When I first started as an intern at LGS I had never surfed in my life. I was a complete beginner, but very excited to start my journey!

I took a couple of lessons to make sure I had the right technique and learned more about the ocean. This part is really important. Getting up on a board is one thing, reading the waves, learning about currents, being in the right spot is another thing. This is the part that has been taking me the longest to learn, because the conditions are always changing. If you’re thinking about learning how to surf I recommend taking some lessons as this is really important to not get in trouble in the water, go to the best spot on the beach and surf the best waves.

Practise, practise, practise. That’s what all the coaches at LGS kept telling me, so that’s what I did. I tried to go out for a paddle at least 3 times a week. After the first two months I was able to paddle into my own waves instead of standing next to my board and jumping on when the waves were approaching.

It was important to start small and build my way up to some bigger waves. After getting caught in the wrong spot multiple times and experiencing a nosedive once in a while I can say I am much more confident than I was at the beginning of my surfing experience. After 4 months of surfing I learned how to get up, I am starting to turn, I am catching my own waves without a push. I can confidently go out on my own every time.

If you are a beginner my one piece of advice is: Do not give up! There will be days when you feel like quitting. (I definitely had them!) It’s important to not give up, because the reward of catching a wave all the way to shore is bigger than anything else and will leave you stoked all day!

Blog written by Julie Van Eccelpoel (2019 Intern)