The 6 most common beginner’s mistakes

Learning to surf: Between wave chaos and feelings of happiness

When you learn to surf, you learn humility.
You stand in the sea with your board, the salt water stinging your eyes, the Atlantic doing whatever it wants – and you ask yourself: why does it look so easy for everyone else?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Every surfer – even those who glide effortlessly through green waves today – has sat frustrated in the white water at some point, cursing their board and wondering whether surfing is really worth it.

Surfing is not a sport that you can master in a few days. It is a process – physically, mentally and emotionally. But it’s worth it. Because nothing compares to the feeling when you stand up for the first time, the wave carries you and you feel: this is freedom.

In our surfing courses on Fuerteventura, we see frustration turn into enthusiasm every day. To help you get there a little faster, we’ll show you the six most common beginner mistakes in surfing – and how to avoid them.

If you thought that after three days of surfing lessons you would be riding waves like Kelly Slater, you will probably come crashing down to earth with a bump.

The first few sessions often feel like doing yoga on a floating air mattress during a storm. Your body learns to balance itself, your mind learns patience – and you learn that white water can also be fun.

Tip:
Don’t put pressure on yourself. Surfing isn’t a sprint, it’s a flow. Every little improvement counts. And believe us: your first clean take-off will feel like you’ve mastered Pipeline.

Here you can find more information about mental training for surfers!

Sure, shortboards look cooler.
But if you switch to a mini board too early, you’ll usually end up surfing longer… in frustration.

At FreshSurf, we deliberately give you a large softboard to start with. It may not look fancy, but it’s your key to quick success.

Tip:
Big board – more stability – faster progress.
The pros didn’t start out with toothpicks either – and yes, you’ll still look damn good doing it!

More on this: Learning to take off correctly

Welcome to the washing machine.
You paddle out, fight against every wave, are completely exhausted – and the sea wins.

The trick is not to fight the waves, but to work with them. Learn to use channels (natural currents) and observe the sea before you go in.

Tip:
Take breaks between sets, use the currents and stay calm. If you get stuck, take a deep breath, go with the flow and smile. The sea is in no hurry – and neither are you.

Read also: Learning to read waves

This is the surfing equivalent of ‘queue jumping in a bar’ – and is guaranteed to put people in a bad mood.
A drop-in happens when you ride into a wave that someone else is already riding. Locals in particular take this very personally.

Tip:
Learn surfing etiquette: whoever is closer to the peak has priority.
A sincere ‘sorry’ or a friendly smile works wonders – and will quickly make you popular in the line-up.

More on this: Surfing rules & line-up etiquette

Surfing without a leash is like driving without a seatbelt – brave, but stupid.
The leash keeps you and your board together and prevents your board from becoming a flying weapon.

Tip:
Check your leash before every session.
It is your safety belt in the ocean – and ensures that you and everyone else get back to the beach safely.

Read on: Why you should always surf with a leash!

You think you don’t need to wax your board? Oh boy, you’re wrong!
An unwaxed board is more slippery than a banana peel on ice. Without wax, every take-off becomes a slapstick moment.

Tip:
Take the time to wax your board properly – preferably before you go into the water, not afterwards. It takes two minutes and saves you countless involuntary slips.

You can find more information about waxing surfboards here!

At FreshSurf on Fuerteventura, you don’t just learn how to surf – you learn to understand the sea.
Our experienced coaches accompany you from your first white water to the line-up, with empathy, patience and a good dose of humour.

‘This was my third time at Fresh Surf in four years, and I’m still very happy with the whole team. Julian is genuinely interested in helping you learn and improve your skills.’

— Franzi, TripAdvisor

Whether you’re travelling alone or with friends, with us you’ll find the perfect mix of learning, laughter and letting go.

Book your surf course now!

After your first successes, the real learning process begins.
You learn how to position yourself correctly, get a feel for the timing and perfect your take-off.
With every paddle stroke, your confidence grows – in yourself, your board and the sea.

At FreshSurf, we accompany you on this journey – step by step, wave by wave.

‘I had a fantastic week. I booked five surfing lessons, and we were in small groups. The instructors are really great and pay attention to detail. Friendly staff – highly recommended!’

— TripAdvisor reviewer

We help you to avoid the most common mistakes, learn to surf with us:

Even more surfing knowledge: Everything you need to know about surfing