Top Tips

Where to surf ride

First find a beach with wide stretches of level sand and clean breaking waves preferably free from pebbles and rocks.

When to surf ride

There needs to be some ‘life’ in the waves to surf ride. Don’t waste your time with an original board in a calm sea - you're better off swimming or taking time out on the beach or in the local cafe.

Conditions vary enormously but the surf is often at its best on an incoming tide. In the height of summer avoid the busiest times if you can. We’ve had the most fun in the surf early or late in the day when there’s more room to ride - you can share a wave with a friend or go for the ”sole surfing’ experience.

How to surf ride

Bizarrely one of the best ways to learn to surf ride is to surf without a board! If you’ve never used a wooden surf board before - we suggest that you only go out to waist high water and get your timing right before attempting the biggest breakers. More experienced surfers can don flippers and join the pro surfers out the back.

Holding the board

To avoid a major nose dive make sure you hold it with the curve facing upwards! Most people hold the board just before the curve starts, but its a personal thing - just hold it where it feels most comfortable.

You need to think of the board as a part of yourself and then yourself as a part of the wave. It’s important to hold the board tightly against your body before you ‘take-off’ as a loosely held board may prove quite painful if there are powerful waves about.

The Take off

This is the crucial moment! Timing is more critical than with a boogie board. The art is to time your take-off at the point when the wave is breaking. You need to get yourself into a position where you can flatten yourself onto the board with the least amount of effort and the least delay as you launch into the wave.

Don’t just catch the first wave that comes along - take a good look out to sea and study the waves in the distance. Also be aware of fellow surfers in the sea.

Safety advice

Excellent safety advice on Royal National Lifeboat Institute's website www.rnli.org.uk with links to surf forecasts and beach guides too.