Are you making a resolution this year? If you are, statistics say that your resolution has about a 50% chance of being unsuccessful. With such odds, what’s the point of making a resolution at all? We know that trying to be a better version of ourselves is difficult, but that doesn’t seem to stop us from making far fetched requests come New Years. However, one resolution that you can for sure be successful at this year is learning how to surf. This might not have been your first guess as an easy resolution, since learning how to surf is one of the most difficult things to do. However, we at South Bay Board Co. have got you and your New Year’s goals covered. With the best beginner boards on the market, learning how to surf has never been easier. Here’s how you can knock down a major resolution with confidence and style.
First things first, in order to surf, you gotta get a board. This is typically the hardest part of the process, since there’s so many variants of boards, different surf companies, etc. However, when buying a beginner board there’s two things you want to look for, size and volume. On top of that, you want to make sure your board is forgiving and beginner friendly. For these requirements, you can’t go wrong with either the 8’ Verve, 8’8 Heritage, or the 7’ Ruccus. These are our premium beginner softops which are made with cutting edge Fingerprint Foam material. This makes the surface of the board both soft and grippy which is perfect for a beginner surfer. What board works best for you will depend. Be sure to go on our website and check out our What Board is Right for You quiz, which will give you the best selection according to your skill and attributes. All of our boards come with fins and a leash, and with the Fingerprint Foam material, you won't need wax. This means that as soon as your board arrives, it's ready to be taken out and ridden.
Once you’ve got a board, you may also need to buy a wetsuit depending on where you live. These are easy to come by, and not all wetsuits require you to drop half your paycheck. Be sure to look out for the release of our sister company, South Bay Beach Life later this year, where we’ll sell wetsuits, rash guards, and more. These suits, much like our boards, offer a premium price efficient alternative to the expensive surf products that currently run the market.
Once you’ve got all your equipment ready, you want to be extra selective in which spot you go to. Be sure to choose a surf break that produces slow mushy waves. Avoid spots that have steep or barreling waves, since these are hard to take off on when riding a larger board. Look online for the best beginner spots near you. If you are in Southern California for example, I would recommend Doheny Beach in Dana Point, Sunset Boulevard in Malibu, or Malibu First Point, which are all slow consistent waves that are great for beginners. Before going out into the water, get comfortable performing your pop up. I’d recommend placing your board on the sand and slowly practice getting up on your board. As you do this more and more it will quickly become muscle memory.
In order to progress in surfing, you need to actually be catching waves. If you find yourself constantly falling or slipping off your board, practice popping up in a controlled environment, such as on the sand or on white water waves. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself consistently being able to catch waves with ease. Once this happens, gradually move up to bigger and faster waves. Surfing is a slow and delicate process that can only be developed by going into the water. It’s easy to be deterred by a bad session, but even after a week of consistently surfing you'll find yourself greatly improved.
Be sure to reach out to us if you’re still unsure what board is right for you. If you have any questions on learning how to surf, we have a talented team of riders who are always happy to help you out.
Happy new year, hope to see you in the water soon,
Phil