6 tips to progress in your surfing

"I started surfing almost 2 years ago and let me tell you, surfing is a journey that never ends. Progress takes time, passion, patience, and a whole lot of resilience. Every session, waves, dings on my board, wipeouts, people, surf trips, taught me something and I’m so grateful."

Here are six surf tips that have helped me progress from a beginner surfer to an intermediate level :

#1 Observe other surfers & let yourself be inspired

I remember lying in bed at night, binge-watching YouTube videos, Josie Prendergast, Nique Miller, Kelis Kaleopaa. I’d watch their moves, analyze their style, and pictured myself doing the same with flow and grace. Visualization is HUGE in surfing. 

And if you’re lucky enough to be in a surf spot (shoutout to Lombok 💙), spend time watching people in the water. I used to watch Anaïs surf before I even knew her, and surfing around her was always inspiring. She’s a total badaaaasss and I love her mindset. She’d sometimes drop little gems of wisdom like “You didn’t want that wave, I could see it” and of course I wouldn’t catch it, but would paddle harder on the next one !

Inspiration is everywhere!

#2 Be kind to yourself. Always.

Surfing is a lifelong journey, not a race! It takes practice, commitment, physical and mental strength. Like the tides, there will be highs and lows, days when everything clicks, and others when nothing seems to work. 

Speak kindly to yourself. POSITIVE self-talk above all!! Don’t blame yourself for missing a wave or falling. Remember that falling is part of the process. 

Give yourself patience. You’ve got this.

#3 Practice on land

Your body remembers everything. Muscle memory is key to improving your technique, and you don’t need to be in the water to train.

Try this: 

• Lay a line on the floor or use a bamboo stick (if you’re in Indo 😉) 
• Practice your cross-steps, or any move you want to perfect.

The more you repeat these motions, the more natural they’ll feel in the ocean.

#4 Surf in every condition

Rainy, windy, tiny waves, messy breaks: YES, get in the water anyway and as much as possible. Nothing will improve your surfing skills more than SURF.

Don’t wait for the perfect waves to get better. You’re always learning something by going in!

#5 Find a supportive community 

This one is close to my heart. Having someone cheering you on, encouraging you to try new things, and supporting you through mental blocks can make all the difference. If you are starting your surfing journey, find a surf coach that will guide you and help you feel safe, confident in the line up. This has been a game-changer in my own progression and my coach in Lombok is @surfwithdamar from the Facing Blank Pages team! 

I know surfing alone can sometimes feel intimidating, so find someone you trust and feel safe with in the water.

#6 Don’t forget to enjoy 

At the end of the day, surfing is meant to bring you JOY. Let go of expectations. Remember why you started. Smile. Laugh at yourself when you fall. Enjoy the the freedom of being in the ocean. The ocean has its way of teaching you what you need, so let it. The Ocean loves you.

Don’t forget, your progression in surfing is your own. There’s no comparison to make, no timeline to follow.

If you’re planning a surf trip to Bali or Lombok, join our next longboard retreats so you can get all the support you need to develop the best surfing skills faster and a badass confidence | SURF mindset.

Now, take the tips you need, grab your board and have FUN!

See you in the water,

Carla ✿