Great video thanks for the tips. Just want to have little rant though, as a beginner who gets up at 5.30 every morning and goes out at my local breaks I just want to express the struggles of surfing in crowds as a beginner. I'm pretty hopeless but I do catch green waves and I have even had some nice rides in the last 4 months since I started. Mostly I love all the other surfers they have been very kind, friendly and helpful and the positives of other surfers far outweigh the negatives I've even made some great friends out there. So now to the struggle of it, I try very hard to stay out of the way, find my own spot and of course catch waves but this usually means sitting wide paddling to get out of the way then back again closer to the inside to try and actually get a wave only to have someone else decide your probably not gonna make the wave so they'll drop in anyway and you have to pull back and scramble to get out of the way of the next surfer on the next wave or cop a set on the head. This exhausting process often requires you apologise to these other much more advanced surfers for the times you do get in their way, it can be an exhausting, humiliating and frustrating experience leaving you feeling a little deflated by the end of it. I'm overall very appreciative of the whole experience and I know everyone has to earn their stripes and get through the awkward beginner phase and I've learnt not to get too down on myself and just enjoy the process, but I still want to share this honest perspective because I know it encourages me to see other intermediate - advanced surfers talk about their humble beginnings and kindly make me feel better for my performance or lack there of. Anyway this is by no means a dig at other surfers in fact I have been so impressed with just how kind and helpful a lot of the surfing community has been. But I also just want any other beginners out there to know there not alone in the humbling experience of learning to surf. Kooks unite ;)
the struggle is real! just know that everyone has been there, and it sounds like you are doing well for 4 months of surfing. Unfortunately there is always a pecking order, which is mostly a way to keep everyone safe but can also be abused by better/older surfers. The only way to move up the order is to improve your skills and confidence, which takes time. But remember, if you have the inside position and are on your feet, let out a mighty hoot and get those clowns off your wave!
Totally know your pain bud! For a flip on your experience, try going for a surf at a beginner spot in summer and surfing with the once a year folks. You'll feel both the superiority and frustration of expert surfers. But it'll come.
Thanks for that yeah I do need to be patient and just build a bit more confidence so I'm not completely intimidated when it gets a bit crowded. Thanks for all the tips :)
Yeah think that would be a good idea I mostly go to the spots really close to me and they are all pretty much intermediate - advanced breaks. I'm sure an extra 10 mins in the car for a more beginner friendly break would be worth it. Thanks Matt :)
Everyone goes through that phase. You may get to revisit it if you go to a premier break. There is definitely a pecking order, and it is fluid. As he said in the video, missing a wave moves you down, making a wave moves you up. Assuming from your name, you are female. Some guys will give you a wave or two to be nice, others will be dicks, and drop in on you just because you're a girl. The best thing you can do is keep surfing, and build your confidence. Other surfers can sense your confidence level. Once you show them you can back it up, you'll get more waves, and less drop ins.
That was a great tip regards using two points for Lining up. I have always lined something up, and just tried to stay directly in front of it, which helps, but is nowhere near as precise as the two points method you mentioned is. Sometimes things are so simple and obvious, but you just hadn't thought of it before. And it's the little details that can change things up and refine things so much more. Cheers brother.
Dude you're one of the best coaches here on TH-cam... thank you so much.. you do us novice surfers a huge favor! Great job pointing out people's mistakes too.
Paddle out and sit underneath for a few sets. You get the waves others turn their noses up at. You work your way up the line up and end up at the peak. Say hello and don't drop in or hassle.
LOVE the hilarious intro! Thought I’d watched every surf video on the internet when yours took me by surprise. I dig your whole vibe. Nicely done. I just subscribed.
Or early bird gets the worm - if first lighting is 5am you should be paddling out by 5:20 (yes ten minutes before sunrise) it is you and two others for sometime before locals (oops surf invader) roll outta bed and check the cams ( two guys paddled outlast week only waist high; because my waves on the cam)
- The more you see the wave, the better you surf the wave - Awesome video breakdowns bro, we speak a lot of the same vocabulary when it comes to the "Begintermediate" stage of surfing,
been surfing 49 yrs....and still on a short board thank-you very much... the two points is only good for typical reef or beach break. Point breaks require a third point and its crucial in fast moving point break waves. You need a point up the line on land to keep you in the correct (depth) spot on the reef... to far out ...you miss out...to far in you are duck diving...factor in a crowd (non locals start to shadow you ) and tide and its constant jockying to always be in the best spot (or take people out of the spot, to another spot then come back to the original spot ha ha )...local knowledge rules on this one.
Thanks ! All the guys in the lineup are getting really pissed off at me because I’m getting more and better waves . I’ve only been surfing for two years and I’m smoking life time surfers ,thanks to your shared knowledge!✌🏼
Great video. It's nice to have a surf vid not about people being in love with their own voice or drawing an 8 minute point into a 20 minute video well done bruv
I never stop moving in the line up. If someone paddles inside me I'll paddle around them if they paddle around me I'll try and push them to deep so they are in the wrong spot. I surf The Super Bank Coolangatta and all around Gold coast. With 50 guys in the line up all competing for position Its like a game of chess with a bit of luck in between. Usually the fitter guy gets the wave which is why I also swim in a lap pool for about 5klm a week to stay strong. At 38 years old I can still manage to pick a few off to my self. Saying that, there is a lot of respect on gold coast and if you have been paddling against the sweep for 40 minutes sometimes someone will yell you in, and your on! I will do my best to return the favour. Happy surfing!!!!!!
Thank You So Much for the great advice and visuals that i didn't get out of the other instructive videos out there or even from my Surfing Coach !! I was actually able to put your suggestions especially about catching a green wave and watching for that sweet spot zone on each side of the steep wave. I was able to get most of the waves i hunted down. Keep up the hilarious Intros , hhahahahahaha!
hey, was the first part of your video where you talked about walking away and getting away from the crowd somewhere in NZ or Australia? Just asking cuz it looked a lot like a placed I surfed in NZ just south of Raglan.
Drifting up and down the beach is pretty easy to notice with just one beach marker.* trianglization uses an lateral marker if you have one in the coastal Bend of things usually there's something to your left or right that you can line up with along with something on the shore that is called triangle ization and that pinpoint your spot in the lineup you might want to mention that...still a great video. By the way no mention of dealing with the crowd really with some people who you got to dodge like slalom clone cones lol....love the go down the coast strategy!!!!
This is a really good point (lateral marker). For accuracy, two points lined up will serve you better if you can find them. If you are really close to the beach it's not such a big deal, but comes in handy when you surf somewhere further out to sea.
Classic! 'sic' being the operative bit of the word there! Love it man! Preciate your cheeky sense of humour....oh and your insights into sea-surf-waves-surfing! Coolio bro!
Hahaha awesome videos mate-great intro. Great to watch great vids from a fellow kiwi. Such a a good point 'waiting to catch waves that other people make mistakes on'. Your explanations are so clear and helpful-it also helps that you are gorgeous. :) Cheer!
Love the dog “wave” joke. Maybe I am a beginner and still need to build up my stamina but With my 9’6 board, I get tire moving around trying to put myself in the right position. Once I felt I am on the spot, I barely have any energy paddle with intensity. 😔
Haha same. I’m forcing myself to paddle rather than walk out but then I’m exhausted when it’s time to catch the wave. I guess fitness will come (or I’ve left it too late in life to start)
Great video. I have a question about how to handle a situation that happens to me quite frequently. When I'm in position to catch a wave sometimes a more experienced surfer will paddle right into the zone under me, where if I were to take off I would basically be dropping in right on top of them. I always back off because I don't want to run them over, but it causes me to miss a lot of waves. I was wondering how you're supposed to handle that?
If you have earned your spot in the line up (else they will deliberately drop in) then you will need to show them that you can take off and verbally call them out of the wave. If you continue to pull back then they will continue to pressure and try taking off from the shoulder. /Just go.
this is a dick move from them. if someone tries that on me, I will usually weave around them to their inside with one hooking paddle from one arm. When you are coming from behind you should have more momentum than they do. As Sky Wards mentions you will need to be a bit staunch and communicate that you won't put up with that kind of malarky.
This is how you catch more waves. 2-3 hours a day every day. I know guys that have surfed ten 15 years and they still suck. You have to be totally committed every day or your always going to be left with scraps. Pay your dues. It takes a long long time
Don't you guys use words like peak? It's all about finding and taking off on the peak. You could have gotten surf cam footage and talked about the guy paddling around and catching the most waves. 2-3 footers would be good. I get you were using that one red, green and blue wave as an example but damn, most people don't surf waves like that or even the one in your go pro example. Also lets face it paying your dues and becoming a local will let you paddle back to the peak over and over without taking turns, especially at reef and point breaks.
Appreciate your thoughts Connor. Sometimes you can't take off on the peak, for example on a point break. It can also be misleading, like maybe you can see the peak, but if its not steep enough you want catch it. Or if you let it get too steep you'll have trouble too. So instead you look at the angle of water as it approaches, and learn to predict what the wave will do next and positioning yourself accordingly (something we never really stop learning). The same rules apply for bigger waves, the angle you want is the same, so the video is for those who want to eventually push themselves into bigger and heavier waves. You can feel when you get the timing right, the takeoff/standing up is a lot easier. So it's something we should practice. Yes I wish I was a local at a surf beach but for the moment I'll take scraps like the surf rat I am!
the surf rat huh? Point breaks have the smallest and most obvious takeoff areas. I think beach breaks are more shifty and confusing for beginners. Beginners dont usually start off at perfect peeling point breaks or a frame reefs. Also if the angle of the wave face isnt right youre not on the peak, by the definiton im used to. I like what youre doing, not many surf instruction videos talk about ocean knowledge. Only popping up and turning.
Yea I think it's a terminology thing. It's hard to describe lots of things that happen in the ocean to someone who hasn't spent much time there. There is probably no better way to learn to take good drops than to nose dive a lot. People should know the top pros nose dive too, just in a bigger/heavier scenario, so we can always improve. Appreciate your feedback!
I still think some people are way to sensitive when they are sitting in the wrong spot and get all offended when you take the inside in the correct position
I recommend other hobbies to grumpy surfers. Older guys generally don’t realize they don’t have the fitness anymore and should spend time doing something else.
Great video thanks for the tips.
Just want to have little rant though, as a beginner who gets up at 5.30 every morning and goes out at my local breaks I just want to express the struggles of surfing in crowds as a beginner. I'm pretty hopeless but I do catch green waves and I have even had some nice rides in the last 4 months since I started.
Mostly I love all the other surfers they have been very kind, friendly and helpful and the positives of other surfers far outweigh the negatives I've even made some great friends out there.
So now to the struggle of it, I try very hard to stay out of the way, find my own spot and of course catch waves but this usually means sitting wide paddling to get out of the way then back again closer to the inside to try and actually get a wave only to have someone else decide your probably not gonna make the wave so they'll drop in anyway and you have to pull back and scramble to get out of the way of the next surfer on the next wave or cop a set on the head. This exhausting process often requires you apologise to these other much more advanced surfers for the times you do get in their way, it can be an exhausting, humiliating and frustrating experience leaving you feeling a little deflated by the end of it.
I'm overall very appreciative of the whole experience and I know everyone has to earn their stripes and get through the awkward beginner phase and I've learnt not to get too down on myself and just enjoy the process, but I still want to share this honest perspective because I know it encourages me to see other intermediate - advanced surfers talk about their humble beginnings and kindly make me feel better for my performance or lack there of.
Anyway this is by no means a dig at other surfers in fact I have been so impressed with just how kind and helpful a lot of the surfing community has been. But I also just want any other beginners out there to know there not alone in the humbling experience of learning to surf.
Kooks unite ;)
the struggle is real! just know that everyone has been there, and it sounds like you are doing well for 4 months of surfing. Unfortunately there is always a pecking order, which is mostly a way to keep everyone safe but can also be abused by better/older surfers. The only way to move up the order is to improve your skills and confidence, which takes time. But remember, if you have the inside position and are on your feet, let out a mighty hoot and get those clowns off your wave!
Totally know your pain bud! For a flip on your experience, try going for a surf at a beginner spot in summer and surfing with the once a year folks. You'll feel both the superiority and frustration of expert surfers. But it'll come.
Thanks for that yeah I do need to be patient and just build a bit more confidence so I'm not completely intimidated when it gets a bit crowded. Thanks for all the tips :)
Yeah think that would be a good idea I mostly go to the spots really close to me and they are all pretty much intermediate - advanced breaks. I'm sure an extra 10 mins in the car for a more beginner friendly break would be worth it. Thanks Matt :)
Everyone goes through that phase. You may get to revisit it if you go to a premier break. There is definitely a pecking order, and it is fluid. As he said in the video, missing a wave moves you down, making a wave moves you up. Assuming from your name, you are female. Some guys will give you a wave or two to be nice, others will be dicks, and drop in on you just because you're a girl. The best thing you can do is keep surfing, and build your confidence. Other surfers can sense your confidence level. Once you show them you can back it up, you'll get more waves, and less drop ins.
That was a great tip regards using two points for Lining up. I have always lined something up, and just tried to stay directly in front of it, which helps, but is nowhere near as precise as the two points method you mentioned is.
Sometimes things are so simple and obvious, but you just hadn't thought of it before. And it's the little details that can change things up and refine things so much more. Cheers brother.
Dude you're one of the best coaches here on TH-cam... thank you so much.. you do us novice surfers a huge favor! Great job pointing out people's mistakes too.
Thanks Mia
That intro was hilarious
It was the funniest intro on youtub
Bringing a spear gun usually moves crowd
Bro I just found your channel but you haven’t posted in a while. The videos are ace- come back!
Coming back soon
Paddle out and sit underneath for a few sets. You get the waves others turn their noses up at. You work your way up the line up and end up at the peak. Say hello and don't drop in or hassle.
this is what I would do with sup and bodyboarding, just staying out of people's way until you're confident enough.
LOVE the hilarious intro! Thought I’d watched every surf video on the internet when yours took me by surprise. I dig your whole vibe. Nicely done. I just subscribed.
Great stuff, bro! Solid teaching - script, vids, effects lay it all out.
I find as I get older, after I have surfed a wave and made my way back to the line up, I'm glad of the rest till its my turn again.
Another tip could be - don't wait for sets --sacrifice a foot of wave to get volumes of waves - #teaminside
Also cardiovascular exercise like stair climbing (no cheating machines) - faster recovery = more waves
Or early bird gets the worm - if first lighting is 5am you should be paddling out by 5:20 (yes ten minutes before sunrise) it is you and two others for sometime before locals (oops surf invader) roll outta bed and check the cams ( two guys paddled outlast week only waist high; because my waves on the cam)
Subscribe d - great series
Haha yes I am definitely part of that team, just keep it quiet!
yeah but then theres a possibility you could get in someones way
- The more you see the wave, the better you surf the wave - Awesome video breakdowns bro, we speak a lot of the same vocabulary when it comes to the "Begintermediate" stage of surfing,
been surfing 49 yrs....and still on a short board thank-you very much... the two points is only good for typical reef or beach break. Point breaks require a third point and its crucial in fast moving point break waves. You need a point up the line on land to keep you in the correct (depth) spot on the reef... to far out ...you miss out...to far in you are duck diving...factor in a crowd (non locals start to shadow you ) and tide and its constant jockying to always be in the best spot (or take people out of the spot, to another spot then come back to the original spot ha ha )...local knowledge rules on this one.
Thanks I dig the graphics. Really clear illustration to cement it in my brain
Thanks ! All the guys in the lineup are getting really pissed off at me because I’m getting more and better waves . I’ve only been surfing for two years and I’m smoking life time surfers ,thanks to your shared knowledge!✌🏼
Great video. It's nice to have a surf vid not about people being in love with their own voice or drawing an 8 minute point into a 20 minute video well done bruv
I like your vids, the effort and the humour you put into it!
I never stop moving in the line up. If someone paddles inside me I'll paddle around them if they paddle around me I'll try and push them to deep so they are in the wrong spot. I surf The Super Bank Coolangatta and all around Gold coast. With 50 guys in the line up all competing for position Its like a game of chess with a bit of luck in between. Usually the fitter guy gets the wave which is
why I also swim in a lap pool for about 5klm a week to stay strong. At 38 years old I can still manage to pick a few off to my self. Saying that, there is a lot of respect on gold coast and if you have been paddling against the sweep for 40 minutes sometimes
someone will yell you in, and your on! I will do my best to return the favour. Happy surfing!!!!!!
Thank You So Much for the great advice and visuals that i didn't get out of the other instructive videos out there or even from my Surfing Coach !! I was actually able to put your suggestions especially about catching a green wave and watching for that sweet spot zone on each side of the steep wave. I was able to get most of the waves i hunted down. Keep up the hilarious Intros , hhahahahahaha!
Dude! Your channel rocks! Keep it up man!
Dad jokes for days. lol Digging your content and message, man!
I love your video thank you! I have to paint a green wave for someone and this has really helped me 🎉👍
hey, was the first part of your video where you talked about walking away and getting away from the crowd somewhere in NZ or Australia? Just asking cuz it looked a lot like a placed I surfed in NZ just south of Raglan.
Peace sign tree to grey roof is pretty good. The lone tree also gets steep sometimes.
Drifting up and down the beach is pretty easy to notice with just one beach marker.*
trianglization uses an lateral marker if you have one in the coastal Bend of things usually there's something to your left or right that you can line up with along with something on the shore that is called triangle ization and that pinpoint your spot in the lineup you might want to mention that...still a great video. By the way no mention of dealing with the crowd really with some people who you got to dodge like slalom clone cones lol....love the go down the coast strategy!!!!
This is a really good point (lateral marker). For accuracy, two points lined up will serve you better if you can find them. If you are really close to the beach it's not such a big deal, but comes in handy when you surf somewhere further out to sea.
Facial tattoos are a good way of intimidating would be wave crashers.
Not anymore... everyone has them seems like. Even soccer moms ;-D
The best is missing front tooth and smile at everyone as you take the inside all day
Perineum tattoos is where it’s at! Both intimidating And enticing all at once🤓
I only have in and out stickers. But has the same effect. People just don’t want to be around you
I like the way of his exploanation. Simple (important for non native english people) and entertaming.
That was awesome. Great 🪝 intro, excellent content And footage. Love it!
Classic! 'sic' being the operative bit of the word there! Love it man! Preciate your cheeky sense of humour....oh and your insights into sea-surf-waves-surfing! Coolio bro!
Hahaha awesome videos mate-great intro. Great to watch great vids from a fellow kiwi. Such a a good point 'waiting to catch waves that other people make mistakes on'. Your explanations are so clear and helpful-it also helps that you are gorgeous. :) Cheer!
Love the dog “wave” joke.
Maybe I am a beginner and still need to build up my stamina but With my 9’6 board, I get tire moving around trying to put myself in the right position. Once I felt I am on the spot, I barely have any energy paddle with intensity. 😔
Haha same. I’m forcing myself to paddle rather than walk out but then I’m exhausted when it’s time to catch the wave. I guess fitness will come (or I’ve left it too late in life to start)
@@k1ng401 haha. Me too started at 49. Wife makes fun of me for starting so late in life. But I love it n can’t get enough.
I really liked the color coded wave.
Cool video, but paddle in the red part is the best thing.. critical zone, late take off, that's the best part of surfing!!
where to buy those triangles?? great vid, LMAO
Thank you! Great video
you deserve so many more subs your views speak for themselves
really nice video, very entertaining and helps alot preparing the next surf trip
awesome! Its freezing here and all I can think about is a tropical getaway
Best surf vids ever! Keep going!
Great video! That was a nice barrel too
Great tips really helps me
These Videos are great!! Thanks!!! Where are the destinations in these videos
No problem bud. I won't be naming spots here though, see and ye shall find!
Love it, really well made. super inspiring. Thank you
appreciate the positivity!
Thank you!
Great video. I have a question about how to handle a situation that happens to me quite frequently. When I'm in position to catch a wave sometimes a more experienced surfer will paddle right into the zone under me, where if I were to take off I would basically be dropping in right on top of them. I always back off because I don't want to run them over, but it causes me to miss a lot of waves. I was wondering how you're supposed to handle that?
If you have earned your spot in the line up (else they will deliberately drop in) then you will need to show them that you can take off and verbally call them out of the wave.
If you continue to pull back then they will continue to pressure and try taking off from the shoulder.
/Just go.
@@skywards5714 Thanks for the reply. That makes a lot of sense.
this is a dick move from them. if someone tries that on me, I will usually weave around them to their inside with one hooking paddle from one arm. When you are coming from behind you should have more momentum than they do. As Sky Wards mentions you will need to be a bit staunch and communicate that you won't put up with that kind of malarky.
Very helpful 👍🏽
The start of videos are the best hahahahahahahah, nice videos dude
Great job man. Well explained and funny I GUESS :p
Much love from Nova Scotia
Great video, you deserve more subs and veiws :)
Thanks bro, I'll keep trying!
+1 subscriber that intro was brilliant LOL
love the seagull analogy. pretty funny
F-ing Awesome! Brilliant Intro-Hook!
very good video Surf Rat!!
Nicely done again. Shared and subbing
Thank you!!
Solid video.
The water looks really nice and clear
where is this in NZ
good one, thx!
You must have been at Boulders..
Good video.
Whats the song at 1:15?
Thanks very much
Good job
Love the intro 😂
love this, thank you :)
Is that raglan?
On my off days my favourite strategy is paddling in for small waves between sets then getting drilled on the set and repeat :')
good video
is that dandruff all over your shirt??
Given the opportunity, I always go straight for the triangle.
hahaha... great intro specially d wave 😁👍
:)thank you !
6:30 wow i found this helpful
This is how you catch more waves. 2-3 hours a day every day. I know guys that have surfed ten 15 years and they still suck. You have to be totally committed every day or your always going to be left with scraps. Pay your dues. It takes a long long time
the worst wave stealers act friendly and smile, usually
Where is this? Why are the waves so damn good??
Narnia
The Surf Rat what country/area of that country
The Surf Rat and not Narnia I mean really
Hey Robert in the spirit of adventure and exploration I won't be naming any spots on this channel. Seek and you shall find!
Man's a kiwi
"sharkkkk" always works
haha best intro
But the red zone is fun daddy
How to catch more waves without being addict (there is no way).
Kiwis..
Give away surfboard hehe😁🏄🏾🤙🏻
Don't you guys use words like peak? It's all about finding and taking off on the peak. You could have gotten surf cam footage and talked about the guy paddling around and catching the most waves. 2-3 footers would be good. I get you were using that one red, green and blue wave as an example but damn, most people don't surf waves like that or even the one in your go pro example.
Also lets face it paying your dues and becoming a local will let you paddle back to the peak over and over without taking turns, especially at reef and point breaks.
Appreciate your thoughts Connor. Sometimes you can't take off on the peak, for example on a point break. It can also be misleading, like maybe you can see the peak, but if its not steep enough you want catch it. Or if you let it get too steep you'll have trouble too.
So instead you look at the angle of water as it approaches, and learn to predict what the wave will do next and positioning yourself accordingly (something we never really stop learning). The same rules apply for bigger waves, the angle you want is the same, so the video is for those who want to eventually push themselves into bigger and heavier waves. You can feel when you get the timing right, the takeoff/standing up is a lot easier. So it's something we should practice.
Yes I wish I was a local at a surf beach but for the moment I'll take scraps like the surf rat I am!
the surf rat huh? Point breaks have the smallest and most obvious takeoff areas. I think beach breaks are more shifty and confusing for beginners. Beginners dont usually start off at perfect peeling point breaks or a frame reefs.
Also if the angle of the wave face isnt right youre not on the peak, by the definiton im used to.
I like what youre doing, not many surf instruction videos talk about ocean knowledge. Only popping up and turning.
Yea I think it's a terminology thing. It's hard to describe lots of things that happen in the ocean to someone who hasn't spent much time there. There is probably no better way to learn to take good drops than to nose dive a lot. People should know the top pros nose dive too, just in a bigger/heavier scenario, so we can always improve. Appreciate your feedback!
Hilarious 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Hahaha!
Insta subscribe
what are you like 12, 14..
I still think some people are way to sensitive when they are sitting in the wrong spot and get all offended when you take the inside in the correct position
Intros are too long. We had to wait for over a minute for this video to get to the point.
I recommend other hobbies to grumpy surfers. Older guys generally don’t realize they don’t have the fitness anymore and should spend time doing something else.
20 times more experience than you and still fit .....