When you're fairly new to the game of surfing choosing that crucial first surfboard can be a bit of a minefield. If you’ve had some lessons, loved it and are happy going out in the sea on your own, the time has come to invest in the hobby that will bring you joy and possibly spirit-crushing frustration in equal measure for a lifetime. Unlike pretty much any other sport, like tennis, the gym or … [Read more...]
The Surf Rules
Easter Holidays mean crowds. In the water, this can translate to crowded waves. Learn the surf rules and you won't get into trouble. We teach people to surf. It’s a fantastic job and it's something we love to do but here’s the downside. The more people who learn to surf, the more surfers are going to be in the water. The maddening crowds Locals, holidaymakers, beginners, elite surfers, … [Read more...]
How to Turn a Surfboard on Whitewater Waves
When you feel confident catching waves and popping to your feet then you can start to think about how to turn a surfboard on whitewater waves. You should be consistently getting rides of 5 seconds or more before you consider trying this however. Also the surfboard that you should be trying your first basic turns on is a big buoyant softboard or a foam covered hard surfboard. Beginner surfboards … [Read more...]
Wetsuit Boot Buyers Guide – How to Choose Your Next Pair of Wetsuit Boots
Wetsuit boots are a necessary evil in colder climates and if you ask the surfers who use them, most have a love/hate relationship with them. In general the least neoprene that you can get away with and still be tolerably warm will usually correlate to an increase in performance with your surfing. I can’t think of anyone who would prefer to surf in a wetsuit when they can surf in boardshorts and … [Read more...]
How to Choose the Right Surf Spot for a Beginner Surfer
If your hiring some surfboards and wetsuits, or maybe you've taken the plunge and bought your own surfboard and wetsuit, then you will be facing a critical question that you will need to answer.... How to Choose the Right Surf Spot for a Beginner Surfer. There are a few things that you will need to consider before you suit up and run into the surf so here are some tips on how to make the right … [Read more...]
Simple Ways to Improve Balance for Surfing
Actually a better way to put it would be.... Can I Improve Balance for Surfing. And the answer is yes. Many people think that balance is one of those things that you either have or you don't. How many times have you heard that someone has 'natural balance'? I heard it just this morning and, once upon a time, people might occasionally say it about me, but in reality it all comes down to … [Read more...]
How To Protect Your Head When Surfing
If you've ever come along for a surf lesson with us you'll know we are pretty anal when it comes to safety. We see a lot of people glaze over when we start talking about safety but it's a necessary evil. But you must protect your head when you are surfing. On your first lesson with us you will hear us talk about how to protect your head when you wipeout several times. In fact we mention it … [Read more...]
How to improve your surfing – the easiest way (probably)!
Well, I say 'easiest way'. It kind of is. It just requires hours of time, patience, petrol and cash. Y'see I could give you thousands of tips on how to stand on your surfboard, catch waves and improve your technique and they would all help to a greater or lesser degree. But what's the best way to improve your surfing? In a word - travel. And I write this from the balcony of a rental … [Read more...]
The Bay of Plenty (part 2 of a 2-part guide to surfing in St Ives Bay)
The Bay of Plenty St Ives Bay offers loads of options for the surfer. If one spot’s not working there’s a fair chance another one will be (and failing that, we’re lucky enough to have the south coast only 20 mins away). Allow us to take you on a quick tour of St Ives Bay's surfing terrain… Godrevy [themedy_columns structure="50|50"][themedy_col … [Read more...]
Know The Bay: Swell Direction (Part 1 of a 2-part Guide to Surfing in St Ives Bay)
On the west coast of France, between the mouth of the Gironde to the west of Bordeux, and down there at the world famous Hossegor to the south, there’s roughly 100 miles of beach, separated only by the odd groin and a few river mouths. True story. And on a good day you know, you JUST KNOW, there’s pumping waves peeling down a secret sandbar (or two) NOT BEING SURFED; Or maybe surfed by a couple … [Read more...]
How to Catch a Wave – the double paddle finish
When it comes to catching waves and explaining the technique clearly then we have to tip our hats to Rob Case. Here he provides an excellent tutorial using Nat Young in a World Surfing League heat as an example. This is well worth 10 minutes of your time. He breaks the technique down clearly as well as providing some excellent pointers on how to improve your paddling technique, speed and … [Read more...]
Dr SurfLove (or how I learned to stop complaining and love lousy surf)
One of the all-time funniest things that has ever happened at the surf school occurred two years ago during work experience week. We had a young lad, let's call him Rob, in for a week of work placement from a local school and we were showing him the ropes with regard to dealing with customers and the basics of surf coaching. Rob was a really good worker and he was a delight to have onboard, but … [Read more...]
A Simple Guide to a Surf Forecast
You've spent hours packing your kit, everything is ready, your wetsuit is dry, lunch is packed and you head to the beach to find the surf is absolutely............. flat. It's happened to us all regardless of experience but there are a few things to minimise the chances of getting caught out by poor surf conditions. Luckily we live in an age where up to the minute data is provided over … [Read more...]
How to choose your first surfboard and wetsuit .
When you've got a few surfing lessons under your belt and you are hooked then your thoughts will probably start turning towards getting your own surfboard and wetsuit. Head into a surf shop and you will likely be met with a bewildering array of surf gear but if you ask for advice most are willing to oblige. And if they don't head to one that will. If the surf shop has been there for a few … [Read more...]
How to stand up on a surfboard – the easy (ish) way
The best way to stand up on a surfboard, without doubt, is to utilise the 'pop up' method. This is where you catch the wave, perform a press-up and then whip your feet into place in one seamless motion. This is an explosive body movement and understandably not everyone can do this when they first come along for a surfing lesson. It requires a good power to weight ratio, strong shoulders and … [Read more...]
How to Identify a Rip Current – and what to do if you are caught in one
There's a lot of mythology surrounding rip currents. Just the name alone conjures fear for some water users and while you should have a healthy respect for them so long as you know what to do when you are in one you need not panic. The key is to learn how to identify rip currents and avoid getting caught in one. How to Identify a Rip Current The best place to start is to explain what … [Read more...]
Watch and Learn
How to turn your surfboard – Look, Point, Pivot…Turn!
Pit Crew: Training a Big Wave Champ – WSL
Follow the link for an interesting interview with Robert Garcia, a coach who has trained Sunny Garcia, Andy Irons and Kelly Slater during their World Title years. Source: Pit Crew: Training a Big Wave Champ - WSL … [Read more...]
How to Paddle Like a World Champion
There is some interesting stuff about paddling technique in this video. The video was put together by a chap called Rob Case and there are loads more on his Youtube channel. It's well worth a look if you feel like you are missing out on too many waves or not getting out quick enough between waves. If you feel you could use a little help with you paddling or any other surfing … [Read more...]
The 5 Things That Every Beginner Surfer Should Know
Sometimes it seems that there are literally thousands of seemingly innocuous faux pas that could damn your fledgling surfing career and condemn yourself to a life of having sand kicked in your face by some chiselled, granite-jawed cad of a surfer. Trust me though, while some line-ups are friendlier than others, just like in other walks of life most surfers are happy to offer advice and are … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #8 – How to do a Flowing Lip-Line Re-entry
After the bottom turn the re-entry is one of the first manoeuvres that most surfers attempt. If you see a nice section coming towards you it's hard to resist the temptation to rebound of it and it's a great, dynamic way to finish a wave. Check out the video below and read on. … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #7 – Catching Unbroken Waves
Catching un-broken or ‘green waves’ can be the biggest hurdle to overcome for the progressing surfer. It relies on a number of different factors such as fitness, confidence and the surf conditions on the day. The ideal conditions would be a small clean swell with light offshore winds such as in this video clip. … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #6 – Staying Motivated
Summer is screeching into view and hopefully this year is going to be the long overdue perfect one. Waves everyday, light winds and endless sunny days. Utopia. But summers in Cornwall aren't always like that. The weather and conditions change quickly asking a lot of a surfers technique and motivation. If you want to be a good surfer and live in Cornwall then you're going to have to take the … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #5 – Performing a Basic Floater
The floater is a great move to maintain speed and flow while getting around (well, over actually) faster breaking sections of the wave. On a crumbly section they are relatively easy but if performed over the pitching lip then they become harder as they are preformed in the most powerful and critical part of the wave. The video shows a floater being performed by Dan Joel on a small but fast … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #4 – Brush
The cutback should be in every surfers repertoire and when done correctly it's the most functional move there is. If your wave goes slack, you need to get back to the pocket so you've gotta either do a cutback or kick out. Check out this video of Brazilian pro surfer Jadson Andre. … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #3 – Speed Generation
Speed is the most important thing in surfing. If you haven't got it or you can't keep it then manoeuvers become hard or impossible to complete. Now that summer is coming the waves will be smaller and less powerful so you will need to work harder to generate speed in the surf. … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #2 – Touch
Most surfers are aware that the bottom turn is the most important manoeuvre in surfing. It's the foundation of all good surfing and is often the move that gives you the speed and drive for the whole wave. If you get it right then you maximise your chances of having a great wave. Get it wrong and ..... well, you know the rest. So our next drill is to try to get your bottom turns perfect every … [Read more...]
Surf Tip #1 – The Recovery Position
If there is one tip that can apply to all levels of surfer, whether they've just had their first lesson or they're an elite surfer it's to maintain a low centre of gravity in the initial and recovery phase of a manoeuvre. This one simple tip is quite often the difference between success and failure when you are trying to complete a new surfing skill. I've shot some footage … [Read more...]
