The Beginner Mistakes Keeping You Off the Face – And How to Fix Them
For most new surfers, there’s one moment that changes everything: trimming across the face of a wave, in sync with its power and speed. It’s addicting – and it’s the reason people rearrange holidays for a decent forecast.
But most beginners never get there. Why? Four key mistakes hold them back. Here's how to fix them.
1. You’re Looking Down Instead of Down the Line
Staring at your feet while popping up? You’re cutting off your body’s natural balance and reaction system. Just like you don’t look at your pedals when biking, you shouldn’t fixate on your board.
Instead:
– Look where you want to go
– Keep your head up during the takeoff
– Let your body follow your eyes
2. Your Pop-Up Still Isn’t Automatic
A shaky pop-up kills momentum. If you’re stuck on your knees or landing too far back, you won’t make it down the line.
Fix it with:
– Daily pop-up drills
– Core strength training
– 30-day pop-up challenges (even just 10 minutes a day)
3. You’re Taking Off Straight – Not at an Angle
If you aim straight to the beach, you force yourself into a bottom turn before you even have speed.
Instead:
– Angle your board before takeoff
– Point your nose where you want to go
– Make the first few seconds of the wave easier
4. You’re Dropping Too Low
Going straight to the flats makes it harder to stay with the wave. Instead, learn to hug the face – stay high and stay fast.
How?
– Look directly at the face of the wave
– Lean into the wave on your inside rail
– Drag your hand to stay in the pocket
TRAX Helps You Know When It’s Finally Working
TRAX captures the moment you start surfing down the line – by tracking your speed, line, and body position through each turn. If you’re stuck dropping too low, you’ll see it. If you’re improving, you’ll see that too.
Sign up now for early access.
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