Surfing requires a lot of skill and patience. For beginners, a challenging part of surfing is to stand up on the surf board while catching a wave. This requires balance and skill which can be achieved by following some of the following guidelines the Akahmai team suggests:
Keep your head in a straight-forward position in order to keep your concentration and help maintain your balance. If you are a beginner its better if you place your stronger leg towards the back when you stand up. It’s the same as with snowboarding or skate boarding.
Your feet should be placed in a position so that your legs are wider than your shoulders, and your front foot is placed across the deck. This type of position will give you a strong stance on the surf board. When you stand up on the board you should bend your knees slightly, lowering your center of gravity and helping to secure your balance.
Now your back leg should tuck in slightly and transfer your body weight to front leg by pushing your hips forward. You will be using lower half of your body to secure and maintain balance. In your next steps you will be using upper half of your body to maintain overall balance.
As you secure a balance on your surf board with your legs, you should stretch both your arms out, as if you were walking across a balance beam. But rather than out to your sides, stretch one arm towards the nose of the board, and the other towards the back. Keep your head in that straight-forward position, in the same direction of your front arm.
Take plenty of time to practice on the beach before you head onto the waves. Make sure you are comfortable with the steps and try them until they feel right. Then when you’re ready, start paddling. Paddle until your board starts moving faster than you. This is an indication for you to catch the wave. Don’t worry about falling down; the waves will help hold you up. Just work to maintain your balance and stay on the board. Once you get the hang of it, enjoy the ultimate feeling of riding on the waves.
