Surfing itself is incredibly easy to get into, so when you go on a surf holiday, you often don’t need to bring much more than swimwear and beach gear. However, we’ve put together this list of 10 things you can/should remember when going on a surf holiday.
Even though it’s normal not to wear clothes under a wetsuit, it’s still a good idea to bring some beachwear for when you’re not in the wetsuit. Also, remember sunscreen, sunglasses, a beach towel, and ideally a hat.
Since most surf camps head out to find the day’s waves, you’ll miss out on a whole day if you arrive late. If you want to join, make sure to be ready on time.
A surf holiday is almost always a social experience. Be prepared to meet a lot of people and be open to others. This way, you’ll have a much better holiday. One of the best things (in our opinion) is the community you quickly become a part of. This doesn’t mean you need to be surrounded by people all the time.
One of the places surfers often get sunburned is on the tops of their feet. This is especially true if you wear a wetsuit with bare feet. Remember to apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet.
If you’re a beginner, you’ll likely spend most of the first week practicing The Pop Up. This is the move where you go from lying on the board to standing. Mastering The Pop Up opens up a whole new world of surfing, so it’s a good idea to pay attention when your instructor explains it and practice until you’ve got it. If you’re unsure about it, ask again.
This relates to The Pop Up. If you’re wearing a wetsuit that’s too small, you’ll lose a lot of flexibility. This makes it much harder to stand up while balancing. If you’re unsure about which size you need, ask. It’s important.
Surfing is hard, and it’s normal for it to take 1-2 weeks before you really get the hang of standing on the board. Don’t let it get to you if you’re not surfing like a professional after the first few days. Surfing is largely “learning by doing,” and we promise that it’s worth the effort on the day you catch your first big wave. You’ll never forget it!
If you’re on a surf holiday to learn to surf, remember that the surf instructors are there to help you. You should feel free to ask them for advice. No question is too silly, and it would be a shame if you didn’t ask something that could have been the key to making everything click for you. So don’t hold back.
If you overestimate your skills and take on challenges that are too big, it could actually hold you back. For example, check out this page: http://www.iambands.com/, where you can use colors to quickly communicate your surf level to a surf center.
All instructors are trained lifeguards. If they say it’s not safe to go into the water, it’s best to listen to them.
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