as you take your lesson.

Eat Well

If you’re going to be participating in a surf lesson, it’s important to eat healthily beforehand. Eating a nutritious meal will give you the energy you need to make it through your lesson. It’s also a good idea to avoid heavy foods that can weigh you down or give you cramps.

Instead, focus on light, healthy foods that will give you sustained energy. Fruits and vegetables are always a good choice, and whole grain toast or oatmeal are great options for a pre-surf breakfast. Whatever you eat, make sure you’re well-hydrated so you can stay focused and perform your best during your lesson.

Swim Strength

Having a basic level of swimming strength is important before your first surfing lesson. Although you may be able to swim a little bit, the waves and currents in the ocean can be much stronger than in a pool. If you get caught in a strong current, it is important to be able to swim against it and make it back to shore.

In addition, surfing requires a lot of upper body strength. Paddling out to catch a wave can be exhausting, and you will need to be able to maintain your balance once you are up on the board. For these reasons, it is important to have a basic level of swimming strength and fitness before taking your first surfing lesson.

Sun Protection

Even though you’ll be nice and cool in the water, the sun in Hawaii is still blazing. Make sure you lather up in sunscreen at least 20 minutes before your lesson to ensure your skin absorbs some SPF. Many people also choose to wear swim shirts, such as the ones we sell at our shop, which ensure maximum protection. Shirts to wear in the water also help avoid rashes or skin irritation, which can come from rubbing stomachs or arms on the surfboard.

Decide What You Want

People take surf lessons for different reasons, and with different expectations. Let your instructor know ahead of time if you want to get something specific out of the lesson: Do you want to hit the water right away and get a workout? Or are you looking to learn the principles and techniques of surfing before you get wet? Our instructors can accommodate any type of student — they just need to know what you want! Be vocal! 

Be Ready to Work

As one of our instructors says, “Surfing is easy! It’s everything else that’s hard!” And it’s true! Surfing is a workout — paddling out, working against waves, standing up and staying up, and then doing it all over again! Be prepared to get a workout while learning to surf. Eat a healthy, filling breakfast that will give you energy for the lesson, and drink plenty of water before and after you hit the water.  Don’t forget your good attitude and willingness to keep trying!

Trust the Process

Trusting the process is essential when learning how to surf. It can be tempting to try and muscle through the tough parts, but that usually leads to more frustration and longer delays in progress. Surfing is all about timing and body mechanics, so it’s important to listen to your instructor and trust that they know what they’re doing.

Even if it doesn’t seem like it at first, following their guidance will help you catch on much faster. And as you start to improve, you’ll be able to surf with more power and grace. So don’t get discouraged, trust the process, and soon you’ll be riding the waves like a pro!

Take a Surf Lesson with Surf N’ Sea

Looking to catch some waves? Then you’ll want to head on over to Surf N Sea, where they offer surf lessons for all levels! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, their experienced instructors will help you make the most of your time in the water. And what’s more, their lessons are affordable, so you can enjoy the thrill of surfing without breaking the bank. So why not give it a try? The next time you’re in Hawaii, be sure to take a surf lesson