How to Catch Your First Wave

Catching your first wave is about timing more than strength. Here's how it usually goes in a lesson.

1. Start in the Whitewater

Beginners start in waist-deep water with broken waves. The foam gives a steady push and is far more forgiving than an unbroken wave.

2. Point the Board at the Beach

Stand beside your board, facing the waves, and wait for a line of whitewater. Turn the nose toward the shore before it arrives.

3. Get On and Paddle

Lie down in position (how to paddle) and paddle a few strokes as the foam approaches, so you're already moving.

4. Feel the Push, Then Pop Up

When you feel the board accelerate, take one or two more strokes, then pop up. Popping up before the board is moving is the most common beginner mistake.

5. Ride Straight and Step Off

Ride toward the beach, stay low and look ahead. When the ride ends or the water gets shallow, step off to the side, never head-first.

Choosing Waves

Not every line of whitewater is a good one. Consistent, steady foam is better than messy, choppy water. In a lesson your instructor calls the waves for you until you learn to read them yourself.

Moving to Green Waves

Once you're standing comfortably in whitewater, the next step is unbroken ("green") waves, which requires paddling out past the break and choosing your position. That's where intermediate surfing begins.

Ready to put this into practice? Book a surf lesson in Jaco — beginner lessons, private lessons ($140) or group lessons ($75), all taught by female surf instructors.