One of the most important things that you have to learn when first starting to surf is learning the art of paddling. I know that most of us would rather skip this step – but it is a crucial and very important step that everyone must pass before they can move on to become a successful surfer.
When learning how to surf it always helps to start when you’re young, but age isn’t always as important as where you are at physically. The best cross-training for surfing is swimming. At least 95 percent of your surfing time will be spent paddling rather than riding waves. To make this a bearable experience, you must have a strong upper body. A pool will work, but the best option is open-ocean swimming.
Nothing is more important to someone who is beginning to surf than having the right surf board. Those thin, narrow boards that the stars are riding may look exciting, but they are a disaster for those who are just starting to learn the ropes. Try not to spend too much on your first board because you are going to scratch it up quite a bit.