Learn How to Surf

It's easier than you think.

This How to Surf guide is filled with tips and tricks to get you up on your board and enjoying the waves in no time.

A Shortcut to Longboarding

by surferdude on September 13, 2010

Are you struggling to learn how to surf a longboard? Although the longboard is the beginning surfer’s board of choice in most cases, it can be difficult to learn at first. Rather than get frustrated on your first day at the beach, you should really take a look at Lee Ryan’s book, A Shortcut to Longboarding. This guide covers all the essentials to beginning with a longboard. It walks you through everything you need to know, including choosing a longboard, simple paddling techniques and of course how to get up on your feet and into the perfect stance. There’s also plenty of material to learn after you’ve got the basics down and Lee’s master class will teach you how to cross-step, noseride and perform drop knee cutbacks. You can even learn some very advanced moves like aerials and tube riding.

The author of the book, Lee Ryan, knows his stuff. Lee has been competing on the ASP World Longboard Tour for the past 10 years and has no fewer than nine British National titles to his name. He placed 9th in the Oxbow World Championships in Raglan in 2003 and went on to win the European Pro Division of the Biarritz Longboard Festival in France in 2004. Lee is a highly accredited professional surf coach and worked for the British Surfing Association as a Trainer/Assessor for the past 3 years before moving to New Zealand in October 2006 to continue his coaching career.

You can get A Shortcut to Longboarding here and it’s available as an instant download so you can be up and surfing in no time!

Lee Ryan

Learn how to surf from this guy.

Can A Beginner Start On A Shortboard?

by surferdude

There are no rules that say you have to learn on a longboard. There are some surfers who begin with a shortboard and master it. However, most people start out with the longboard and learn faster that way because the thickness allows you to float more and gives you more stability. A shortboard is harder [...]

Surfboard Shapes

by surferdude

There are many different shapes and sizes of boards, but most of which can be boiled down into three main categories. The type of board you choose will dictate how you’re going to catch a wave, and therefore should be chosen based on your experience level and the size of the waves you’ll be riding. [...]

How Young is Too Young for Surfing

by surferdude

A common question parents ask is how old does a child need to be to start surfing. The surprising answer is that age doesn’t really matter, to a point. All that really matters is swimming ability. There’s no set answer on age. Kids as young as 5 or 6 can probably learn to surf in [...]

Practice Before Surfing Lessons

by surferdude

Nervous about your first surfing lesson? You can practice at home before you even get out on the beach. Here are some practical quick tips for starting to surf before you hit the waves. Practice on a board in your garage. It might feel silly, but you can work on position and stance. Lay down [...]

What Are Surfing Lessons Like?

by surferdude

Curious about surfing lessons? Here are a few things you can expect in your first lesson. First, you’ll learn how to paddle and stand up while you’re still on the beach. It seems a little silly at first, but this is a great way to learn the basic mechanics before you get into the water. [...]

Getting Started: The Basics

by surferdude

1.    Wetsuit or rash guard – Depending on where you’re surfing, you’re going to need to stay warm, or cover yourself against rubbing against the rough surface of your board, which may cause rashes. This can include a full or short wetsuit, booties, a hoodie, even gloves, or a simple shirt depending on the temperature. [...]

Learn How to Surf

by surferdude

Want to learn how to surf? These guides will definitely help. We’ve got tips, tricks, complete guides and of course, great surfing videos. Nothing beats learning while doing, but if you’re stuck behind the keyboard in the office instead of out at the beach, you might as well pick up some pointers. Are you a [...]