Learn to Surf Lesson 1 - Choosing The Perfect Surfboard
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There a few steps you need to take when learning to surf.
1: Find the perfect beginners board
2: Practice how to paddle on your surfboard
3: Getting past waves, by either rolling or duckdiving
4: 4th catch that first wave
5: Then last how to stand up on your surfboard without falling off
In this article we will cover the first step, how to choose the right surfboard. Most people like to go out and buy the best looking, and stylish board possible, but these are normally not for beginners.
You can get yourself a brand new surfboard after you got your balance on a big old board. So the first thing to look for is size, you want something with plenty of floatation. If the board is to small it will also sink and create more drag when paddling, the bigger the board, the more floataion you will have, and the bigger you are, the more floatation you will need.
You will be able to ride a small board sooner, if you start on a big board first. So if you plan to get into short boards look for something around 6ft 10inches up to 8ft long, but if you are looking at getting into long boarding try a Malibu of 10 or 12ft, make sure you can carry it.
Your first board can have all the dings in the world, it doesn't matter. You don't need to worry about how it will affect the board, you won't be doing any turns or tricks. While dings don't matter, or what the board looks like, you don't want any foam showing through, or the fiberglass cracked or peeled off. If this is the case you will want to repair it with some resin. Water will soak into the foam and weigh the board down.
Whatever board you buy, remember it should be at least 2-3 inches thick and at least 19-24 inches wide. You don't want a board built for manoeuvrability, tricks and turns, because they are lighter and require more skill to ride. So don't worry about the shape or number of fins.
Next make sure you get a good leg rope. You have to have a legrope, it will save your life. Stay away from big surf untill you get used to your board, and have some experience. The legrope can fling the board back at you in big swells, but you really should not be out there when starting out anyway.
Don't even try risking it with no legrope, or an old one that could snap. You might try to grap your board whenever you fall off, but it will get away from you. Then you have to try and swim in with the waves crashing on you, it takes a lot more energy swimming in the ocean then in a pool.
The many elements of the ocean could have you swimming as hard as you can, while you feel like your going nowhere. You might even be able to see your board drifting towards you, but just before you can reach it a wave will pick it up and carry it away, yet you will have to much drag for the wave to pick you up. Even if you are a strong enough swimmer, it will take a lot of time and energy just to get your board every time.
Get yourself a brand new leg rope, so long as it is new it should be fine, but the higher the quality the better. You can use this legrope for your next board, don't think it will be wasted on an old board. when choosing a length, the shorter the rope, the less tension it can build up. If you get a really long rope, it can stretch out and spring the board back at you. Just make sure it's long enough for you to stand up the front of the board.
Once you have your big old board, your ready to practice. Read my other articles on how to surf, for the next steps involved. Then grab a mate and head out, its always wise to go with someone else in case you get into trouble.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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