As a surfer who grew up mostly surrounded by shortboard surfers who were the cool kids in school, I wouldn’t have chosen any other way to surf.
The older guys would ride big malibu longboards and the guys who use bodyboards kinda chose it because standing up of a shortboard was too difficult and they didn’t want to put in the effort required to ride shortboards.
Out of all the different types of surfboards to ride, shortboards are by far the most difficult to learn, however, surfing on a shortboard is the most rewarding.
Learning to surf on a shortboard requires more fitness and surfing balance than any other form of surfing. Paddling, duckdiving, catching waves, standing up (pop up on a surfboard) etc will all be covered in more detail in this ultimate guide on how to learn to surf on a shortboard.
One of the renowned and favored adventure water sports today is surfing. It involves standing or reclining on a surfboard and surfing the water in the sea. Today I’m going to explain in detail how you can ride a shortboard.
Surfing is more complicated than it appears. It is worthwhile to take in some sessions so that you may learn the essentials and, ideally, become independent. Just so you are aware of what you’re getting yourself into.
Having trouble learning to surf? Here are some high-quality surfing tips from a real surfer.
How Long Does It Take To Learn To Surf On A Shortboard?
Learning to surf on a shortboard can take three years to become intermediate. Six months to get your surfing fitness, then to paddle and duck dive. Year two will be mastering standing up, surfing etiquette, and reading the ocean. Finally, you’ll be learning to become competent at turns and cutbacks.
How Long Does It Take To Learn To Surf On A Shortboard? Surfing is a water sport with countless specifics, tricks, and equipment.
You cannot just get a board and go surfing to discover the perfect waves in the ocean since doing so could endanger your life.
It takes anywhere from two hours to a month of practice to learn to surf. Your learning curve will be steeper, and your growth will be slower if you learn to surf on a shortboard.
It might take you months rather than weeks to catch your first waves, which could add years to the time needed to surf those waves with style fully.
Increasingly working on your board when learning to surf is difficult if you use a shortboard that is only 5 or 6 feet long and has an insufficient balance for your weight.
It can take at least six months to develop the ability to continuously catch waves, pop up, and reach the wave’s shoulder, so on a longer surfboard. This learning phase could take months longer if done on a shortboard.
Surfing is one of the most difficult sports to learn. Here’s a full list why surfing is so tough.
Can I Teach Myself To Surf?
Anyone can teach themselves to surf, just keep in mind that the learning curve will be flatter than having some good surfer friends to hang out with. Watch surfing videos and read blogs like this one to help navigate the learning to surf process smoother.
If you are determined, have adequate muscular strength and endurance strength, and balancing skills, and are eager to learn proper surfing etiquette.
Plus you are ready to comprehend a clean, beginner-friendly beach location with light waves and calm currents, it is quite possible to learn how to surf on your own.
However, you must be a competent swimmer and familiar with the ocean before you start.
You can make things easier for yourself after choosing the appropriate board to discover on, looking for a reasonably small, softer, fuller break to do the same learning at.
Most likely would get out there as frequently as you can and work as hard as you would in the water knowing and understanding it.
That’s because, by far and away, the most crucial thing to develop your surfing is recognizing how to interpret the waves as well as the water all over you. Also, some brief classes to advance more quickly
What Is The Best Shortboard For A Beginner Surfer?
The best shortboard for a beginner surfer, has to be thick for extra floatation. A thick shortbaord will help a beginner with paddling speed for catching waves and will assist with standing up on the shortboard. Perhaps a twin fin could be a good option, but not necessary.
The finest newbie surfboard allows catching and riding waves as simply as possible. So that you’ll advance more quickly the more and more waves you catch.
We suggest you begin with a longboard; nevertheless, if you want to start with short boards, A shortboard with a broader nose and tail and a flatter rocker tends to be a little wider in thickness than your regular everyday use shortboard.
You can paddle them a little well and catch waves a lot easier thanks to these qualities. Additionally, they can better handle the fat and mushy parts of a wave, letting you maintain your speed into the flats.
The Performance Groveler and All-Terrain Vehicle are the most appropriate shortboards for beginners.
How To Paddle On A Shortboard
The way to paddle a shortboard is different from other surfboards. Arch your back, so that you have almost 360 degree vision (surfers need to see to be aware). Balance your chest on the shortboard, by using your chest to steer the board while paddling. Practice this in real life, you’ll understand what I mean.
Choosing where to lay your body on the surface will be the first part of learning how to paddle a surfboard.
You would want to arrange your body such that while you paddle, the surfboard feels as though it is floating.
As you attempt paddling, shift your weight forward and backward until the surfboard rests evenly on the water.
Raise your chest & put your head lifted while gazing forward to form a lovely arch in your back.
To reduce drag, raise both legs out from the water and converge them. As you paddle, cup your palms to provide more force to your palms.
One hand at once, arch them in a swimming-like manner so that both arms stick out into the waters for long, powerful strokes.
How To Duck dive On A Shortboard
The trick to a good Duck dive is gain speed, then push with two hands the shortboards nose deep into the water, reach as far as you can. Push your knee on the deck, to help propel the shortboard deeper into the face of the wave, then pull back to your chest as the wave passes.
On your surfboard, keep your body steady in the center of the board. Then Start with a couple of powerful paddles to pick up the pace.
Next, you Grip the rails on the ends of the surfboard with your hands, moving them a little more forward than when you jump up.
Breathe deeply, lean further by dipping into the water’s surface, and maintain your hands nice and straight as you nudge the surfboard’s nose back into the ocean.
Plunge the surfboard farther under the water with your foot or knee. Once the boat is in the whitewash, level the tail by pressing the back of it down using your foot until it is parallel to the surface.
Pressing the board down using your hands should be followed by a rapid one-two motion.
Holding onto the board while angling it upwards can help you glide your torso and board back to the surface again when the whitewash has subsided.
How To Catch Waves On A Shortboard
In addition to giving us the right-of-way on the water, catching the tide at the peak or if the foam first crosses the lip increases our speed because the steep pitch provides the most force.
To go to the best place to catch the wave may require developing guts, but that must be our objective.
Surfers frequently aim for the wave’s less steep corner while catching their first more giant waves before gathering the bravery to venture closer to the crest.
How To Stand Up On A Shortboard
Continue paddling until you’ve caught the wave. Lift your chest. Put your back foot in the “Chicken Wing position” and place it on the tail pad.
Utilizing your hands and back foot, push yourself up. Step forward with your front foot. Stand up when you’re stable and at ease. Examine your posture.
Shortboards are not a suitable choice for a beginner surfer, but with some effort and proper training, you may develop the skills you need.
We sincerely hope this guide was helpful to you and is very best for your journey with short boards.
How you can go from beginner surfer to intermediate surfer fast. Here’s a full article on it.