It may come as a surprise to many to learn that the UK actually contains some fantastic beaches for learning to surf. Surfing is an extremely challenging pursuit, yet the rewards that come with improvement are well worth the multiple wipe outs.

First, you will need to find a beach that is suitable for your level of experience. Beaches with quality surf schools and manageable waves are in abundance around the UK. For example, those in the north-east of England may consider a trip to Saltburn beach. Here, suitably tame beginner waves can be easily located either side of the pier. Furthermore, Saltburn Surf Shop, found just above the beach, provides beginners with absolutely everything you need; from affordable lessons, through to handy advice on equipment. Knowing which board to buy can be a tricky business as a rookie; friendly advice is always worth seeking out.

The south-west of the UK is a popular location for budding surfers and with good reason. Cornwall itself is littered with excellent beaches for surfing. In particular, Newquay prides itself on Fistral Beach; coining it ‘The Best Surf in Europe’. Despite its popularity amongst more advanced surfers, it is also ideal for beginners. Smaller, more manageable waves can be found without too much difficulty. It is also worth considering that Fistral Beach is home to the Quiksilver Surf School; one of the premier surf schools in the UK.

However, the popularity of Fistral Beach may be off-putting to some newcomers. It may be a little disheartening to struggle to stand up on your board in modest surf whilst others are catching waves up to 40 feet high! For those who desire a quieter place to learn to surf around Newquay, Watergate Bay may be a good alternative. At low tide, the sea at Watergate Bay is absolutely perfect for beginners, with small waves and a gentle current, allowing for less of a struggle when you fall off. Again, good quality beginner surf instruction is available. The Xtreme academy teaches here; as the name suggests, they also teach other ‘extreme’ sports for those who fancy broadening their horizons beyond surfing.

To prepare to learn to surf, you will need a decent board. All beginner-friendly surf beaches in the UK should have a surf shop nearby. Resist the urge to plunge in and buy the first board you see; ask lots of people for advice and make an informed purchase. You may find a better deal by doing so online, in advance of your trip. If you are unsure as to whether you will take to the sport, it may be more cost effective to simply hire a board for the day.

There are numerous beaches in the UK that are ideally suited to beginner surfing, and not just those in Cornwall; other beaches such as Pease Bay in Scotland and Llangennith in Wales offer ideally sized waves, again supported by good quality surfing schools. Beginner beaches are nationwide; wherever you are in the country, you should be able to find a suitable beach within relatively easy reach.

Surfing is a whole other world. You have to be in it to understand it completely. Surfers have a brotherhood that ties them together for life. If surfing has got you interested and you want to know more about it, let’s take you through the process and common terms.

On large open surfaces of water, swells are created in particular weather conditions. They occur several miles into the sea and make their way towards the shoreline, creating big waves that are ideal for surfing. Wind conditions affect the waves immensely. It is the tail end of the waves that all surfers love. Moderately strong offshore winds that blow into the front portion of the wave like a tube or hollow barrel are ideal for surfing. Swell conditions vary across the world and change with different weather conditions. For surfing you need a good surf board, wetsuit to protect you from the sun, wax for the board, a leash and fins. While learning to surf, catching the first wave to take you further is the most difficult. In fact, catching a good wave is a sign of a great surfer. A surfer catches the wave then stands on the board and rides the wave to the best of his ability with some common sense and some signature moves. To understand surfing better, here is glossary of terms.

• Take off means to catch and start riding the wave.
• Goofy Foot means keeping the left foot on the back of the board.
• Natural Foot is placing the right foot on the back of the board.
• Pop up is when you switch your position from lying flat to standing in one single jump.
• Snaking is waddling or paddling in water to get into the best position possible for surfing.
• Duck Dive is when the surf board is pushed underwater with its nose in front through a wave without any riding.
• Cutback means cutting back toward the breaking part of the wave.
• Hang five or hang ten is a surfing move when you put five or all ten toes over the nose of the board.
• Hang Heels is when a surfer is facing backwards and puts his heels over the edge of the board.
These are just a few terms; there are many more that you can learn as you go along. While you go to surf school or surf camp you will come across all these terms.

If you’re looking for a surfing school or a special surfing retreat in Australia, visit http://www.soulsurfing.com.au You will find all the information you need to start riding the waves!

More Surfing Articles

STAND UP PADDLE BOARD SURFING

Stand Up Paddle Board Surfing or “SUP’S” for short, is fast becoming a global sport that in some areas are shouting as the New Global Surfing Phenomenon.

Stand Up paddle Boards became quite popular but, it seems only in Hawaii, as the rest of the world was not overly impressed, and as the ’60′s moved to the ’70′s the “Sups” were all but pushed aside by the “short board” era, and a bunch of Aussie’s reaping havoc on the world, by winning surfing titles galore, and in Hawaii’s own back yard, did not sit well with the Hawaiians.

“SUPS”

The Stand Up Paddle Board or “Sups” as it is called originated in Polynesia, but the Hawaiians took it on as their own and developed it in the ’60′s. They began with it to instruct large groups of learners and the higher stance gave them a better viewpoint, to sight the pending swells way out the back. The Stand Up Paddle Board used a single paddle with a long handle that was used to great effect to propel them forward, and not much has changed today. However, today pushing 2010, “Sups” have again grabbed a spot in Global popularity and has been suggested by athletes as the total work out fun machine that you can do standing up. In effect it gives you a strong “core’ work out. You can do it on still water anywhere, or as a supplement to surfing by Paddle Boarding the surf.

WHAT IS A STAND UP PADDLE BOARD?

What is a Stand Up Paddle Board? They can be best described as over sized surfboards that are fairly fat. but thicker or fatter than some, to offer good flotation. “Sup’s” can be “Custom Made” at a hefty price, but most are basic model shop boards, to keep the cost down, and most board makers and surf shops keep a standard or high performance model on hand in the showroom. These models are between, generally 9’6″ up to 12’6″ in some cases for the larger user, with the smallest size being most popular as a performance model. They also feature padded deck grip with concave or double concave bottoms, with three fins for turn and directional stability. “Sup’s” can be used pretty well any where, on the lakes, rivers, or for that big work out, used as the new surf weapon.

SURFING PHENOMENON

This New Surfing Phenomenon, used in the surf for a complete fun work out, is set to explode in a Global fashion by exploring a new way of surfing, and rest assured a Stand Up Paddle Board, are set to be the New Surfing Phenomenon, and change the current idea of surfing forever.

Related Surfing Articles

The Beach Boys sang about waxing down their surfboards and waiting for June, well there’s no need to wait for June on Lanzarote as the surfing season continues all year round. Even though the main surf beaches may be relatively free of crowds at the moment, there are still a few committed surfers who go out every day. However, plenty of surf fans will be planning their surf holidays for next summer and booking their flights to this popular island in the Atlantic.

Several of the surf schools on the island have been in business for over 10 years now and have well established bases, coaching surfers from all over Europe throughout the year. Famara is the best known spot on Lanzarote for surfing, for various reasons. It’s location is key, being in the perfect spot to receive those ideal Atlantic swells that roll in continuously, sometimes quite aggressively, sometimes more gently for beginners. Famara also has great sand, to keep the spectators happy and, being quite remote from the typical tourist beaches, there’s no problem with sun seekers getting in the way. An added benefit is the area’s beauty, with no lack of wonderful scenery to provide a perfect backdrop to a day’s surfing the waves.

Only rarely will surfers experience the huge waves that non-surfers conjure up in their minds when they think about the typical Hawaiian surfers shown in advertisements and film scenes, but for most of the surfers that visit Lanzarote, such big rollers would only mean most people having to sit out the day on the beach, watching just a handful of professional?level superstars getting their kicks. No, for majority of people the temperate waves of Lanzarote’s surf beaches are plenty big enough. In addition to the favoured beach at Famara, the tiny island of La Graciosa, which lies off the north west coast of Lanzarote, provides an alternative surf spot just south of the beach at Playa de las Conchas. South of Famara is another area around the La Santa Sports Club, with a choice of 4 locations, but only recommended for more experienced surfers due to the speed of the waves and the rocky sea bed.

Some final choices on the southern end of Lanzarote’s western coast are El Golfo and Janubio beach, both suitable for surfers of intermediate ability. Lanzarote has also gained a great reputation as one of the best competition locations in Europe and regularly hosts the European legs of the world’s top international surfing competitions. In early November 2009 the Santa Pro surf competition was held at Famara beach, although organisers were forced to shift beaches south to la Santa for a couple of days due to the conditions. Almost one hundred competitors competed for the prizes and huge twelve foot waves provided exciting conditions. Australian professional Drew Courtney defeated Brazilian Bernardo Miranda in the final.

Earlier in the year, during July, Spain held its national kitesurfing championships in Lanzarote at Playa de Famara, when 84 competitors visited the island to compete for the national titles. Top level windsurfing also came to Lanzarote during July when the PWA championship event was held at the Playa Las Cucharas in Costa Teguise. In 2010, there will be more professional surfing in the Canary Islands when the ASP Junior Surf Tour comes to Realejos in Tenerife during September.

For those new to surfing, who are not sure where to start, then the easier version of wave boarding or “boogie” boarding is the perfect option, even for young children and Lanzarote’s beaches are the perfect place to. With some cheap equipment and a little instruction, complete beginners can be out in the waves having fun within a few minutes. You just need a board and some optional flippers and you’ll be away. Unlike the UK, you won’t even need a wetsuit during the summer months. Its probably best to start with a session or two at one of the many surf schools, if only to learn about beach etiquette (how to avoid upsetting everyone else out there) and to understand the safety aspects of rip tides and danger areas. Apart from than that it’s a great surf sport for young and old.

There’s no doubt about it. Surfing is one of the most exciting and exhilarating sports on the planet. Any time you’re moving in unison with one of nature’s forces, there’s going to be something thrilling about it. One of the extra bonuses about surfing is that you will also join a family-like setting. There’s a special kind of bond between surfers that doesn’t exist in other sports. While all of this might sound great, there are some things you need to know prior to heading out to catch a few breaks. They won’t only make your time more enjoyable, but these simple tips might also save your life. The first thing you need to do prior to surfing is assess your swimming ability. For instance, are you a casual swimmer that has only swam in pools and lakes? Or are you someone who has been swimming in the ocean often and is just now taking an interest in surfing? If it’s the latter, then you probably have a decent understanding of the strength of the ocean, as well as currents and riptides. If it’s the former, then you should seriously consider getting used to swimming in the ocean prior to surfing. If you think you’re ready to begin surfing, make sure your board has a safety leash. This can help in many ways. One of those ways is in case you get stuck in a current and need to swim along the shore to get out of it. Having your board will help avoid fatigue. If you hit a rock or reef below the surface and go unconscious, having the board attached to your body will also help others spot you. This is also a good reason not to swim alone. Having a partner will always increase your odds of survival if something goes wrong. Watch out for the slow killer, which is the sun. Always wear sun block as well as a full body wetsuit if possible. If you’re like most surfers, you’re going to be out there for hours, not minutes. It’s important to be protected. For more tips and technique advice on surfing, check out your local surfing magazine. If there is no local surfing magazine, you can always find one online.

Find More Surfing Articles