Who doesn’t want to bring the excitement of surfing into reality? Once you slice through the thick waves, it is a heavenly feeling. But the question is how long does it take to learn to surf?
But it takes practice before you can finally enjoy the beauty of surfing. Many may think surfing is a simple act. And, it takes only a few steps to learn the secret behind it.
But it’s not as easy as it sounds. Especially, when there is a specific guideline that you can’t practice during the summer and other risks involved.
Yes, you can only surf during a specific timeline of the year. Hence, minimizing the timeline and supposing you have a busy life, you only have the weekends to practice.
So, how long will it take to learn to surf? We will get on that point.
How Long Does It Take to Learn to Surf?
Surfing is a smart sport. Let’s keep it honest. It is not as easy as many guides would make it sound. There are many hidden tricks, strategies for surfing.
If not learned carefully, surfers may put their life at risk. You may get a hold of your surfboard within 30 minutes of practice.
However, to surf like a pro takes years of practice. Then again, it also depends on the type of surfboard you are using with your natural flexibility and agility.
Some beginners may only take 5-7 days to pull some of the intermediate-level stunts. While it may take weeks for some to get to the basics.
Whatever it may take for you, don’t be disappointed. With practice and determination, anyone can get there.
Here, we are providing you with some of the facts about surfing and a surfer that you should keep in mind.
These elements may not be analytical but they will come in handy when you wet your feet and remember them.
What to Develop Before Master Surfing?
Before you start to surf, you need to develop some skills. These properties are crucial and mandatory in the development stage of surfing. Let’s take a cup of tea and start reading.
Build up Agility
This is something a surfer should naturally have. Even if you lack agility, you will build it up with time. There is no need to worry.
Agility helps to take quick turns where you need it the most. It is the capability to be more predictive and take actions within.
A surfer must have this quality. Even if you think you lack agility, give time and proper practice to develop this property inside you.
Are You Strong and Persistent Enough?
Surfing is not a child’s play. It will take you to your limit at some point. From paddling to getting a stronghold of your board, switching waves will not be an easy journey for anyone.
Is your body ready to take the immense pressure? Are you determined enough to nail the challenge? If not, you can start with exercises.
Here is a list of exercises you must do to strengthen your body and muscles. It will help you to prepare your body for taking the heavy load of surfing.
Confidence
If you are not confident enough at what you are doing, there is no point in doing it at all. Many beginners will indeed feel nervous on the first go. This kind of nervous reaction is quite normal for anyone who is dealing with surfing for the first time.
However, you need to learn how to cope with these insecurities. Learning to set up a positive and brave mindset before you start doing something will bring good results for you.
Choose the Right Board
You are right on the track if you know you have the qualities above to start surfing. Now, it is time to choose the right board for yourself. As you you are new at surfing the cost of a surfboard in your head
Surfboards for beginners should be high in volume. A board with a higher volume will adjust to the growing skillset of a beginner. It will be easy to maneuver and allow you to have flexible turns.
So, if you are a beginner who is looking for his/ her first surfboard, you should begin with something easier. Slick and shortboards are cool and let you create amazing stunts. And you will get there slowly but gradually. There is no need to rush.
Always remember developing your skill is the priority in surfing. When you reach intermediate or pro-level, you can sell your first board with a handsome return and buy a new one that matches your growing surfing skills.
Choose A Spot
Surfing can impose some possible risks if not managed with caution.
You cannot just jump into deep parts of the ocean for practice. Those are for professional and intermediate surfers.
Having any reckless decision to practice with large waves can not only crush your motivation to pursue surfing but also can become extremely dangerous for any beginners.
The best and safest method is to practice within the beach break. They create shallow and small waves where it is safer to practice for new surfers.
Remember safety always comes first.
Take Help from Professional Guide
Surfing is not something you can do just by following some youtube guides. You will need help from professionals. And you need to make sure that your surfing guide is a man of his words.
An ideal teacher can make even the hardest roads smoother for you.
However, if you are willing to avoid taking help from professional guides. You need to make sure you have a close circle of surfers who are willing to help you with the trickiest part of surfing.
But keep in mind, the time needed to become a professional surfer will take longer and you need to be more focused to master the basics at first.
Master the Basics
Theory-based learning has its value. But for surfing, the only theory is not enough. You need to keep practicing and practicing until the basics of surfing become a holy book for you.
Luckily, it’s not always that you need a surfboard to practice. You can carry on your lessons on the dry earth as well.
And to replace a surfboard, you can use any cardboard or plastic sheet of the size of a surfboard.
This kind of practice will help you to develop your movements and get better control of your board. Don’t forget to wear a wetsuit before going surfing.
You can slowly improve your muscle flexibility and strength over time.
This is where our list of advice ends for beginners. Just keep these facts in mind before you jump into the world of surfing.
How Long Does It Take to Learn to Surf?
FAQ
Q: How long does it take to learn how to surf?
Ans: It will take around a few hours (3-4) to some months of practice for properly learning to surf.
The first and foremost thing a beginner needs to learn is to balance while lying on the surfboard. This will only take around 30 minutes to 3-4 hours.
Q: Is it too late to start surfing 21?
Ans: Not at all. Anyone can start surfing in their 20’s. In fact, not only 21, if you are planning to learn surfing in your 30s or 40s, that’s completely fine as well.
It might take a little more time than usual, but with patience and determination, learning to surf at a late age is completely fine.
Q: Is it OK to surf alone?
Ans: If you are learning to surf for the first time, you should never go surfing alone. At the early stage of surfing, you are not familiar with the sea and hardly have any idea how to manage your board.
In this case, the sea can turn out to be a dangerous place for a beginner. And you should never take the risk.
Always take a professional with you before you finally learn about the sea and surfing.
Q: Why do surfers surf in the morning?
Ans: Morning is considered an ideal time to surf. This is because wind during this time remains light and less powerful. It can hardly break the waves.
And broken waves always ruin the game for the surfers. This is why surfers find the morning time ideal for surfing when the wind remains gentle and they get powerful waves.
EndNote
Surfing is not a very popular form of sport. But the challenges it imposes to become a surfer are wider than the sport itself.
It may sound exciting by the sound of the blue sea and waves. But only a handful of people can get through all the obstacles to become a surfer.
If you break at the beginning without knowing how long does it take to learn to surf will only cause you to distress in the process of learning. And you may lose your wish to become a surfer.
This is why we have provided our guide which will help learners to be ready for the obstacles and challenges he has to face out in the blue.
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