How To Improve Your Surfing

Surfing is a lifestyle, not a sport.

Once you’re hooked, that’s it – you’ll dream of riding waves for the rest of your life. Naturally then, you’ll always want to be better than the last time you went out. Power, speed, style, you name it. There’s always more to be done, and if the passion runs deep, you’ll want to do it. So without further ado, here are our tips on how to turn from Kook to Kelly real quick… 

Surf more

Surf in the heat. Surf in the cold. Surf in the freezing cold. To be fair, if you live in the UK, you don’t really have a choice anyway. What we mean though, is surf whenever you can. The most simple and obvious answer we can give, but seriously, it works. It’s the quickest way to improve. Also, surfing year-round gives you the chance to go out when all the sun worshippers have gone home and the line-up is clear. Bliss.

Improve your fitness

Surfing requires flexibility and power. If you’re too stiff in the legs, hips and back, you can’t be powerful and in control. Regular stretching will help to strengthen your positioning, so focus on squatting low with correct form. Training for the short bursts of speed and power involved in surfing takes time. Set goals to keep you motivated, and remember to reflect on your progress. If you’ve done an awesome barrel or sick air turn, feel the stoke!

Surf different beaches and waves

Travel! One of the best perks of the sport (sorry, lifestyle) is that it can take you from coast to coast, searching for the best waves. Adapting to different breaks, wave types and water conditions can really make a difference to your performance as an all-round surfer. Bringing surfer friends is a great idea too – if will push you to try your hardest and you can have a laugh at any wipe-outs over a local beer after.

Get a good wetsuit

Sadly for some, boardies aren’t an option all year-round. Or, for the Scottish, at all! Upgrading your wetsuit is the single biggest thing you can do to improve your performance. Your level and the time you spend surfing should determine how much you invest in a wetsuit. The best brands will cover entry-level right through to high-end wetsuits, so you can be sure you’re getting bang for your buck. For guidance, check out a few of our faves below.

Entry-level:

Rip Curl Men's Omega 3/2mm Flatlock Back Zip Wetsuit |  Gul Response Women's FX 3/2mm GBS Wetsuit

Mid-level:

Quiksilver Men's Syncro 3/2mm Chest Zip Wetsuit |  Billabong Women's Salty Dayz 3/2mm Chest Zip Wetsuit

High-end:

Rip Curl Men's Flashbomb Heatseeker 5/3mm Zip Free Wetsuit |  Rip Curl Women's Flashbomb 5/3mm Chest Zip Wetsuit

Relax!

We can’t urge this enough. Nerves, impatience, giddiness or stress leading up to a session will affect your performance. You should build slowly into a surf, creating a proper rhythm and just going down the line in a nice flow. Once you’re there, you can start increasing the attack level. But first, find your happy place, breathe, and let the ocean do its thang...

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