1. Warm-Up
- Perform light stretches to loosen your core, lower back, and shoulders—these areas endure significant strain.
2. Finding the Sweet Spot on the Board
- Lie on the surfboard with your feet together and your body centered. The board should remain level in the water—neither the nose nor tail should stick out. Memorize
your positioning for consistency, as this minimizes drag and optimizes paddling efficiency.
3. Preserving Arm Strength
- Use Florida's sandy bottoms to stand and dive under waves with the board. Grip the rail tightly and pull the board under the surface as you dive to reduce wave
impact. Save your arms for paddling and popping up by relying on your legs for diving.
4. Effective Paddling
- Paddle with deep, strong strokes, submerging your arm to the elbow. Keep fingers tight together to maximize propulsion. While resting during lulls, be ready to paddle
hard when waves approach to avoid being caught inside.
5. Positioning on the Outside
- Once beyond the breaking waves, sit on your board to scan for incoming sets and maintain your position. Use your hands and feet to pivot the board efficiently,
especially in crowded lineups or shifting conditions.
6. Catching Waves
- Position yourself near the wave’s peak, turn toward the shore, and paddle hard. As the wave lifts you, grab the rails and pop up quickly, with your back foot near the
fins and your front foot a few feet ahead. Stand swiftly to avoid the nose diving and adjust your stance to maintain balance.
7. Turning the Board
- Bend your knees and use your back foot to press on the fins while leaning with your torso. Keep your core centered and arms raised for balance. Drive through the turn
with your legs and core for smoother rides.
8. Safety Precautions
- Avoid areas with heavy fish activity or feeding birds. Use sunscreen, wear a leash, and never surf alone. Be mindful of rip currents and learn to paddle parallel to
the shore to escape them. Always assess conditions based on your skill level and never panic in challenging situations.
Scoring Good Waves on the Florida Coast
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Spot Selection
- Inlets and piers often have better waves due to unique sandbar formations, though crowds can be an issue.
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Wind Conditions
- Optimal surf occurs with calm or offshore winds (westerly), creating smooth, glassy wave faces.
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Tides
- Some sandbars work best at specific tides. For example, mid-tide conditions (2-3 hours before and after low tide) may yield better waves.
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Observation and Forecasting
- Regularly observe your local breaks to understand how conditions affect them. Use cams and surf reports for real-time updates, but be prepared for crowds due to
modern forecasting tools.
Final Tip: Surfing requires patience and practice. Embrace the learning process, enjoy the ocean, and refine your skills through observation and
experience.