Surfing lessons and surf camps, click for home

leucadia surf school
surfing lessons and surf camps in encinitas, leucadia & oceanside
san diego, california

San Diego surfing lessons and surf camps
SURFING LESSONS SURF CAMPS WHAT'S IN A SURFING LESSON? BEACH LOCATION PHOTO GALLERY SURF CLINICS & 2-3 DAY SURF CAMPS ENCINITAS, SAN DIEGO HOTELS HOW TO SURF (FREE SURF INSTRUCTION) SURF CAMS & LINKS REAL !!! TESTIMONIALS SITE MAP ABOUT US CONTACT INFO

learn to Surf e-Book online

Go Back to Learn to Surf table of contents page
On The Beach...
Body Positioning
Before entering the surf you should practice all techniques on the beach and familiarise yourself with what you are trying to achieve with each stage. Sorry, but you are not going to stand up with this stage. Stage 1 is all about your body positioning on the surfboard and catching waves.
To catch waves and surf it is important that the body is positioned correctly on the surfboard. Correct positioning will assist in keeping the surfboard stable and in trim and most importantly prepare you for the stand up which is described in Stage 3.
The correct way to lie on your beginner surfboard is to place your toes on the tail of the board, grip the rails below your chest, keep your head looking forward at all times and slightly raise your chest off the board. All these points are vital if you are to achieve your goal of standing and surfing waves.
Your toes should be in a position where you can cup them over the tail off the board, if you can do this your body is positioned on the board correctly, but where we want your toes is on the surfboard.
Next, grab the rails below your chest (for future reference we will call this the chest line) by grabbing the chest line we are preparing the push-up that is required to assist you get to your feet. It is vital you grab the chest line with your ELBOWS UP and not down, they are described during lessons as chicken wings. Try and identify something on your surfboard with this line, it is where your hands will remain for the duration of your surf.
Very importantly your head should be looking up and forward, this will give you balance on the surfboard and help you progress must quicker.
Pushing Up
Once you have worked out your correct positioning, the next progression is to push up. The push up is to prepare you for the stand up, it requires you to strongly push your upper body up creating an arch in your back and giving the maximum amount of clearance between your chest and the deck. An even amount of power should be used by each arm to keep the surfboard stable and in trim. Once again your head should be up and looking forward.
Coaches Tip
Before any surfing activity you should do a full body stretch. Surfing is great fun but it is also a very physical activity and the ocean is very powerful. Even if you are just out there for a bit of fun you will exert a high rate of energy from your body. Stretching before you go surfing will help you get maximum results and help prevent injuries. If it is your aim to be surfing regularly stretching should become part of your daily routine.
Go Back to Learn to Surf table of contents page

Leucadia Surf School is licensed and fully insured for the beaches of Encinitas, Leucadia & Oceanside in North San Diego, California.

City of Encinitas License #17029

 City of Oceanside License #103444
Surfing Lessons and Surf-a-Thon Surf Camps on the beaches of Encinitas, Leucadia & Oceanside in North San Diego, California.
Our surfing lessons and surf camps are near La Jolla, Torrey Pines, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff by the Sea and Carlsbad.
760-635-SURF • Surf@LeucadiaSurfSchool.com
All advertising copy and website © 2004 by Leucadia Surf School. All rights reserved.