Not just in Australia, but on a global level, Bondi Beach is one of the most famous beaches for surfing. As per a number of experienced surfers, it’s the perfect place to start learning how to surf. Along with the pristine water and golden sands, the overall vibe at this beach is very funky, and it also hosts a number of urban-theme-based shops, bars, restaurants, and other related markets. This adds to the overall brilliance of this place, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
Being one of the most demanding sports, it takes real effort, dedication, passion, and, most importantly, patience to get along with surfing. Many people take this sport as just an activity of getting up on a board. But that’s not all, as one needs to learn how to paddle for a wave, how to pop up, and how to go straight. Furthermore, the levels of winds vary from beach to beach.
At times, the waves might be normal, while at other times, one may come across some bigger waves. Therefore, an individual needs to learn every detail about surfing before heading out into the challenging waters of the beach. And at last, practice is something that has no alternative. No doubt, the scope for improvement is always there. You need to learn about some essentials about surfing that will help you avoid experiencing a nosedive. Below, we have curated a list of some of the most crucial surfing tips, especially for beginners, that will help them become real pros in a matter of days.
1. Carry the right gear
Not just for beginners, but for all, being in the right gear is very important when it comes to surfing. In general, the gear that you will need to head over to Bondi Beach when learning to surf includes a surfboard, fins, wax, a wetsuit, and a leash. Before choosing a desired surfboard for yourself, consider what sort of waves you are going to learn at. Being a beginner at surfing, you need to go with a surfboard that is longer than your height and carries a lot of width with it to make it easier for you to catch waves. It will offer the surfer a better amount of stability.
Opt for renting out all the equipment instead of buying them, as who knows when your mind gets changed in regards to surfing? Once you are confident enough that you’re hooked on this enchanting sport, you can invest in your own set of equipment.
2. Learn paddling
Paddling is one of the most essential skills to be learned in surfing, as it helps an individual catch various types of waves effectively. Not just for beginners but for experts as well, improving your paddling skills can boost your overall ability to surf. Start by lying down on the board and beginning to paddle with your arms in a freestyle manner.
Form a cupped shape out of your hands to push through as much water as possible as you continue your way ahead. For added power, you can engage your core muscles and try to breathe in a deep and rhythmic manner.
3. Know how to pop up
After you are done with paddling, the next skill worth learning is how to pop up. It’s a move that elevates the surfer from a lying position to a standing one on the board. Think of it as a quick push-up, but in a more controlled yet fluid manner. For beginners, try doing it while on land before trying it out in the water. Doing so will help you develop some arm strength and will give you muscle memory as well.
Begin by lying down on the surfboard and placing your hands on either side of the chest. As you bring your back foot forward, use your arms to help thrust yourself smoothly. Then, bring your front foot forward, followed by the back foot.Always remember that an efficient pop-up is a result of proper momentum and leverage, not just of your body strength.
4. Understand Wave Patterns
Before you actually catch a worthwhile wave, you need to first understand the exact movement and behaviour that the ocean or beach is showing. There’s no doubt that spending hours in the ocean is essential for learning to go through different waves effectively. However, gathering some basic knowledge about wave types will also prove useful for all surfers.
The common types of waves consist of A right, A left, A frame, A close-out, and more. Along with the different types of waves, one also needs to know about the different parts of a wave, i.e., white water, lip, curl, impact zone, peak, shoulder, tube, and more.
5. Start slow and progress steadily
There is no need to rush with your learning process, as you can easily start things off with small waves at first. Doing so will help you build confidence and improve your skills as well. For it, you can start with waves that are waist-high or smaller than that. This way, you will easily get to know exactly what it feels like to surf in the ocean.
Try catching as many small waves as possible and focusing on progressing in a steady manner. Moreover, you can concentrate on thorough learning and mastering the basics, creating a solid foundation to advance as you progress in your future adventures.
6. Take your time to get comfortable in the Water
You can’t expect yourself to succeed in any sport when you’re not comfortable enough with it. To get used to surfing, you need to spend some time in the water besides your surfing sessions as well. See what movements of yours yield what kind of result. You can opt to try out techniques like turtle rolling or duck diving to go through the waves while on your surfboard.
Furthermore, to many people, Bondi Beach might seem a bit calm from the shore, but actually it carries a very dynamic environment with it. If possible, call out a friend of yours who might be experienced in surfing to help you out build confidence for this thrilling sport. Have your focus on trying to get every possible piece of knowledge about the ocean water, its behaviour, and the rhythm of the waves as well.
7. Take lessons from the right place
Don’t expect yourself to become a pro in just a matter of days without taking instructions from a professional surfing instructor. Not only will that instructor help you improve your surfing skills, but he will also share his valuable insights in regards to different problems that might arise in your course of action.
The provided advice, insights, and feedback will help you get rid of any of the inappropriate surfing practices that you might have adopted unknowingly. Plus, before choosing an instructor for yourself, always look for reviews and suggestions from any of your friends that can help you select the right educator for yourself.
8. There’s no alternative to practise
It won’t be wrong to say that there’s no alternative to practise, as quoted in the famous proverb “practice makes a man perfect.” Doing various exercises relating to surfing will help you improve your levels of endurance and fitness. The different exercises for it include chin-ups, front squats, mobility drills, dumbbell drills, planking, running exercises, push-ups, etc.
So make out a proper schedule for your practice and try never to miss it to get into the water as often as possible. To make the whole thing more interesting and exciting, you can set a specific number of waves to catch or something like that. This way, your self-confidence will be boosted a lot as you see yourself achieving a set benchmark.
9. Learn about safety and etiquette
When you are just starting to learn how to surf, there’s so much to learn and take note of. At Bondi Beach, one should always swim and carry out their surfing activity between the red and yellow flags. Going beneath them is strictly prohibited, as doing so carries some serious risks. It’s advised that you always carry your activities on the beach when the red and yellow flags are flying, as otherwise it means that either the beach is unpatrolled or closed.
Also see what kind of current is there on the beach, as like other beaches, Bondi Beach has rip currents. Try wearing a wetsuit, as it will protect you from the risk of facing hypothermia when the water temperature decreases. Don’t eat anything for at least one hour before heading out for surfing, and never be under the influence of alcohol at all.
10. Persistency and patience is key
You can’t master a sport like surfing overnight. It’s going to take days of sheer and pure dedication and perseverance to get along with all the essentials of this captivating sport so that you can build off proper skills and knowledge on how to ride different kinds of waves in a confident manner. Don’t get discouraged if you wipe out while surfing, as it’s a part of the natural learning process.
Instead, have a long-term commitment in your mind in regards to learning and getting used to surfing. The more time you spend in the water, the more comfortable and confident you are going to become, which will ultimately pave the way for you to become a pro in the long run.
11. Don’t rush anything and enjoy the process
Concluding Thoughts
Learning how to surf, especially when it’s your first time doing so, might seem like a tiresome task, but actually it’s a worthwhile and rewarding experience. With its vibrant rural atmosphere and picture-postcard-worthy golden sand, Bondi Beach hosts some of the most amazing surf breaks. For beginners, there’s a number of surf schools and equipment available for hire purposes that will help you tick off this electrifying sport activity off your bucket list. These expert instructors will teach you everything, ranging from reading the waves to actually catching them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by identifying and reading the waves properly before you actually catch them. In the beginning, you can look for waves that roll in a very smooth manner rather than breaking unexpectedly. Try noticing the highest point of the wave and positioning yourself accordingly. When it comes to paddling, don’t aim yourself directly at the beach itself; rather, paddle at an angle that leans you towards the peak of the wave. Doing so will give you the required momentum for catching it. Furthermore, you can also go for strong starts using powerful strokes that will help you catch the wave in a proper manner. For beginners, it’s always good to use a longboard, as it offers them better buoyancy and stability in the long run.
Yes, being one of the most renowned beaches across the globe for surfing, Bondi Beach would definitely be a safe choice for surfing. You need to ensure that you follow all the safety rules and regulations to make sure you don’t end up facing any risks. For beginners, the northern end of this beach is considered to be a safe option when opting for surfing. Other than that, don’t wander far from the shore itself, and try remaining in between the red and yellow flags only.
There isn’t any specific sea creature that you are guaranteed to see on Bondi Beach, as the type of sea creature that you will come across depends on the time of year you visit here and the temperature of the water as well. Some of the common sea creatures that you might find include shrimp, crabs, fish, and stingrays.
Contrary to the common belief that many people have, winters are often cited as the best time to go surfing. As per many veteran surfers, the South Swell is considered the most ideal swell for Bondi Beach. The reason for this is their clean and predictable waves that roll off in a very decent manner and present a very good ride for surfers of all kinds. When it comes to wind, an offshore wind is considered to be a good one to balance yourself. Small to medium swells are ideal for learning how to pop up and ride the board properly.
Yes, in most cases, an individual can develop a basic foundation for surfing in just a matter of three days. The skills that you will learn and get a grasp on will include all the basic mechanics, which include popping up, paddling, and riding whitewater waves as well. You will also gain some level of confidence in surfing. Being a complex skill to learn, getting a grasp of skills such as handling and turning the board and developing strong paddling skills won’t be possible. But one need not get demotivated, as with regular practice and persistence, getting along with this thrilling sport won’t be hard at all.
The name of Bondi Beach comes from its original Aboriginal name, “Boondi”, and sometimes it’s also spelt as ‘Bundi’, ‘Bundye’, and ‘Boondye’. As per some authorities, the word “Boondi” means ‘water tumbling over rocks’. Another reference for the meaning behind it is related to the Australian Museum records that denote “Boondi ” as a place where fighting with nullas took place. While the exact reason isn’t clear enough, both of these clarifications have their roots connected to the Aboriginal past.
No, not at all. In fact, 21 is a great age to start learning and getting along with surfing. You might need to put in a bit of extra work for yourself to develop the necessary fitness for this sport. There were many professional surfers who started in their 30s to opt surfing and got amazing results in it as well. Just make sure to opt for the right coach for yourself, which will make learning a lot easier for you.