1. Picking Your Lineup: For your first few times out you want to pick an area with slow rolling waves. Avoid getting into the middle of a large group of surfers. Avoid rocks, choral and other submerged areas of the water. Pick a time when the currents are not as strong.
2. Entering the Shore Break: While you are walking out past the shore break keep your board to the side of your body underneath your arm. Don’t let the surfboard get between you and the wave; you will just get slammed down into the water.
3. Paddle Out: Once you are past the shore break begin to paddle out into the waves. Paddle head on into the waves so you can either duck-dive or paddle over the crest. Never go at an angle. This will lead to you being continuously flipped over into the water.
*Paddling out techniques includes the push-up, duck-dive and turtle-roll.
Push-Up: Used for smaller waves. Allow the waves to break over your board and under your chest.
Duck-Dive: Most popular technique. Used when the surf is powerful. Press the nose of your surfboard down into the water. Press the tail down with your dominant foot. Allow the wave to harmlessly break over you.
Turtle-Roll: Used on occasions when the surfboard is too heavy to push underwater. Right before the wave hits you grab the rails of the board and flip it over you body. Allow the wave to pass over you will you kick through the current.