Ocean animals are among the widely spread fear for surfers. The very real danger of sharks, jellyfish, and other creatures living in your sports field is an unpredictable factor yet can be avoided if you know how to respect their habitat. But urchins and stingrays aside, there are more factors to consider when you are a starter surfer.
The art of riding the waves has been defined in 1769. From ratchet boards to Walden surfboards created by the father of the modern longboard, surfing has been enjoyed for centuries for the naturally adventurous. It has also caused many accidents and deaths just like any high risk sport, but by knowing your limits and considering the factors, you will live to surf for many years to come.
Forecasting the weather is the first thing you should know if you are new to the sport. The ocean can get iffy in a jiffy even at the slightest change of humidity, temperature, or air pressure, so know your meteorology. The decision whether to ride today or not depends very largely on this factor.
You can observe where the waves are consistently breaking and ask another surfer who just got in the water if the conditions are alright. Watch how the surfers on the water are drifting and how much effort they spend for paddling. If you are alone and you feel that the waves are too big or the ocean is simply too messy, be smarter and surf another day.
Take note of the landscape. There are rocks, boulders, and breaks that can disable or dismember unfortunate surfers. Ask the locals and be careful around rock bottom breaks, especially if there are a lot of boulders around. Rocky cliffs can be a nightmare for beginners.
Waves are more dangerous when they are larger. Ride the size that is within your skill set, and remember that water is heavy. Just to give you the numbers, one cubic foot of water is as good as sixty two pounds. Hollow and crumbling waves are great for hard surfing, but only deal with them when you already have the experience.
The same principle should also be applied with currents. Rip currents are often dreaded, but are also the joy of the seasoned surfer, depending on the situation. Longshore currents, on the other hand, are those that run parallel to the shore and have the tendency to drag you down.
Respect your fellow surfers. When the water is crowded, it is as dangerous as a mosh pit, where you can seriously get hurt. Boards will fly in all directions and colliding with other riders is as harmful as car collisions. Never let go of your board unless you are sure that there is no one near you.
Know how to swim. The ocean is not the same as your good old swimming pool. Swimming pools do not have currents that can drag you and make swimming difficult. You should also note that your surfboard is not a flotation device, it is a sports equipment. Chances are, your surfboard will be flying out of reach when you wipe out, so do not rely on your surfboard for your safety, rely on your swimming skills.
The art of riding the waves has been defined in 1769. From ratchet boards to Walden surfboards created by the father of the modern longboard, surfing has been enjoyed for centuries for the naturally adventurous. It has also caused many accidents and deaths just like any high risk sport, but by knowing your limits and considering the factors, you will live to surf for many years to come.
Forecasting the weather is the first thing you should know if you are new to the sport. The ocean can get iffy in a jiffy even at the slightest change of humidity, temperature, or air pressure, so know your meteorology. The decision whether to ride today or not depends very largely on this factor.
You can observe where the waves are consistently breaking and ask another surfer who just got in the water if the conditions are alright. Watch how the surfers on the water are drifting and how much effort they spend for paddling. If you are alone and you feel that the waves are too big or the ocean is simply too messy, be smarter and surf another day.
Take note of the landscape. There are rocks, boulders, and breaks that can disable or dismember unfortunate surfers. Ask the locals and be careful around rock bottom breaks, especially if there are a lot of boulders around. Rocky cliffs can be a nightmare for beginners.
Waves are more dangerous when they are larger. Ride the size that is within your skill set, and remember that water is heavy. Just to give you the numbers, one cubic foot of water is as good as sixty two pounds. Hollow and crumbling waves are great for hard surfing, but only deal with them when you already have the experience.
The same principle should also be applied with currents. Rip currents are often dreaded, but are also the joy of the seasoned surfer, depending on the situation. Longshore currents, on the other hand, are those that run parallel to the shore and have the tendency to drag you down.
Respect your fellow surfers. When the water is crowded, it is as dangerous as a mosh pit, where you can seriously get hurt. Boards will fly in all directions and colliding with other riders is as harmful as car collisions. Never let go of your board unless you are sure that there is no one near you.
Know how to swim. The ocean is not the same as your good old swimming pool. Swimming pools do not have currents that can drag you and make swimming difficult. You should also note that your surfboard is not a flotation device, it is a sports equipment. Chances are, your surfboard will be flying out of reach when you wipe out, so do not rely on your surfboard for your safety, rely on your swimming skills.
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