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There a few steps you need to take when learning to surf.

1: First choose the right board

2: 2nd learn to paddle

3: 3rd learn how to duck dive or roll

4: 4th catch that first wave

5: Then last how to stand up on your surfboard without falling off

Lets first cover choosing the right board. To choose the right board, you might be thinking of what looks the coolest, or what the pros are riding. But believe me you won’t look very cool trying to stand up on a 6ft thruster if you haven’t mastered the basics.

Once you have mastered the basics, then you can invest in a brand new board. But first you’re going to need something big… the bigger it is, the better it will float, and the easier it will be to paddle. Also the larger you are the more floatation you will need.

I suggest starting out on a big board first, you will be able to get your balance faster, and then move to a smaller board sooner. Look for something above 6ft 8inches long, 7ft to 8ft is a good starting size. If you intend to ride long boards then you can go much longer look for a Malibu up to around 12 ft.

So you got your eyes on a big old board around 7 to 8ft, what’s it look like… who cares? If it can hold you up that’s all that matters, dings will not affect you because you wont be doing anything to tricky or tackling large waves. However while the board can look crapy, you don’t want the fiberglass peeling away from the foam, if water can reach the foam, it will soak into it and weigh you down. Then you will never get the speed to catch a wave.

The bigest factor in choosing the right board is size, shape and number of fins do not matter at all. These things affect people who will be turning the board more, and you just want to stand up and get your balance, so take no notice of them. Just make sure your surfboard is at least 2 to 3 inches in thickness, and anywhere from 20 inches in width.

Most importantly when you get your first board is to get a leg rope. You might hear horror stories of the board getting dragged under then getting pulled back towards you like a bungy and knocking you out, but this will only happen in huge swell, which I hope you will not be tackling when learning to surf.

A leg rope is essential for any beginner, and even the pros should have one. You see the ocean is a treacherous place, you may be a strong swimmer in a pool, but the ocean has hidden dangers. When you fall from your board, and you will fall, you wont have time to grab it before the wave takes it away, and you will be stuck without floatation.

Even the strongest of swimmers, will use up a lot of energy and time, trying to reach their board. The surfboard will be light enough for the waves to pick it up and move it away, however you will have to much drag in the water. Besides the obvious danger, of the sweep taking you into a rip, the hassle of swimming into shore will ruin any session, trust me you don’t want to be stuck without a surfboard.

When choosing a leg rope, get something reliable and strong. Unlike your first board you want quality, this is your life saver. You can keep this, and transfer it to your new board once you get it, so don’t worry about it being wasted on an old board. Also don’t get something to long, the longer the rope the more tension it can build up to spring the board back at you with force. Stay under 8ft.

So you got your surfboard, its big, its ugly, but it will hold you up. Now your ready to practice, so read the next articles on how to surf, grab your friends and start paddling.