Common Mistakes New Surfers Make (and How to Avoid Them) 

Common Mistakes New Surfers Make (and How to Avoid Them) 

So you’ve taken the plunge, paddled out, and caught your first wave—or maybe you’re just getting ready to. Either way, congrats! Learning to surf is an exciting journey. But like with any new sport, it comes with a learning curve.  

The good news? Many of the challenges new surfers face are totally normal—and avoidable with the right guidance. Here are some of the most common beginner surfing mistakes (and how to sidestep them) so you can spend more time having fun and progressing in the water.

1. Choosing the Wrong Surfboard
A lot of beginners make the mistake of picking a board that’s too small or advanced for their skill level—usually because it *looks cooler*. Smaller boards are less stable and much harder to paddle.

How to Avoid It:
Start with a soft-top longboard, ideally 8 to 9 feet long. These boards are more stable, easier to catch waves with, and more forgiving if you fall (which you will—and that’s okay!).

2. Skipping the Pop-Up Practice
Trying to pop up for the first time in the water without practicing on land is like trying to ride a bike with no training wheels on day one.

How to Avoid It:  
Practice your pop-up on land daily. Use a yoga mat or towel and run through 10–15 pop-ups each session. Building that muscle memory ahead of time makes a big difference once you’re out in the lineup.
 

3. Paddling Incorrectly
New surfers often paddle too slow, too shallow, or with poor form—making it hard to catch waves or get out to the lineup.

How to Avoid It 
Keep your chest slightly lifted off the board, paddle deep and strong with your arms alternating (not like a doggy paddle). Think “reach and pull” rather than short strokes.

4. Going Out in the Wrong Conditions
Big waves, strong currents, and crowded breaks can be dangerous and discouraging for beginners.

How to Avoid It: 
Check the surf forecast before heading out. Look for small, mellow waves (1–2 ft) and surf spots with a sandy bottom. If you're not sure, ask a local surf shop or instructor for advice.

5. Not Learning Surf Etiquette
Surfing has its own set of unwritten rules. Not knowing them can put you (and others) in harm’s way—and might get you some stink-eye in the lineup.

How to Avoid It: 
- Don’t drop in on someone else’s wave (the surfer closest to the peak has priority).  
- Wait your turn in the lineup.  
- Hang on to your board during wipeouts to avoid hitting others.  
Respect in the water goes a long way.

6. Standing Up Too Early (or Too Late)
Timing is everything when popping up. Beginners often try to stand up the second the wave touches them—or wait too long and miss the ride.

How to Avoid It:
Feel the wave pick you up, then pop up smoothly as the board starts gliding. Practice and feedback help a lot here, especially from an instructor who can watch your timing.

7. Not Committing to the Wave
Hesitation is one of the biggest wave-killers. If you’re unsure or pull back mid-paddle, you’ll likely miss the wave or wipe out.

How to Avoid It:
Paddle with confidence and commit! It’s normal to feel nervous at first, but the more you trust yourself, the more waves you’ll catch.

8. Trying to Surf Alone
Surfing solo as a beginner can be dangerous, frustrating, and slow down your learning.

How to Avoid It:
Surf with a buddy or take a lesson with a certified instructor. A good coach can spot what you're doing right (and wrong), help you improve faster, and keep you safe in the process.
 

9. Getting Discouraged Too Soon
Surfing is one of the most rewarding sports in the world—but it takes time. Many new surfers expect to be standing up and shredding right away, then feel defeated when it doesn’t happen immediately.

How to Avoid It:
Celebrate the small wins. Every session in the ocean teaches you something new. Progress isn’t always linear, but consistency pays off.
 

Conclusion: Mistakes Are Part of the Process  
The key thing to remember? Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re stepping stones. Every seasoned surfer has wiped out more times than they can count. What matters most is showing up, having fun, and learning with each session.

Want to accelerate your progress and avoid these beginner pitfalls?  
Book a lesson with a certified instructor on https://www.getsurfinglessons.com—and start surfing smarter, safer, and with way more stoke.