🛡️ Rules for safe surfing
Surfing requires a sound knowledge of safety rules, which are fundamental to avoiding accidents. Some beaches are overflowing with surfers, each looking to catch the perfect wave. So that everyone can live together peacefully, rules have been established.
Knowing where and how to paddle to reach the peak, not catching a wave that's already occupied, and mastering priority on the waves are the basics that need to be integrated. Every surf school teaches these principles from the very first session. It's all about mutual respect, but also about preserving your physical integrity.
💡 Take lessons or a course on the beach
Learning to surf most often begins with lessons or a course on the beach, an almost obligatory step if you aspire to become a surfer. Specialized schools offer programs to suit all levels, from bare feet in the sand to first steps on a board.
These institutions play a guiding role, structuring learning through proven methods and practical advice. Good teaching enables you to grasp basic techniques, understand swell movements and acquire the reflexes essential for safe surfing. A well-supervised, well-adjusted start is the key to rapid, solid progress in this sport (and reconciliation with school! 😅).
🏊♂️ Master the fundamentals, like a fish in water
Mastering the fundamentals is rooted in the ability to row efficiently, stand up promptly on the board and maintain a stable position. Paddling is not just a question of strength, but of endurance and technique to move towards the point where the waves begin their course.
The take-off, the key moment when the surfer goes from lying down to standing up, demands coordination and speed. These skills form the foundation on which the entire surfing experience is built.
📚 Progression techniques for beginners
To progress in surfing, it's all about honing key techniques. Turns, for example, require repeated practice to negotiate the curve of the wave with ease. Surfing waves of different sizes exposes you to different conditions, improving your adaptability and confidence. Knowing how to fall is also part of the learning process: a controlled fall minimizes risks and reassures the mind.
A child's approach differs from that of an adult. Young surfers have a natural ability to balance and less reluctance to fall, while adults excel in technical understanding and strategic patience.
🌊 Knowing where to go to get started
The choice of initial surf spot has a significant impact on the learning experience. In France, places like Biarritz, Hossegor and the Ile d'Oléron are renowned for their ideal conditions for beginners.
These spots offer the perfect playground for getting used to the sensations of surfing, gaining confidence and practicing the basics at your own pace. Choosing the right spot means building a solid foundation in the sport, without being overwhelmed by intimidating waves.
🏄♂️ Choose your equipment with care
Initial equipment shapes early surfing experiences. For beginners, a foam board is a must. It offers safety and stability for learning the basics. More forgiving of falls, it also builds confidence on the water.
When it comes to wetsuits, choosing the right size is crucial for optimum comfort and freedom of movement. The leash, often underestimated, is an indispensable safety element that keeps the board within reach, so you don't have to swim after it every time you fall.
These tools are the companions of the first waves, carefully selected, they make learning more enjoyable and efficient.
🌐 Understanding the ocean and its waves
Sailing on waves requires more than physical skill, it's a dance with the ocean. Understanding its rhythms, knowing when a wave will break and the type of tide affects the surf session. Educational videos and books dedicated to surfing enrich this understanding.
Boards only find their true potential when the surfer knows how to read the water: the hollow that announces a good wave or the flat that warns of calm seas. The tide, with its ebb and flow, changes the face of the spot, indicating when it's time to get in the water or stay on the beach. This knowledge influences every decision, from spot selection to on-the-water tactics.
🔄 Experience comes from practice
In the world of surfing, perseverance in regular practice is key. Each session brings its own set of lessons, reinforcing what you've learned and highlighting new challenges to overcome. Learning is a journey, not a destination. Progress is measured in small victories: a wave better negotiated, a fall with grace (well, it's all relative 😅 ), a tighter turn.
These moments of triumph reinforce our determination and encourage us to push our limits. On the board, above the water, every mistake becomes a learning opportunity, every success a step closer to mastery. This quest for progression, imbued with patience and dedication, forges skilled surfers and resilient spirits, ready to dance with waves the world over.
📈 Knowing when it's time to move on to the next level
Recognizing the right moment to raise your surfing level is important in a surfer's trajectory. The signs are there: a new-found ease in handling current waves, a hunger for bigger challenges, and a technical mastery that needs to be tested against bigger waves.
A change of spot is then an obvious choice. Opting for a different board, perhaps less stable but offering greater maneuverability, also marks this transition. It's in this desire to surpass oneself, to push one's limits, that progression takes shape.
🛜 Staying connected to Lokki
The Lokki Media, with its weekly publication of articles on outdoor sports, is positioned as a great resource for surf enthusiasts. Each article, written by enthusiasts, offers valuable insights, practical advice and inspiring stories.
Whether it's discovering new spots, honing your technique or simply immersing yourself in surf culture, Lokki is a bridge between sessions at sea. By logging on regularly, the learning continues.
