How to Improve Your Surfing
Northern Beaches Surfer Ryan Hayfield of Manly Surf Guide offers the following tips to help you improve at surfing!
1: Go Surfing Every Day
If you were to only do one of these ten tips, this is the one.
Try and surf everyday, even if it's just for 20 minutes before work or after work.
Or if it's 1 foot with onshore winds, seaweed and blue bottles, just get out there! The ocean rewards you for it. Ever wondered why all the best surfers in the water always get the bombs? It's not just good luck, they surf a lot and have developed good wave knowledge.
Surfing everyday keeps you on your toes and you stay in a good rhythm. The Northern Beaches are pretty consistent for waves and I think there are only about 20 flat days a year in and around Sydney, so no excuses get out there!
2: Stretch Before You Surf
Being flexible is really important for your surfing. If you are really stiff, you surf stiff and have a stiff style. Keep nice and flexible and you will have a nice loose style.
5 minutes a day is all it takes.
3: Strong Legs and Core
Having strong legs and core is really good for your surfing. You can get really low in your bottom turns and get a lot more power in your turns.
Fanning is a prime example, he has supper strong legs and a strong core. Having big arms and pec's does nothing for your surfing. Paddle power comes with fitness and the only way to paddle better is to go surfing and paddle, not lift metal.
4: Have a Quiver of Surfboards
There is no such thing as an all rounder. 0-2' ft you need a sick little fish, 2-6' ft you need a nice short board, 6-10' ft you need a nice little semi gun.
I think surfing different boards is great for your surfing.
5: Surf Different Beaches And Waves
Surf different waves and beaches. Go on surfing trips and surf the world. This is really good for your surfing and your soul.
6: Surf with Other Good Surfers
Watch how they surf and let them inspire you not intimidate you.
7: Ride Good Boards
Don’t buy cheap boards made by someone who's never even seen the ocean before for the sake of saving $100 or $200.
Get good name boards and support your local shapers.
8: Buy a Good Wetsuit
Don’t skimp on a cheap wetsuit; you pay for it in flexibility and warmth.
9: Use the Right Wax for the Water Temperature
Summer = Orange Sex Wax
Winter = Green Sex Wax
Indo = Red Sex Wax
10: Be Happy and Nice to People in The Water
Surf to relax and have fun, not to be a hero.
All Photographs Courtesy of Northern Beaches Photographer
Sarah Christensen