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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
