Hello and thank you for choosing to surf with UP2U Surf School Bali.
As part of our programme, we encourage our guests to do some research. Below is our Lesson 1 (L1) programme - these topics will be covered when you do your first lesson.
Please ask our surf coaches about the topics covered.
Safety is the most important thing at UP2U Surf School Bali.
Surfing can be demanding and takes place in an ever-changing and often unpredictable environment. With the proper knowledge and experience, surfing can be very safe
There are several factors that should be taken into account when surfing. The following are some examples:
CLICK HERE and watch what hazards can be found in the ocean.
If you are a beginner you should always look for a board which is wide, thick and at least three feet (90 centimeters) taller than you.
Beginner surfers should always get a surfboard with extra flotation and stability to paddle for the wave (2.0lbs/L (0.9kg/L) weight to volume ratio). These super stable surfboards are easier to paddle, will get in the waves faster, and are more forgiving when the pop-up moment arrives and you don’t find the exact balance immediately.
NOSE - Front of the surfboard
DECK - Where you stand
TAIL - The back of the surfboard and helps with speed and maneuvering the board
FINS - Helps with stability and steering
FINS - Surfboard fin's at mounted at the tail of a surfboard or similar board to improve directional stability and control through foot-steering.
ROCKER - Helps stop’s nose diving.
ROCKER - The rocker is the bottom curve of the board from the nose to the tail. It is the curvature of the surfboard from a profile or side angle. The basic reason for this curve is to fit the surface area of the board to the curvature of a wave face.
LEASH or LEG ROPE - Stops you from losing your board, this attaches to the back leg which is closest to the tail of the surfboard.
CLICK HERE and watch how to attach a leg rope correctly.
Position yourself on the opposite side of your strong arm, for example if your right arm is the strongest position yourself on the left side of the surfboard.
Softly slide onto the surfboard and try to position yourself in the middle of the surfboard. Achieving this will allow your body to be centered in the middle of the surfboard so when you stand this will help keep the board balanced.
If you lay on the surfboard in the correct position the surfboard will feel stable. Achieving the correct laying positioning allows you to catch a wave more easily because when a wave comes up behind you it will lift the tail of the surfboard and push you forward, that’s when you attempt to stand trying to use the energy of the wave as it comes up through the surfboard.
If you lay on a surfboard and you are too close to the nose, you will find that the front of the board will sink and when a wave comes up from behind it will lift the tail and may force the surfboard to nose dive.
When you lay on your surfboard and you are too far back what will happen is the tail will sink and lift up the nose of the surfboard, this will stop you gaining the necessary speed that will allow you to catch a wave.
Having your body in the correct position will help you to stand-up in the correct position and achieve better balance.
Paddling technique is one of the most important skills in surfing. You spend most of your time paddling around during your session. Having the right technique will make your paddling more effective and less tiring.
Once you have got yourself lying at the correct position on your board, the next step is to arch your back up slightly so your weight is on the bottom of your rib cage. Your feet should be together and lifted out of the water so they do not drag.
Reach your arm fully forward towards the nose of the board, cup your hands with your fingers spread apart just a little, and bring your arm down the side of the surfboard and push the water past your hips.
If you make your strokes deep and even you will need fewer strokes to gain speed. Paddling erratically or unevenly can make the surfboard become unbalanced just keep the stroke equal and the wave will do most of the work for you
CLICK HERE and see how to paddle a surfboard correctly
Now that you’ve gotten the hang of riding the white water on your belly, it’s time to try standing up! All that popup practicing you’ve been doing on land is going to pay off. Surfing is not too hard once you’re on your feet, but getting to your feet and staying there is 90% of the battle.
First, catch a wall of white water like you’ve been doing. As soon as the surfboard starts to stabilize and glide in front of the white water, pop up to your feet! It sounds so simple, but unfortunately the act of standing up well is very elusive.
Some people will want to get to their knees first. That’s fine, but I would caution against making this a habit. You should be able to smoothly pop up from a prone to standing position. This takes time to get the hang of, and it is a different motion than getting to your knees. Why waste time making a habit of something that you are going to have to break eventually? Standing up is hard enough without the bad habits.
Surfboards are more stable at speed, like bicycles, so do not be afraid of standing up if the white water is pushing your surfboard fast. In fact, it is advisable to catch a nice, meaty wall of white water instead of a piddly little trickle.
Once you finally get to your feet, even for a few seconds, it will feel like you are riding on top of the world.
If you stand on a surfboard and are too close to the nose of the surfboard you will find that the front of the surfboard will sink and the surfboard may nose dive.
When you stand and if you are too far back what will happen is the tail will sink and lift the nose, and this will stop you gaining the necessary speed that will allow you to catch a wave.
When it’s time to get off the surfboard it’s best you step off the side off the board. Try avoiding diving forward just in case the water is shallow.
Remember as soon as you dismount the surfboard have a quick look and see if there are any waves coming, quickly grab your surfboard and use the correct safe board handling technique.
CLICK HERE and watch how you stand on a surfboard correctly
Soft top surf boards are big. The best way to carry them is one person at the nose of the board and another person at the tail of the surf board, just makes it easier to carry.
CLICK HERE Watch this video to see how you hold a surfboard correctly. When you first get into the water practice this for about five minutes in waist deep water, it will really help you have a better surf experience.
SAFETY: Be careful that you don’t position the surfboard between you and the wave, the impact of the wave may make the surfboard come up and hit you.
CLICK HERE and watch our video on how to enter the water safely with a surfboard and how to catch a wave.
If you look down at the surfboard when surfing your balance point will be on the nose. It’s best that you look up at the beach this will help you with your balance and assist you to surf better.
CLICK HERE and watch our video to show you that keeping your eyes focused forward really helps with your surfing.