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SURFING E-BOOK
Welcome to our Surf School E-Book We hope that the following advice helps you to improve your surfing. As well as surf lessons we also offer surfing weekends and holidays. Please remember, we also offer Coasteering, Bodyboarding, Surf hire and other activities. We look forward to seeing you in the water soon.
Rob and the team
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SURFING E-BOOK
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SURF BOARD
There are three main differences when talking about how to measure the size of a surfboard, understanding these measurements will help you decide what board might be the best for you. When talking about the size of a surf board people refer to its dimensions. These can be broken down into three separate criteria and combined together they make up the volume of a surfboard which is measured in litres. The bigger the volume of a board the bigger the board and the more buoyant it is. The surfer’s ability, body type and size should be taken in to account when choosing a surfboard.
Attempting to
surf a short, narrow and thin surf board when you
have no experience will make
it tough to catch waves, balance and maintain speed.
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D IMEN S IO N S
The dimensions of a surf board are measured in feet and inches.
L E NG T H
The length of a surfboard is what helps you paddle the board. The larger the surface area that you have the faster you are able to paddle. The faster you are able to paddle, the earlier you will be able to catch waves.
WID T H
The width of a surfboard provides rail to rail stability which helps with keeping you balanced when surfing.
T H IC K NE SS
The thickness of a surfboard gives you buoyancy which will help with paddling and catching waves as well as with maintaining speed along a wave. A typical beginners board will be 8”0’ in length, 22” wide and 3” thick. If a surfer down sizes on any of these three criteria the board will be harder to paddle, be less stable and not be as buoyant, the benefit will be that it is more manoeuvrable.
SURFING E-BOOK
HOW TO WAX A SURF BOARD
Ensuring that you have an even coverage of well-placed wax on your surf board can make a big difference in the surf. Whenever possible always start with a clean surfboard.
C LEAN I N G YOUR SURF BOARD. The easiest way to clean your board is to heat the existing wax up either in the sun or with a hair dryer. Once the wax is slightly warm simply scrape the wax off using an old credit card or similar shaped object. Once you have the majority of the wax off you will be left with a small amount of residue. To get all the dirt off of your board use a small amount of white spirit soaked into an
board, just so long as there is a good even coverage in the places that you need it. Below is a tried and tested method for getting a good coverage along with the little bumps for extra traction.
S TA G E O N E Using the corner of a block of wax mark out the area on the board that you wish to wax by drawing two lines at either end of the surfboard. If it helps put your board on the floor and stand next to it in your surf stance to help you roughly measure your markings.
S TA G E TWO Rub the flat side of a block of wax down the length of the stringer until the area that you wish to wax is covered. The result should be even lines the width of the block of wax parallel to each other.
S TA G E TH R EE Starting in the corner of your area, use
old t shirt or rag and rub the area clean.
the corner of the wax to slowly draw small
WAXI NG YOUR BOARD
area. This second layer applied in a different
Typically wax will be suited for two types of water temperature. Warm water wax and Cool water wax.
Make sure that you have the
circles slowly expanding over your entire manner to the fiats layer will layer your wax giving it extra coverage, bumps and traction for your feet.
correct wax for the water temperature that you will be surfing in. There really are no rules to waxing your
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SURFING E-BOOK
HOW TO PUT ON A LEASH -
Making sure your leash is securely fastened and in the correct position on your ankle can mean tangle free surfs and will save you the constant hassle of the leash becoming wrapped around your foot or becoming caught between your toes. *If the leash that you are about to use is looking old, tired and stretched out, it’s time to buy a new one. An old leash may snap and could mean that long swim back to the beach.
W H EN P U TTIN G YO U R LEA S H O N MA K E S U R E O F TH E FO LLOW IN G : 1. There is no dirt or sand in-between the two Velcro parts of the leash. 2. When placing the leash on your back ankle that the toggle is on the outside of your ankle. 3. Once your leash is on, smooth the Velcro over with your hand to make sure the two parts have connected properly. If you find that your leash swivels around your ankle whilst you are surfing either undo the leash and place it higher up your ankle to make it tighter or if you are wearing a wetsuit, roll up the lower leg section of your suit, put the leash on your ankle and roll the wetsuit back over the leash.
Which ankle do I put my leash on? Your leash should always be on the ankle of your back leg. If you surf with your left foot forward (regular stance) then your leash must be on your right ankle. 5
SURFING E-BOOK
POP UP
Getting to your feet quickly on your surfboard can be a tricky skill to obtain although with plenty of practise both on and off the water can be achieved quite quickly. Have a look at our guide below for some tips on how to pop up easily and efficiently.
T I MI N G - WHE N TO POP UP.
Popping up from your stomach to your feet at the correct time is probably the most important part of learning to get to your feet. Having a lightning fast pop up is no good if your timing is all out of sync with the wave. A good rule to follow that will help guide you when to pop up is: When the nose of your board dips down below the wave face – get off your stomach. So when you are paddling for a wave and you start to feel the nose of your surfboard accelerate down the wave face, that is the time to jump to your feet.
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MU C H O F TH E S P EED FR O M A P O P U P C O MES FR O M TH E B O D IES C O R E S TO MA C H MU S C LES . 1. Lying flat on a surf board or practising on hard ground- place your hands by your chest and place your feet on their toes. 2. Gradually arch your back so that your chin is raised, at the same time twist your leading hip towards the board. (your leading hip is the same side as the foot that will be placed on the wax towards the front of the board) Twisting your hip will open up the area below your chest giving your leg room to lunge forward. 3. By simultaneously using your trailing foot to push / pop forwards, lunge your front foot forwards in the aim to place it in between where your hands were on the board. 4. Slowly let go of the rails of your board and keep a straight back.
SURFING E-BOOK
See YOU SOON
CONTACT
ENGLISHSURFSCHOOL.COM (01637) 877722 -
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SURFING E-BOOK