Do you know the 4 essential phases of learning to surf? Today we want to tell you about 4 important aspects that will help you in your development process.
In today's article, we will emphasize everything to consider when starting to practice a sport and what the secrets are to increasing your skill level.
The phases of learning to surf
1. Practice
Repetition is the mother of developing a skill like surfing. Once you go through all the phases of learning to surf, there will come a point where you won't even have to think about how to do it. The most important thing at this stage is, of course, systematic and constant practice, as well as equipment suitable for your needs.
We know from statistics that around 70% of surfers do not use the right board for their surfing level. It's not the same to practice on a 5.11 board, thin as a missile, as it is on our Double Agent funboard of 7 feet, which practically finds waves on its own. The first person will practice, but the results they get will only be a fraction of what they could achieve if they used the right equipment. No one learns to drive in a Formula 1 car.
Have you read Malcolm Gladwell's book, which defines the 10,000-hour rule? If you haven't, here's a summary:
Anyone who has reached outstanding levels in an activity (examples in his book include: Bill Gates, The Beatles, professional athletes, among others) has had 10,000 hours of practice under their belt. Which means, on average, the not insignificant sum of 20 hours a week of practice for at least 10 years.
2. Progress
Progress is a great argument for asserting that natural talent may not exist and that with the right amount of practice, anyone can reach that level of excellence. Keep in mind that when I say progress, I'm not just referring to your athletic ability but also to your ability and capacity to read and understand the flow of the sea when surfing.
The hardest part of surfing is consistently getting up on your board. If you've already done that, congratulations, you're on the right track. If not, persist in your goal; sheer insistence and overcoming falls play a very important role in your surfing progress. Of course, it also helps if you love the ocean and how it makes you feel after a session. I think it's important to emphasize that there is always a natural progression as we practice any new skill. ALWAYS, even if you don't see it, so don't get discouraged.
3. Peaks
The next phase in developing a skill or goal is reaching that point where you achieve a high point or peak in your performance. Technically speaking, it's reaching the maximum level of your current ability. These are specifically those moments when you're in the water with your chest puffed out, saying with your posture, "look at me," that this is how you surf; you feel great about your surfing, whatever your level, and you truly realize with pride that you've progressed after much hard-won practice.
What you have surely noticed is that, regardless of the skill you are developing, you will have a series of peaks or very high points along the way. At each of these peaks, you encounter one or two pieces of knowledge or "insights" that will cause an exponential increase in your abilities. The position of your hips, bending your knees, looking where you want to go are examples of these newly acquired insights. I'm telling you, they are VERY VALUABLE, and no matter how many times someone explains them to you, you will only learn them by acquiring them yourself through practice and progress.
4. Plateaus or Valleys
Plateaus are interesting and frustrating at the same time. We usually find ourselves wanting to give up everything because we are simply not making any progress. The main difference between those who achieve their goal and those who don't is persistence precisely at these moments when you most want to give up and leave everything. Sometimes you come out of the water frustrated, angry, ashamed, and sometimes even beaten up. Does that sound familiar? Plateaus are the lowest points in your performance as a surfer.
The strangest thing about a plateau is that it appears to be a period where you're not making any progress, but what's actually happening is that you're refining the skills you learned during previous peak stages.
Conclusions of the learning phases
Read your journal with the knowledge you acquired during the peak stage, if necessary, write them down somewhere on your board, practice, both in and especially out of the water, don't get anxious or pressure yourself. ENJOY every minute you are in the lineup, and you will gradually realize that the knot will unravel, and your surfing will slowly begin to flow again.
By nature, humans are impatient; we want everything, and fast. We want success sooner rather than later, we want it today. What you need to know is that success achieved through fleeting moments of gratification is nothing more than a house of cards, unstable and immaterial. So, enjoy every moment of frustration, of coming out wet and cold and wanting to give up everything, because without realizing it, you are steadily on your way to achieving the longed-for dream of surfing with skill, speed, and fluidity.
Here are some tips to improve your paddling!
See you in the water!
