Booicore's Guide to Surfing (Don't let the weather put you off!)

Here at booicore, we love the outdoor life and are always looking for ways to get out there and have an adventure. Taking up a new sport is always a great way to have some fun, especially when it has its own culture and lifestyle as well. Take surfing, for example; it can seem a little daunting as it even has its own language (Chinese Wax Job anyone?) and it may be a steep learning curve as well, but it is so worth it in the end.

If you are just starting out on your journey to becoming a surfer then don't worry, the team at booicore have pulled together these simple tips to help you make a start on changing your life.

Tip One: Learn about the Ocean

One of the most important things to learn about when you want to become a surfer is learning about the ocean and how weather affects it. You can start off with the online surf forecasting websites - and there are many - but these will never be as good as having a genuine understanding of tides. Taking an in-depth look at the ocean, how waves form, the ebb and flow of tides, wind strength and direction, ocean types, passing weather fronts and so on will mean that you will be able to forecast the surf condition for yourself and stay safer in the water. You won't find many surf schools teaching this as a skill, so it’s a bit of a do it yourself job, but it will be so rewarding as it will bring you into the surfing world much quicker.

Tip Two: Book Lessons

Yeah, it is a bit of a no-brainer this one, but you need to be taught the basics correctly so that you get off on the right foot. Having formal lessons from a qualified surf school means you will start off your surfing adventure with the correct form and habits and you can develop from there. Surfing is one of those sports where you are always learning so make sure you take to follow up lessons every now and again or chat to more experienced surfers to help you learn more about wave knowledge and technique improvements.

Tip Three: Borrow Before You Buy

If you are just starting out and aren't sure if surfing is going to be the sport for you (are you mad?!) then borrow or rent a board, leash and wetsuit for a while. Then once you have found your sea legs and been bitten by the surfing bug, you can invest in a decent wetsuit and surfboard. A good tip to keep in mind as well is, the bigger and floatier a board is the better it is for beginners as it will be easier to learn on being generally more forgiving.

Tip Four: Time is Essential

To become a good surfer, like with anything else, you need to put the time in. The more time you can spend in the water, the better you will become in a shorter time. Simple!

Tip Five: Surf Etiquette Is a Thing

Surfing doesn't have many formal rules but having a basic understanding of the etiquette involved will go a long way when you are sharing the water with other surfers. Don't catch a wave when there is already another surfer on their (dropping in), don't hog the waves, don't paddle out to a wave that is too big and you are not confident about riding, show a little respect to other surfers and never, ever leave litter.

Tip Six: Have Fun

You don't need to wear the latest gear or know all the lingo to be accepted into the surfing world. Just be yourself, ride whatever board you lie in whatever way suits you, and never stop learning. The most important thing though is just to HAVE FUN!

If you are just starting out as a surfer or are a real pro, then you need one of our booicore changing robes in your life. In a variety of colours, they will keep you covered when you are changing in the car park & are just what you need to warm you up after a day on the waves.