This past year has seen surfing explode in popularity. Restrictions on organized gatherings and the newfound trend of ‘working from home’ formed a perfect storm for surf shops around Australia. Sales spiked harder than daily case numbers. All of a sudden, every man, woman and child had a brand new surfboard under their arm. The surf stoke seemed to be spreading much faster than any microscopic virus. Hordes of new surfers flocked to their nearest beaches with gigantic smiles and pure intentions.
With all of the new surfers in the water, we thought it was a perfect time to share a few surf etiquette tips for new surfers.
1. KNOW YOUR LIMITS As Kenny Rogers put it, ‘know when to hold them, know when to fold them.’ Removing yourself from your comfort zone and pushing the limits is a major part of surfing. But as a beginner surfer you have to know when it’s best to just watch from the beach. Huge 6-8ft barrels can be an incredible site, but probably best viewed from the safety of dry land.
2. DON’T DROP IN ‘Dropping in’ is the cardinal sin in the surfing world. As a beginner surfer you need to be extremely aware of anyone around you. If you see someone else already on the wave that you want, then too bad…it’s theirs. You can get the next one. That’s the beauty of surfing, there’s always another wave on the way.
3. KNOW WHERE TO PADDLE BACK OUT Knowing where to enter the water and paddle to the break can be the difference between catching a tone of waves, or being used repeatedly as a human speed bump. Learn how to read a spot. Identify rips and use them to access the waves (key skills we teach in our surf lessons). This should keep you out of the way of other surfers already on waves.
Also remember to respect the local rippers, watch and learn and with a bit of hard work, time and patience you’ll have beginner surfers looking up to you in no time!
These are just a few tips to remember… there are lots of things to learn when you are just starting out… lucky we are surfing experts and can help you along your journey. Book a lesson today!
2020 has been a challenging year, but that has not stopped us from our passions and commitments, including raising money for AMCS.
Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is the voice for Australia’s ocean wildlife. They are an independent charity who have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
At Lets Go Surfing, we live, work and play in the ocean, therefore we want to do everything in our power to preserve it.
“As surfers, our life revolves around the ocean. We love the water and our amazing beaches, so it is extremely important that we respect and cherish our environment. We are so lucky to have such caring and passionate environmental warriors on our team who lead us on our ‘leave only footprints’ mission” – Craig “Wacca” Wachholz
LGS and AMCS have been in partnership since 2018, last year we donated $5000, this year however, things looked a little different. Due to the Covid 19 lockdowns and beach closures, our doors were closed from March until the end of May. Then due to border closures we have been operating on a much smaller scale. With all that and the help of our wonderful customers we have still raised a total of $3500!
“The ocean is precious to us and we are lucky to have such an amazing group of caring people learning to surf with our team and supporting this fantastic organization! We’re stoked!” – Brenda Miley LGS Founder and Director
Thank you so much to everyone who donated, it really means a lot.. for the whales, dolphins, fish, coral, turtles, sharks and everything else that lives and depends on our oceans!
”How a young adrenaline junkie with far too much energy found his way from Holland to Sydney working at one of the busiest and most successful surf schools in Australia”
Our awesome Senior instructor Fred had the opportunity to sit down with Lars to chat about surfing, family, charging big waves and everything in between. However, the big question was, how did a young Lars Zeekaf from Holland find himself working smack bang in the centre of Australia’s leading surf schools?
“I was a climbing instructor, a Kayak instructor and worked as a White-Water Rafting guide in South America”
Anyone who has had the opportunity to either work with Lars or be taught by him can agree on two things, the first being his expertise within the art of surf coaching are second to none, and the second being he is constantly obtaining an energy level most of us could only dream of.
Lars’ story begins in the heart of the extreme sports industry, over his time he has had the opportunity to place himself in situations most of us live to avoid. From teaching climbing to jumping into white water rapids to saving people who have fallen overboard, Lars could only be said to be comfortable where others are most definitely not. However, when Lars first started surfing at the age of 18 (quite old in the surf community) “surfing completely took over”. After completing just a week at a European surf camp, Lars quickly applied for a job the next summer and spent a month immersing himself in surf culture, applying his customer service skills whilst learning the trade of surf coaching. Although the surf addiction was alive and well in Lars, how did he make his way to Sydney?
“When I first arrived, I just worked in a restaurant to make some money to start off, literally across the road from Lets Go Surfing at Maroubra.”
Anyone who has relocated countries knows very well the difficulties and challenges that stand in the way of starting a new life. From Visas, finding work and finding a place to live I don’t need to go into detail regarding the stresses Lars and his partner went through to get here. However, Lars’ partner being a nurse and himself well qualified in both customer service and tourism, Sydney seemed to be the unicorn they had been looking for to relocate. Of course, Lars needed sponsorship to stay in Australia, and this almost happened with a restaurant overlooking Lets Go Surfing Maroubra, however, the allure of surfing coaching was far too much for Lars.
After seeing the surf school operating, he quickly applied and after “numerous long chats” Lets Go Surfing agreed to sponsor Lars. Now being constantly surrounded by surfing and surf culture Lars was quickly drawn to yet another extreme Hobby.
“We took the gamble and went out with a handful of others, and it went pear shaped within 30 minutes of us being in the water.”
Kayaking, Climbing and white-water rafting, it’s not surprising Lars wanted to seek out the more thrilling side of surfing “anything to get that Heart rate up”. His natural gravitation towards the more dangerous side of surfing has not been one of smooth sailing. A story Lars hesitates to bring up due to its mental effect, simply being the day, everything went wrong. During one of the larger swells to hit Sydney, Lars and his crew of nutcases began to weigh up their chances of getting a few waves at Wedding Cake Island. The wind was expected to reach 70-80kmh on shore, things as you can imagine went downhill quickly.
“I had the biggest free fall down the wave I’ve ever experienced it snapped my leg rope and that board has never been seen again.”
Lars experienced a hold down whereby he was dragged underwater the longest he ever experienced, only to find his board missing, no breath in his lungs and one option, to begin the long swim into Coogee from wedding cake (1km).
“Still haunting me now for three years” although the long weighing trauma of an ugly wipe out stays with every surf. Lars has continued to immerse himself in surf coaching, big wave surfing and waterman sports such as diving and spearfishing. This will be Lars’s 10th summer at Let’s Go Surfing. A young madman from Holland has changed Let’s Go Surfing for the better and become a cheeky, recognizable and trust-worthy face anywhere in Sydney where there is water.
Work smarter, not harder The strongest paddlers don’t necessarily catch the most waves! The more you surf, the better you’ll get at positioning yourself in the line up and learning to read the waves. Also, sometimes it helps if you don’t just follow the other surfers in the water. Try searching for an empty sandbank and getting some waves to yourself, and if that doesn’t work don’t be afraid to try a different bank!
Back yourself. When an opportunity arises, grasp at it When the wave you’ve been itching for pops up on the horizon, commit! Commit! Commit! Any hesitation will likely see you miss the wave or be sent straight over the falls for a wipeout.
Practice makes perfect The best way to progress your surfing skills is to surf as much as possible. The more you practice the more natural the movements become and the more comfortable you will feel. I always tell beginner surfers that progression at the beginning of your surfing journey is quite slow. But after a while you’ll start to see exponential improvements and every time you set foot in the ocean there’s always something you can learn.
Quality over quantity You can paddle out and catch 100 waves in a session, but if you are wiping out on all of them it won’t be a very memorable day. Learn to pick the right waves, this might involve the tutelage of a friend or surf instructor to explain the difference between a good wave and a not so good wave. Every surfer you ask will have at least a handful of individual waves imprinted into their memory – and it’s these waves that keep us coming back for more!
Be observant and share the stoke! It really pays off to be observant in the surf. Spatial awareness is important for safety reasons, but there’s also a lot to learn simply by watching other surfers. Don’t be shy, if you see someone catch a nice ride let them know. If you’re bringing a positive vibe to the lineup people will open up to you, maybe even share some tips or call you into waves they otherwise would have taken for themselves. Surfing alone can often be intimidating, but with a few big smiles, a couple of loud “Yewwwws” and some shakas you’ll never be short of surf buddies.
So maybe you’ve moved inland, injured yourself or there’s a long flat spell at your local beach. Or maybe a global pandemic has forced the closure of your favorite surf spot?! Here’s a few tips to make sure you don’t lose all that hard earned surf progress.
1. Paddle and swim Get outside and into the ocean (even if it’s flat!). The more time you spend around the ocean the more you’ll be able to read waves. Paddle technique is key when you’re surfing, if you can’t paddle you can’t catch waves so work on your technique when the surf is flat. Take your board down to the beach and paddle laps until your arms turn to spaghetti. Watch other surfers (particularly the good surfers/locals) and take notes!
2. Practice you pop up at home Use some chalk to draw a surfboard on the ground (your neighbors might think you’ve lost your mind) or practice on your floorboards or carpet (having a line on the floor such as tiles or a floorboard helps). This will keep you fit as a fiddle and help build your muscle memory. The next time you surf it will feel as natural as breathing and won’t require as much thought.
3. Yoga/ regular stretching routine Flexibility is a huge aspect of surfing. A lot of professional surfers are also dedicated yogis, so there’s something to be learnt here. Consider joining a weekly yoga class or even practicing at home.
4. Skateboarding or balance boards Be careful though, nine times out of ten a wipeout on concrete hurts a lot more than a wipeout in the sea. You’ll find there is a large crossover in the techniques used by surfers and skateboarders (particularly maneuvering the board). Just make sure you’re wearing a helmet!
5. Immerse yourself in the culture Monkey see monkey do right? The more surfing you watch, the more small nuances in technique and style you’ll pick up! There’s no shortage of surf media to absorb. From old Bruce Brown movies such as the Endless Summer to YouTube tutorials and contest footage.
Keen to become a surfer? We have lots of lessons to choose from for beginners all the way to intermediates. Check it out.
The team at Lets Go Surfing prioritize the health and safety of all our customers at all times and especially during this pandemic so please bear with us as things will operate a little differently to what they normally do. We really appreciate your patience and understanding, for more information about this please follow this link.
Ouronline shop is open 24 hours a day for all of your board and wetsuit needs. If you live locally, we offer free contactless delivery.
If you have any questions just contact us and our surf team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Most people that spend tons of time at the beach agree that surfing is one of the most exciting activities around. Of course, beyond the excitement of becoming one with the great ocean is the fact that there are many different benefits of surfing from a mental, physical, and spiritual standpoint.
Surfing is not only a wonderful form of exercise, but it also helps our minds in ways we couldn’t imagine. We want to take you through some of the top benefits of surfing for adults so that you can have a better time when you’re out in the water.
1. Surfing Aids Mental Health
Surfing is one of the best forms of exercise to combat mental afflictions, including PTSD, depression, autism, etc. Of course, you should never use it as an alternative for therapy or medication, though it’s not a bad way to make you feel better. Just check out this article about Gary Katz, a social worker form New York who says that surfing is one of the best forms of therapy around. Due to the fact that it is both a highly sensory and physical experience, you allow your body to disconnect.
Essentially, surfing allows you a way to escape your mental troubles for a bit so you can improve your overall mood.
2. Surfing Can Help Relieve Stress
Every modern person deals with stress in some form. Due to the fact that we are constantly connected to the Internet and our phones, we forget what it is like to let go every once in a while.
Surfing is nostalgic in many ways, allowing us to have fun and enjoy ourselves without having to feel connected to anything but the waves. We highly recommend that every adult goes for a thirty-minute surf session before work. You’ll no doubt feel a million times better once you begin your day.
3. Surfing Can Strengthen Your Body
Surfing is a wonderful form of physical exercise. In particular, surfing is great for the back. We spend a lot of our day hunched over at a computer. Most people don’t even realize how bad their posture is until someone points it out. Unfortunately, not many people do anything to exercise their backs and spines so that they retain strength over the years.
Surfing is one of the best forms of back exercise around. Seriously, paddle around in the water for a good thirty minutes and you’ll see what we mean. Plus, you can get a few extra forms of strength training in by popping up on your board and carrying your gear to and from the car.
Surfing Can Strengthen Your Body
4. Surfing Can Combat Cardiovascular Problems
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. There are about a hundred ways to combat cardiovascular problems, some of the top ways being a good diet, though it is also important that you have some form of cardio in your workout routine. Why not make that form of cardio something exciting like surfing?
There are so many cardio exercises involved in surfing, including paddling, core balance, swimming, and more. From the minute you paddle out, you are constantly pushing through water and waves, which just so happen to be some of the strongest natural entities around.
If you are looking for a new form of cardio to add to your routine, or you are struggling with cardiovascular problems and are looking to combat them, we recommend picking up surfing.
5. Surfing Improves Flexibility
Surfing is one of the best forms of exercise to improve your overall flexibility. It is important to have good flexibility for a number of different reasons. Having the ability to move your muscles throughout their full range helps you to get more oxygen and blood to them. This allows your muscles to perform much better, as well as helps them to relax when the day is winding down to an end.
Solid flexibility also helps to reduce the risk of injury when you are performing other activities, whether those activities are other kinds of sports or daily work.
6. Surfing Can Help You Discover Your Spirituality
We’re not here to preach to you and we don’t believe that you need to believe in God or follow a specific religion to believe in spirituality. To us, spirituality is a sense of openness, calmness, self-reflection, realization, and perspective. It helps us to connect with the world around us on a more primal basis.
All of these things can be found when surfing. You are out in the expanse that we call the ocean, appreciating one of the most beautiful things that Mother Nature has to offer. In this way, we disconnect with the struggles that modern society provides us with. Plus, when you’re done with a surfing session, you can sit on the beach and meditate for a while.
Go Surfing
Beyond the benefits that we listed here, there are so many more benefits to surfing out there. Surfing presents us with challenges that we must learn to overcome, a sentiment that we can easily apply to our regular lives. It is a fun activity that can bring family and friends together to enjoy things outside of simply watching television or going out to eat. For creators, surfing can be inspiring.
If you are just getting started, don’t fret! It is easy these days to begin surfing with the help of a surf lesson with LGS, shops that carry affordable gear and buyer guides to help you select the right surfboard brands and accessories as a beginner.
Enjoy the challenge and the journey of surfing and we promise that you will see the benefits begin to unfold in your life.
Changes lives, one wave at a time has been our motto form our very first humble beginning back in 1995. Our passion, love for surfing and the ocean are equal to our commitment to helping our community and the environment. Our founder Brenda Miley has recently spoken to Audrey Puzzle Daybook, smart read for the modern Australian and New Zealand woman about the importance of giving back to the community.
Read full story about LGS beginnings and community support here.
