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Surfing for me began with an old, beat up balsa wood surfboard and a 1 foot white water wave rolling close to shore. I was blessed to have a school mate initiate me into surfing. He gave me a couple essential beginner surfing tips and off I went.
It took two of us to carry the heavy wooden surfboard out into the small waves in roughly waist deep water. We set the surfboard down, turned “the nose” towards shore, patiently waited for the next wave, and tested out our beginner surfing tips.
Moments later I was up and surfing my first wave ever to the shore! As many before me I was hooked, I was instantly transformed.
Sticking with it my surfing naturally and steadily progressed over time to a point I never dreamed. I found myself surfing literally the smallest waves to biggest waves in the world.
Along the way I gained great insights into surfing, the ocean and life itself from other surfers who helped lead the way. And I marvel at how it all started with these 5 beginner surfing tips. The great waterman Eddie Aikau taught me respect for and how to read the ocean. As it was my firt time surfing Hawaii, I was grateful for Aikau's beginner surfing tips.
I felt it was important to share the ocean knowledge I’d gained with other surfers both pro and beginner. In fact, I was amongst the first if not the first to teach surfing professionally on the North Shore of Oahu.
Along with my twin brother Milton the two of us personally taught thousands how to successfully surf as well how to have respect and reverence for the ocean.
After 20 years of teaching surfing lessons in Hawaii and California the Willis Brothers School of Surfing had mastered teaching surfing, offered the best beginner surfing tips, was rated number 1 in the world and earned 5 consecutive years of 5-star ratings from trip advisor.
Most importantly than ratings out of 1,000’s of students of all ages, size and ability the Willis Brothers School of Surfing can boast of a stellar 100% success rate during their 20 plus years of operation. No other school for surfing has equaled this achievement.
So take it from me, Michael Willis World Champion Big Wave Surfer and Expert Surf Instructor you can trust the following 5 essential surfing tips will be extremely beneficial.
It helps to know before you go! So here we go 5 essential beginner surfing tips from me to you!
Aloha and Happy Surfing!
1.The Right Surfboard
Start with proper equipment. It’s never been easier to find a great beginner surfboard tailored for your age and overall height, weight and the shape you are in.
Foamies or soft surfboards such as Wave Storm, Gerry Lopez and Costco SB are perfect to learn on. As a general rule for adults learning to surf for the first time, the bigger the surfboard the easier it will be to ride.
Soft surfboards though initially developed for beginner surfers have also become popular with world class surfers including Hawaii’s Jaime O’Brian, Pipeline legend Gerry Lopez and famous big wave surfers the Willis Brothers Milton and Michael.
Today soft surfboards can be seen ridden by all skill levels from beginners to pro surfers on waves from small and mushy to waves big and powerful all over the world.
2. Choosing the Right Wave
Now that you have the perfect surfboard
to begin its time to find the perfect waves to begin with. The perfect wave for beginners is already crested small white water waves referred to by old salts as “the 
soup”
Before venturing out further to the ocean swells it’s best to hone your timing, pop up skills and balance on the inside, slower white water waves closer to shore. Surfing closer to shore on the smaller waves offers a myriad of advantages including catching more waves with no competition.
As you build your confidence, skill and wave knowledge you will naturally progress to higher levels of proficiency and more advanced waves enjoying your surfing all along the way.
3. The Pop Up
One of the biggest mistakes beginner surfers make is thinking they have to “pop up” rapidly or as quickly as possible. The opposite is true. Relax, remember the ABC’s of surfing Always Be Cool as in calm!
Watch closely at experienced surfers getting to their feet and though at first glance the pop up looks swift upon further looking you will see fluidity and flow not power and speed. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. If you want to get to your feet quickly take your time, seems counterintuitive but it’s true.
4. Length of Ride
Perhaps one of the best tips for surfers of all levels is ride your waves to completion or as far as you can. The longer your ride the more experience you will gain from surfing. The more experience you gain from surfing the better surfer you will become.
I remember seeing surfers like my twin brother Milton and friend Derrick Doerner surfing Waimea bay. Most surfers would ride half way in before getting off the wave. Not Milton and Derrick, they would ride their waves all the way to the shore and then paddle back out. Great exercise for paddling as well setting up your wave catching rhythm.
5. Beginner’ Mind
And finally the last and maybe most important tip for beginner and experienced surfers alike. Maintain a beginner’s mind.
When you approach surfing through a “beginners mind” your mind will be open to new experiences and approaches to wave riding that otherwise would remain dormant due to been there done that syndrome.
When people first start surfing every thing is fresh and exciting! A 2 foot blown out wave is awesome. After a few years of fresh and exciting some surfers get jaded, suddenly the waves just aren’t good enough. Don’t let that happen to you! Always hold onto the beginner mindset.
That’s all for now! Stay stoked my friends! Watch out for one another and remember to cheer for the others! We are in this together.
If you learned anything or enjoyed this please drop a comment and share.
Much Love and happy surfing!
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