Surfing safety tips
Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.
Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas dangerous.
Use your hands to cover your face,(eyes, nose, mouth) every time you come back from a wipe out: Stay under the water for couple extra seconds, this way you make sure that your board is far from you and come to the surface with your arms-hands protecting your face. Make this an habit.
Never give your back to the ocean:
Awareness is very important whe we are surfing. Always focus of what happend where the waves come from. Be aware of other surfers, swimmers, big waves, and your board.
Surf Etiquette: Surf has rules has any other sport. When you decide to catch a wave, look both sides and make sure no one is comming.
When you are learning is better to surf in places that are not crouded but always surf with a friend.
If you paddle a wave in the same time that some one does, check out if you are in the pic and make notice to the other surfer which way you are going. Healthy comunication in the water help to make friends.
Manage your board safety:
Your board is long and shape like a boat. If you think about this and look at boat you will have an idea of how to manage your board. When you are going out, walk with your board in one of your side, grabbing the tale with one hand and holding the middle part with the other. If a wave come true then push the tale down so the nose of the board come up and you can pass the wave over.
When the time is right paddle out always with the board straigth to the out side, you have to brake the waves. NEVERKEEP THE BOARD SIDEWAYS BETHUIN YOU AND THE WAVES! The wave will push the board and the board will push you very hard! watch out, this is dangerous.
Some times can be shallow, watch your ancles.
Keep your chess up for catch the waves.
Come and take a surfing lesson with us and we will teach you and show you this and more safety tip!
We hope this help you to start.
SHAKA SURF SCHOOL!