How To Choose The Right Wave and Catch It

A surfer can have great technique and stamina but if they don’t know how to choose the best wave to show off their skills they will always be at a disadvantage. Choosing the right wave is one of the core elements for a surfer.

Before a surfer even hits the water with his board you will often see him surveying the break. This is particularly important when surfing in competitions as it reduces the “luck factor”. It will also help beginners work out where to paddle to for the size of the break they are looking for.

When checking the breaks from the beach the surfer should be looking for the “peak variables”. These include identifying the spot producing tdhe peaks that best suit the surfers’ style. A second peak break should also be noted in case the first choice stops breaking. Another observation which will help in wave choice is to check the time sets, that is, how often the waves are coming through and the number of waves in each set.

Landmarks are also an essential observation that should be made before entering the surf. This will help the surfer to judge how far the paddle is to the break and the best access point to get there. Don’t discount running up the beach and re-entering the water as the quickest and easiest method. Landmarks are also useful when sitting in the line up to ensure you are in the optimum position to catch your chosen wave.

Once the surfer can make good wave choices, the next hurdle is to catch them. This involves good positioning in the line-up, paddling at the correct time to get onto the wave, taking the drop and then making the most of riding the wave from beginning to the end.

Inexperienced surfers typically paddle for to many waves rather than being selective. This in turn means more unsuccessful attempts to catch waves, catching the wrong waves and losing position in the line-up. This in turn contributes to one of the most common mistakes made in catching waves which usually occurs on take-off.

Those new to the sport of surfing naturally do not have the confidence of the practiced riders. This is generally because they don’t really want to be smashed which of course no surfer wants. It is for this reason that learner surfers attempt to catch waves from the shoulder of the peak. That is they are not on the steep face of the wave. These surfers need to practice catching the wave from where it first breaks.

The other common mistake made by novice surfers is that by getting anxious about the take-off they will often not make it over the lip and fall off the back of the wave. These surfers need to be aware of the ledge at the top of the wave that must be broken through to make the drop. To achieve this the surfer must paddle positively until they break the lip. The type of wave will determine how difficult it is to break over the lip and take the drop. Once a surfer learns to read the waves with accuracy they should then adjust their paddling accordingly.

In summary,

• 1.Surfers should spend time observing the surf from the beach before hitting the water.
• 2.They should then position themselves in a good position to catch a wave while waiting in the line-up.
• 3.Once the correct wave has been chosen the rider needs to paddle confidently to break the lip at the correct time and drop down the wave face.

How to choose a good wave and catch it? Easy as 123.

And if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again and never, never, never give up.