Algarve is one of the best place to learn surfing in the world. There are just plethora of surf camps and surf lessons spread along the Algarve coasts. Nevertheless, learning on how to ride the waves in the best place ever won’t prevent you from making beginner mistakes. It’s just bound to happen at some point during your learning. However, you can still anticipate these beginner surfing mistakes and do your best during the training. Some of these are not even taught formally on surf school—sometimes you need to learn this the hard way from experience. But now you don’t have to, cause we are here to share some of the beginner surf mistakes secret to take your surfing skills to the next level!
Missing Time to Pop Up on A Wave during the Surf Lessons in Algarve
On your firsts day of surf lessons in Algarve, you will spend a awful lot of time paddling on a wave, trying to figure out when is the best time to pop up. The problem is, many beginners has too much doubt when they are paddling and approaching a wave. They think that the wave are about to break on them and they are just afraid to pop up. When you do that, you will fear to nose dive—and all the doubt and fear will throw you off the board. The best thing to pop up on the board is just when the waves are about to break. When you pop up up right away, you will catch the energy of the wave break, and this will give you more balance to stand on the board. Imagine riding a bike; the faster you go, the easier it is to stay balanced.
Placing Your Hands at The Wrong Part of the Board
Surfers begin their wave riding by lying on the board and paddling towards the wave. Problem happens when they are about to pop up. See, most beginners tend to grab the rail of the surf board. When you grab the rail as you stand up, you will shake the board and throw off the balance. The result? You get thrown off the board as you try to stand up. The right way is to put your hands flat on the board. This way, you are applying equal pressure on both sides on the board to keep it balanced. You will have easier time to pop up.
Frantically Paddling Like Crazy during the Surf Lessons Algarve
Another most common mistakes made by beginners is paddling. Most beginners during the surf lessons Algarve find themselves paddling frantically without actually going anywhere. Don’t do that. The trick is actually paddle slower. Slower paddling drives smoother movement, at that helps you to move faster. Think about paddling in a gigantic tub of jelly. Imagine that it’s hard and you have to move your arms slowly, firmly to get through the jelly. This kind of movement allows you to move more water behind you, which helps pushing you faster.
Looking Down When Paddling
A lot of beginners tend to look down at the board when they are paddling. And when you look down, you will nose dive. The right way is to keep your head up when paddling. Pick a spot at the beach to look at. Think about driving a car or riding a bike when you paddle. You never look down when you ride, don’t you?
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Fall From Board in the Wrong Way
You will fall from the board at some point during your surf lessons in Algarve. But how to fall safely and protect yourself from getting hit? When you fall off, remember to push yourself away as far as you can from the board. Try to not fall either behind or in front of the board, in case it comes back towards you. When you fall, try to get on one of the side and fall flat. Falling flat keep you protected from anything comes from underwater and keep yourself in the surface. You will have easier time to catch the board and ride it again.
Overall, just remember to not get nervous; either by people around or by your own mistakes. Try to keep calm and do your best! Happy surfing.