In this video I go over what I view to be the three main levels of beginner surfing. In these phases you’re not turning the board at all. Pay attention to videos that have to do with wave judgment and riding on your belly. Then focus on videos about the pop up.
Beginner 1.0 — 00:30-1:30. Literally you don’t anything about surfing for the most part. New to the culture. Maybe had 1-2 lessons on vacation. You don’t yet “speak the language” or “know how to play the game.”
Beginner 2.0 — 1:30-2:49. You have some “vocabulary.” You have a sense that surfing is for you. You can ride white waters on your belly. Just starting to think about catching green waters. Lots of pearling. Still really trying to learn wave judgment and direction. Make about 50% of take offs.
Beginner 3.0 — 2:49-5:00. Take offs are more consistent, but you’re still making crucial mistakes. May have bad habits from learning from a bad school or coach. These habits need to be fixed before you graduate from this phase. Making 60-70% of take offs. Learning different postures and ways of standing on the board.