🏄 5 Things Every Beginner Surfer Does (and How to Fix Them)

Posted by Tara

Straight Talk from the Ohana Surf Instructors

If you’ve ever wiped out, nose-dived, or paddled in circles—we see you. Learning to surf is a journey (and a hilarious one at times), but we’ve all been there. At Ohana Surf Shop, we teach beginners every day, and certain rookie moves pop up over and over.

Here are 5 things every beginner surfer does—and how to fix them so you can level up faster and have more fun in the water.

🤿 1. Paddling Like a Pancake

The rookie move: Laying too far back or too flat on the board while paddling, which slows you down and creates extra drag.

How to fix it:

Lay with your chest lifted and your toes just off the tail.
Keep your head up and arch slightly
Use long, deep strokes, not splashing.

🔥 Coach Tip: Pretend there’s a tennis ball under your chin—it helps keep your form solid.

🏄‍♀️ 2. Standing Up Too Soon

The rookie move: Popping up before the wave actually picks you up, which leads to lost balance or a nosedive.

How to fix it:

Feel the wave lift the back of your board before you pop up.
Let the board glide for a second—then go!
Use a smooth, one-motion pop-up (not your knees!).

🔥 Coach Tip: Practice your pop-up on the sand 10 times before hitting the water.

🌊 3. Waving the Arms While Riding

The rookie move: Standing up and flailing arms like you're balancing on a tightrope.

How to fix it:

Bend your knees, not your waist.
Keep arms low and steady.
Look forward, not at your feet.

🔥 Coach Tip: Your board goes where your eyes go—so look toward the beach!

🐢 4. Not Catching Enough Waves

The rookie move: Waiting too long or hesitating, which means you miss waves and waste energy.

How to fix it:

Commit! Start paddling earlier than you think you need to.
Position just outside the breaking wave (ask an instructor to show you).
Practice timing—wave selection is a skill you’ll develop with time.

🔥 Coach Tip: Catching more waves = learning faster. Don’t wait for the “perfect one.”

💬 5. Forgetting to Ask for Help

The rookie move: Trying to figure it all out solo and getting frustrated.

How to fix it:

Take a beginner lesson—it’ll fast-track your skills and safety knowledge.
Ask other surfers (especially locals) for tips—most are stoked to help.
Visit Ohana for gear advice and wave conditions—we’re here to help you succeed.

🔥 Coach Tip: Every expert surfer started as a beginner. Be kind to yourself!

🌺 Start Strong with Ohana Surf Shop

Whether you're renting your first board or booking your first lesson, we’re here to make surfing fun, safe, and stoke-filled from day one.

📍 Come visit us at Ohana Surf Shop in Stuart, FL for:
✅ Beginner board rentals
✅ Surf lessons with local instructors
✅ Rash guards, reef-safe sunscreen & more

Let’s turn those beginner slip-ups into progress—and plenty of laughs along the way.