Common Mistakes New Surfers Make & How to Avoid Them

Surfing is one of the most exhilarating water sports, with an undeniable sense of freedom and adventure. However, for beginners, the road to mastering it can be rocky. From struggling to balance on the board to paddling out past the break, several challenges can be overcome. One of the best ways to get started is by taking surfing lessons at Malibu Beach, where experienced instructors guide you through the process, ensuring you make fewer mistakes. But even with guidance, it’s easy to slip into common pitfalls that can hinder progress. Let’s dive into the most frequent mistakes new surfers make and how you can avoid them to enhance your experience and improve your skills.

1. Not Understanding the Importance of the Right Surfboard

One of the first mistakes beginners often make is choosing the wrong surfboard. Many new surfers get drawn to sleek, small boards, thinking they look cool or are more advanced, but these boards are much harder to ride. For starters, beginners should go for a longer, wider board. A longer board offers more stability and is easier to balance on, which is essential when you’re just starting.

The key is to select a board that suits your skill level, size, and the type of waves you’ll be riding. A board that is too small or too thin can cause you to wipe out frequently and lose confidence, while a larger board will give you the buoyancy and balance necessary to catch more waves with ease.

2. Forgetting the Importance of Paddling Technique

Paddling is often one of the most underestimated skills for beginners. Paddling improperly can leave you exhausted before even reaching the waves, and this mistake is often overlooked in early lessons. New surfers often use a lot of unnecessary energy by paddling with short strokes or by lifting their bodies too high above the water. This can slow you down, leaving you struggling to catch waves.

3. Positioning the Body Incorrectly on the Board

Your position on the board plays a vital role in your ability to catch waves and ride them successfully. A common mistake new surfers make is either lying too far forward or too far back on the board. If you’re too far forward, you’ll nose dive into the water. If you’re too far back, you’ll have difficulty getting the board to plane properly, and you won’t be able to catch the wave.

4. Failing to Read the Waves

New surfers often struggle with reading the waves, which is crucial to timing your takeoff. Without understanding the waves, it’s difficult to predict which ones will provide the best ride. Surfing is as much about strategy as it is about physical skill. If you try to catch waves that are too small or too large, you’ll find yourself either paddling aimlessly or wiping out.

5. Not Knowing the Right Time to Stand Up

One of the most exhilarating moments in surfing is when you pop up and stand on the board for the first time. But jumping the gun and trying to stand too soon is a mistake many new surfers make. This often results in falling off the board before they even get a chance to ride the wave properly.

6. Overestimating Your Abilities

It’s natural for new surfers to get excited and want to tackle bigger waves as soon as possible, but this often leads to frustration and disappointment. Paddling out into large waves without the necessary skills is a surefire way to experience wipeouts and could potentially lead to injuries.

7. Not Focusing on Ocean Etiquette

Another common mistake is not following basic surfing etiquette. The surf zone can get crowded, and not understanding the right of way or cutting off other surfers can create frustrating situations. Respecting others in the water is crucial for safety and enjoyment.

8. Not Taking Care of Your Gear

Surfboards can take a beating, especially when they’re used in beginner lessons or when they’re not properly maintained. Beginners often neglect to take proper care of their gear, leading to damage that can ruin the surf experience.

9. Underestimating the Power of the Ocean

Many beginners are unaware of the sheer power of the ocean and the waves they’ll be riding. Whether you’re paddling out or riding a wave, the ocean can be unpredictable. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or panicked when faced with waves larger than you expect.

10. Not Practicing Enough

Like any skill, surfing takes time to master, and it requires consistent practice. Beginners often expect to be able to catch and ride waves quickly, but that’s simply not how surfing works. Success comes from the repetition of movements, understanding your body, and adapting to the waves.

Why Choose Always Summer?

Surfing is a journey of personal growth and enjoyment, and Always Summer is here to ensure you have the right tools, techniques, and support to make it a successful one. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your skills, our experienced instructors are ready to guide you every step of the way. Choose Always Summer to experience the best in surf lessons and to avoid common mistakes, so you can confidently take on the waves with ease and excitement.