Surfing gives you an adrenaline rush that is truly fun and exciting. Imagine riding up the waves and then abruptly sliding down the waters. Surfing is one big adventure that makes you want to go back for more. If you have are fearless in the water, make surfing your next diversion. There are many places in the Philippine where you can satisfy your love of surfing. There are even places for newbies. Places for Surfing in Philippines for beginners are easy to access and affordably priced. If you want to get started in this sport, the Philippine is the destination to go to. There are many coastal areas and beaches to choose from to begin riding your first big wave.
Top Tips for Surfing in Philippines for beginners
You canon learn surfing by yourself
The sport of surfing may look easy, but only because you are looking at the experts. Once you are on the waters, it can be quite a challenge. Never go surfing by yourself when you are a newbie or amateur. Get an experienced pal to teach you or better yet enroll in a surfing camp for beginners. You will have fewer accidents and fewer injuries if you take precautions and allow a professional to guide you.
Hire a good teacher
If you want to take some surfing lessons, you should go to the web to find some excellent teachers. Reviews and experience are important, so better check their credentials thoroughly. Good teachers don’t just tell you how to surf. They also teach you other things, such as inspiring stories about surfing and respect for the environment. You will learn that surfing is more than a hobby or sport. It is a way of life.
Big surfboards
It is crucial to get the right equipment when you’re a beginner to hasten your learning curve. People who are just starting out in surfing should choose large boards. It has a bigger surface, which allows you more movement. These boards also make better floatation gears.
Soft-top surfboards as an alternative
Some beginners believe that soft-top surfboards also make better surfboards since they are helpful in the learning process. This type of board is gentle to the feet and bottom. There will be a lot of sitting position in the surfboard before you learn to stand so something that is soft on the bum is advisable.
Use surf leashes always
If you are just beginning, you must follow all safety procedures. Surf leashes can potentially save your life when you go out of balance. You may get bothered by it since it can get in the way, but you will eventually get used to it. Make sure you are always using a surf leash.
Prepare with some light exercises
It is vital to prepare your body before surfing. You have to stretch your muscles and do some warm-ups before you hit the waters. Stretching will decrease the likelihood of muscle cramps, which can be dangerous while out on the sea. Exercise will also increase your heart rate and get your blood flowing. You will be pumped up and full of energy and oxygen to do some action.
Beginner-friendly surf beaches
You should go to a surfing camp for beginners. Some beaches will have steady waves that are perfect for people who are just starting out. Your learning process will go much better on these beaches, and you will have better chances of going to the more advanced beaches and tackle the bigger waves. There are plenty of beach camps for surfing in Philippines for beginners that let you learn the basics.
dry land first
Once you are on a beach learning surfing in Philippines for beginners, do not rush going to the waters. Spend some time on land and do some warm-ups. Do your work out and exercise your muscle memory to remember the moves you will be doing in the water. You should also examine your suit, your leash, and your board if they are in good condition. Now, is the best time to check for any damages.
Look at the movement of the water
Before you enter the water, study its movement. Where do they break? Observe the other surfers and see what they are doing. Every time you enter the water, you should do this. This practice is not just for beginner surfers but something that should be observed even after you’ve turned pro.
Fear not
Anything new can be overwhelming. However, try to relax and take in a few breaths. Meditate. Try to find your center. Remember, surfing is a passion you have chosen, so you should commit to it. If you are successful, you will be doing this sport and enjoying it for a long time.
Pace yourself
Pace yourself once you get into the water. Don’t be too overexcited. If you don’t take it slow, you might risk injury. The waters are not going away, and you have all the time in the world to surf.
Start with small steps
You should start with small steps. Begin with small, steady waves before you even begin to tackle the larger ones. You may come to a point when you feel you are ready. Unless your teacher says so, do not attempt it. You have to master surfing the regular waves before going for the big ones.
Give expert surfers their space
Expert surfers know their stuff, so it is better to stay away from where they surf. You have to acknowledge that you are a beginner and you have to give experienced surfers their space. It is likelier fo you to make mistakes which can disrupt their surfing. Keep out of the way and avoid trouble.
Practice sitting
Sitting on the surfboard may not be easy, especially on the water. It can be uncomfortable. There are two options, sit on the board with your feet out of the water or sit on the board with your feet dangling in the water. The latter gives you more stability but also exposes you to marine life, which includes…errr sharks?
Learn the prone position by heart
The prone position is something you should learn to master. You need to practice this position on dry land. First, you have to be balanced and centered while lying on your surfboard. Try to master your surfboard before you go into the water. Feel it and even move around.
Practice your pop-up
You will have mastered the prone position; the next is the pop-up. You stand up from the lying down position, and this transition should be quick and continuous. This movement is similar to push-ups. Practice the transition on land then apply it on the water.
Keep your feet moving
You have to be conscious of your feet while in the water. Don’t just leave them hanging or dangling. Do everything to keep them moving. Move them around or shuffle them. If you keep moving your feet, there are less chance that marine life will sting or bite them.
Paddling exercises
You need to be very good at paddling and never stop until you get it right. It is vital to find your rhythm and to keep it. You have to be fit and in good shape since paddling can be exhausting.
Avoid nosedives
Nosedives are something that should be avoided in surfing, but every surfer is guilty of it! We predict you will do it too! You can prevent nosediving by examining the position of your surfboard in relation to the waves. You can ask your instructor about nosedives to have a better idea on how to avoid it
Wipeouts
Wipeouts are the bane of a surfer’s life, but it comes ever so often. You will fall many times. The waves will knock you down, and you will get confused frustrated and feel like an utter failure. Get back on your feet and brush it off. It’s part of the fun of the sport.
Don’t bend your back
When you are on top of the wave, you mustn’t bend your back. Instead, bend your knees. Bending your back results in lost balance. You will also look awkward and don’t know what you are doing.
A correct way to wipeout
You will go through wipeouts. It is inevitable. However, there is a correct way to wipeout, and you should know how to fall. Your instructor will tell you how to wipe out properly. You will get an idea when you should hold your breath underwater and when you should surface.
Stay level with the whitewater
This is an important tip. When a wave is approaching, you either have to duck under it or ride it. Whichever you choose, you have to stay perpendicular to the whitewater. If you fail to do this, you will be dragged to the shore since the waves will pull you under.
Know your body
In whatever you do, you have to listen to your body. Don’t surf if you think you are tired, have low energy, or are bored. Relax and instead stay home or just stay on the shore. You can always surf for another day. Don’t push or force yourself, especially when you are just starting out.
Have fun
It is vital to have fun in what you are doing otherwise, it would be meaningless. It wouldn’t be worth spending so much time and effort on something that is making you miserable. Having fun in an activity makes you happy and enriches your life even when you are not surfing.
Surfing in Philippines for beginners’ pro tips
Surfing is a sport that requires a lot of endurance. You have to hydrate yourself as much as possible. Since you will be out in the water most of the time, it is important to drink up before you enter the waters. It is also important to have a proper diet and nutrition prior to surfing. Carbo loading the night before ss advisable for people who will be surfing the next day. Get enough sleep so you will have enough energy. Otherwise, you might collapse and give up even before riding your first wave.
For beginners, one to a couple of hours is sufficient for each surfing session. It is already a huge achievement if you managed to complete two hours on your first day. For professional surfers, they can go as long as six hours. However, before they achieve this time, they should start out with three to four-hour sessions first. The more you surf, the more you increase your muscle memory, and your body will adjust. It is crucial to stay in shape since it will affect your endurance and performance on the waves.
Surf as much as you can so you don’t unlearn your skills. There are plenty of surfing in Philippines for beginners you can go to on a weekend that is just a few hours’ trip from the city. Surfing requires your time and commitment, so be sure to put aside some vacation days so you enjoy this sport. Once you have mastered surfing the ocean and the sea is just another playground.
Surfing in Philippines for beginners –know the waves and the water
There are many types of waves, and you should know them to improve your surfing. You have to recognize the different types of waves. Surfing waves include reef breaks, point breaks, and beach breaks. Some waves are easier to ride than others.
Once you have become adept at identifying waves, you should know when waves are in season or offseason. If you are starting out, surfing in Philippines for beginners is better during the offseason. There are fewer crowds on the beaches. Warmer weather in the Philippines allows you to do away with a wet suit, which can be added bulk when you are surfing.
Final Thoughts
The sport of surfing is more fun in the Philippines with a wide array of surfing camps for all levels of skill. Surfing in Philippines for beginners is open for learners since there are plenty of qualified instructors in the country who can guide surfers who are just starting. Surfing is a fun activity that lets you enjoy nature and explore places. It also encourages you to stick to a healthy lifestyle since you need a lot of endurance and strength to be successful in the waters.
