5 Things you Need to Know Before Taking your First Surf Lesson

Surfing is a sport of incredible strength and endurance, combined with the ability to be one with

nature; there is really nothing quite like it! If you have decided that it is time to jump out of your

comfort zone and into a sport like surfing, it is important to get prepared for your first lesson.

As with anything in life, knowledge is power; the sooner you get started, the easier your first

lesson will be for you. If you are going to study English in the United States, schools like FLS

International, offer surfing camps along with English lessons to allow you to embrace the culture

and have fun!

What to Bring

Before you hit the waves, you will need to bring a few things with you. As with any water sport,

sunblock will be of utmost importance as the sun’s rays will reflect off of the water and can

cause severe sunburn. You certainly do not want to take the fun out of your new hobby by

suffering from pain and reddened skin over the next few days, so before you hit the beach be

sure to slather on that sunblock. You will also need to bring appropriate attire. In a perfect world,

you will have a wetsuit that fits like a glove to make your surfing experience as authentic as

possible. If you are unable to get a wetsuit, at the very least you will need a good fitting swimsuit

that will keep you comfortable during your lesson. Of course, you do not want to forget your

beach towel to dry off after the lesson.

How to Check Weather Conditions

Everyone can watch the local weather channel to determine what the weather is predicted to be,

but there is no better way to know the weather than to look at it yourself. This means more than

sticking your head out the back door and feeling the temperature. As a beginning surfer, you also

need to know the condition of the waves. Head on down to the beach and sit down for a while.

Watch the surfers, the waves, and the wind for at least 10 to 15 minutes to determine what the

conditions are like. Your goal is to watch at least two sets of waves come in to judge whether or

not they are too big for you to give them a shot that day.

The Necessary Equipment

The good news is that your surfing equipment is usually included in the price of the course that

you are taking. Your instructor will help you learn how to size up the right board as well as what

type of board to look for as a beginner. There are many different types of boards available, each

of which responds differently to the waves. As a beginner, you will want a wider board than you

might imagine, and one that has a rounded nose to avoid serious injury as you learn.

Getting Started

The good and bad news is that you will not immediately hit the waves. It is important to know

this upfront in order to avoid disappointment on that first day. A large portion of successful

surfing lies in your strength and ability to get your body ready. Instead of hitting the waves right

away, you will learn the appropriate stretches to do, spend time practicing paddling on the sand

as well as standing and crouching on the board to learn balance before you hit any water.

Taking your first surf lesson can be really exciting, especially when you prepare yourself for it.

Surfing is not a sport that you can jump into without any preparation, but once you learn how to

do it, you can have a great deal of fun with the waves, whether alone, or with a group that is with

you to study English and have a blast while doing it.