Category: sports

Catching a wave. That’s the hardest part when it comes to surfing. Since I was small I always wanted to surf and being in Australia means surfing everyday. So the first thing I did was book surfing lessons at “Go Ride a Wave”, the best surf school in Noosa Heads.

I was more than excited for my first lesson Sunday morning at 10am. Surfing lessons are usually in the morning because that’s when the waves are perfect to surf and the wind hasn’t picked up like in the afternoon. Provided with a wetsuit, a legrope and a foam board, which is a softer surfboard out of foam, we made our way to the beach and started our lesson. It is normal to start with a 9” foot board, because it’s the perfect size for starting. When it comes to smaller boards its harder to stand up without doing a “nose dive” or loosing your balance.

When it comes to standing up there are two different options: Either you are a “normal foot” or a “goofy foot”. Luckily I found out that I am  a “normal foot” (right foot at the back) and not a so-called “goofy foot” (left foot at the back).

First step is to stand up properly, also called popping up and therefore you have two different ways: Either you do a three-step-pop-up, first on the knees, one foot to the front and then stand up, or you do a one-step-pop-up which is “sliding” up. We practiced some pop ups before putting our leg ropes on our back foot and heading into the water.

The first hour I tried standing up properly and keeping my balance on the board. The second half I already cut across the waves, which means going diagonal by turning a bit. I learned a lot during my first lesson, thanks to my awesome surf instructors Tim and Peter and I can only recommend you to take surf lessons, for example at Go Ride A Wave, when you have the possibility.

P.A.v.B.