If you're wondering how to start surfing, you're not alone - more and more people want to give it a go and catch their first wave.
In many parts of the world, surfing is as popular as football or tennis. Riding waves on a board goes back thousands of years, and in places like Hawaii or Australia it's written deep into the DNA of local communities. Things look a little different in the middle of Europe. Here, surfing is still something pretty new. But in recent years more and more people want to try the sport that so many have completely lost their heads over!
As a surfer with years of experience and a coach to a lot of beginners, I'd like to show you how to start surfing without the stress. You might be closer to standing up on your first wave than you think!
Where can you try surfing for the first time?
The most important thing you need to surf is water, and lots of it! Which brings us to our first question. The pool down the road, a lake like Hańcza, the Baltic Sea or maybe... the Atlantic? Each option has something going for it. But the easiest place to catch your first wave is somewhere waves show up more often than not.
If you can get to the ocean - Portugal or Tenerife, for example - it will make learning to surf much easier and much faster. Consistent swell means you can train and progress every single day.
If an ocean trip isn't on the cards, don't worry. You can surf in Poland too, and the Baltic can surprise you with some pretty decent conditions.
Surfing in Poland - the Baltic Sea
You can surf the Baltic pretty much all year round. Autumn and winter belong to the hardcore crew who don't mind cold water, wind or snow on the beach. That's exactly when Polish surfers often hunt for the best waves.
But if you're just getting started and want to find out whether surfing is for you, the best time is the season from May to September. In summer the Polish coast is warmer, the water is less of a shock, and there are plenty of places where you can rent surf gear and take your first surf lesson.
Waves don't roll in on the Baltic every day, but there are more good learning days than you might expect. At the start you don't need big waves at all - often a small ripple on the water is enough to stand up on the board and feel your first ride.
So even a few days on the Polish coast can be a great chance to try surfing and catch your first wave.
Surfing in the ocean
Surfing in Poland has a vibe all of its own, but if you want to learn faster, the ocean is the place to go. In many European spots there are waves almost every day, so you get to spend far more time in the water.
Popular places to learn to surf in Europe include Peniche in Portugal, Brittany in France and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. With so many different surf spots, you can find waves that suit every level.
That means a few days of intensive surfing can bring some seriously big progress.
Choosing the right place has a huge impact on your first surfing experience. A well-chosen spot makes your first sessions fun and motivating instead of frustrating.
What do you need to start surfing?
Once you've picked a place for your first date with the waves, there's one more important thing to sort out - surf gear.
Compared with other water sports like windsurfing or kitesurfing, surfing is pretty simple when it comes to equipment. In practice you only need two things: the right thing to wear and a surfboard.
Wetsuit or swimsuit
What you wear in the water depends mostly on the temperature. In the tropics a swimsuit or boardshorts is often all you need. In most European destinations, though, like Portugal or Spain, you'll need a wetsuit to keep you warm and let you stay in the water longer.
If you're just starting out, there's no need to buy your own wetsuit straight away. For your first lessons you can easily rent one from the surf school. Just bring your own swimsuit to wear underneath.
If you catch the bug, a wetsuit will definitely be one of the first things on your shopping list.
A surfboard for beginners
When it comes to the board, there's one simple rule at the start: the bigger the board, the easier the beginning. A big, stable board makes it easier to catch a wave and get to your feet, which makes your first steps in surfing far more enjoyable.
Most beginners ride softboards - soft-top learner boards. They're stable, safe and perfect for learning.
In every popular surf destination you'll find rental shops where instructors will help you pick the right board and wetsuit for your first sessions.
How to start surfing - on your own or with an instructor?
Once you know where you're going and what gear you need, the next question pops up: should you teach yourself, or take lessons?
In theory you can just walk into the water with a board and figure it out. In practice, learning to surf with no guidance is really hard. Surfing always looks much easier from the beach than it actually is.
First attempts on your own often end in frustration - it's hard to catch a wave, hard to stand up, and every failed try can knock your motivation fast.
Your first hours in the water look completely different when someone shows you the basics and gives you the key tips. With solid foundations you'll become independent in the water much faster - and that's when the real fun begins.
If you have more time, it's also worth thinking about an organised surf trip with LASTOUT. A trip like that is one of the best ways to find out in practice how to start surfing and make solid progress in a short time. A few days of regular training with the same coaches helps you understand waves better, improve your technique and build confidence in the water.
Feel like it's for you? Try surfing with LASTOUT
Surfing isn't just a sport for long-haired surfers from California. It's something pretty much anyone can try. You don't have to start your adventure with a trip to Hawaii - even the Polish seaside can give you your first wave.
How to start surfing - a quick checklist
Pick a place to learn - ideally somewhere waves show up regularly (the ocean or the Baltic).
Sort out your gear - a big beginner surfboard and a wetsuit or swimsuit.
Consider a first surf lesson - an instructor will help you nail the basics faster.
Be patient - your first attempts may be tough, but every session gets easier.
Spend time in the water - the best way to learn to surf is simply to surf regularly.
If you've ever wondered what it feels like to stand up on a board and ride a wave, don't wait. Give it a go! Who knows - soon you might become one of those "crazy people" who chase one wave after another.
Written by: Hubert Stevnert LASTOUT Team
Edited by Krzysztof Gromnicki
