Catching a wave is a totally different branch of sport compared to your relaxt day out on a sup. Surfing is a challenge; but not one you cannot handle. We give you a few tips & tricks to get started.
1. Go to an easy SUP-spot with no one around you.
Before you decide to jump on to the real-deal: wavesupping, it’s important to know the rules of adequate sup. You want to catch waves and not other people, dogs or rocks.
They say:
‘There is no glory in practice, but without practice there is no glory’. Well…
There is definitely no glory if you hit your co-suppers or children in the face with your bamboo-wave sup. Search for an easy and quite spot to start, without to much hustle and bustle instead of a 'surf area'.
2. Always wear a SUP-leash!
Leashes prevent your board from becoming a torpedo; knocking someone else out.
3. Use strong and protective gear.
The sea can be quite cold. Wear a
Jobe Steamer - special flexible wetsuits for cold environments - to keep freedom of movement while your covered in thick neoprene.
4. Carbon, love
No pressure (just in the water), you can use any paddle you want. But we do recommend a
Carbon Paddle made out of 100% carbon. Strong and featherlight and just what you need to handle some of those aggressive waves.
5. Stand Up Paddle on flat water first.
First things first, which in your case is: paddling on flat water. Paddling isn’t hard to learn, but it’s superimportant to ‘get the feeling’ before jumping head-over-sea in the water.
6. Learn from others
Especially if they are more experienced than you are, others can teach you a lot. Especially mistakes, are good to take in first (and enjoyable to watch).
OK, clear. And now?
Now you know how to keep it safe and enjoyable, it’s time to catch your first wave.
- Get on on your SUP and paddle a little bit of the shore. You can either kneel on it, or lay down on it and paddle through the waves using your hands.
- Don’t get in position yet, wait for the wave!
- As the wave approaches, you paddle ‘in position’ just a moment before it has reached you...
Position: Turn your SUP (paddle on the right or left side, just what suits you) till its point to the beach. It’s best to get 4 or 5 good, straight strokes in.
- When the wave catches you, pop into a surf stance (wide stance sideways) with your weight over your front foot.
- Look down the line where you going and engage your rail.
- Use your paddle to initiate turns. The body is centered, keep looking where you going.
- Also: use the kicktail to initiate turns
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