Your Guide to Surfing | Learn How to Surf

If you've ever caught yourself saying, "I want to learn how to surf", you have come to the right place. This free online guide to surfing provides you with good information to learn surf basics like choosing a good beginner surfboard, where to surf, how to pop up and how to paddle a surfboard. You'll find instructional surfing videos and more. You will find your answers here.

Whether you are young or old YOU CAN SURF! Surfing is such a pure and amazing experience. I hope this website encourages you to get out and surf. 

I recently wrote an article for Hubpages answering the question, “Can I paddle faster on a shortboard?”.  It is a common question from beginning surfers. Since writing the article, I have discussed the topic with friends and discovered that most non-surfer's or new surfers assume a shortboard is the fastest surfboard to paddle. With that in mind, I have decided to add a new page to SURFhow's website to go over the topic in a little more detail than I did in the Hubpages article. Here is the new addition to SURFhow: Which Surfboard is the Fastest to Paddle?

Update: There is a new additon to the website: Intermediate Surf Lessons. The section will grow over the next couple of months. For August, I have completed two lessons.  The first surf lesson is  How To Duck Dive a Surfboard.  Duck diving a surfboard is a surfing skill used to easily get through a breaking wave or heavy whitewater. There aren't many steps involved in duck diving a surfboard. But when you are out surfing, getting the timing right for the duck dive takes a lot of practice.  The second lesson discusses the difference between trimming your surfboard and carving. Trimming Your Surfboard.

I've been on a writing spree of late and have just started another new category to the website, Surfing Accessories.  The surfing accessories category has been created to help you navigate your way through the multitude of surf accessories on the market. I will be writing reviews of different surf products. The first surf product I have reviewed is Surfboard Racks For Cars.

In the Learn Surf Basics section of the website you will learn the essential elements required for successful surfing.

When it comes to buying a surfboard, the choices seem limitless. Shortboard, funboard or longboard? Fiberglass or epoxy surfboard? New or used? Surfboards are designed for many different styles and levels of surfing abilities. Different surfboard styles are explained and you are guided through the process of deciding which surfboard is best for you in our Surfboard Info section. Another type of surfboard option available to beginner surfers is the Softboard Surfboard.  These are great options for kids learning to surf.

If you live in a cold climate or simply like the idea of surf travel, there is a useful list of airline surfboard bag charges. Did you know some airlines have blackout periods during peak travel times where they won't accept your surfboard on the plane? Some airlines charge up to $250 each way for your surfboard! While others simply consider your surfboard part of your checked baggage and your surfboard is free. Check it out if you plan to travel with your surfboard. If you're traveling on an airline that isn't listed on the page, please send me an email and I'll update the page.  My email address is info@surfhow.com.

Regarding surf travel, surf travel medical insurance shouldn't be overlooked. Our page on surf travel insurance will discuss the coverage options you need before you leave home on your vacation.  There are choices you should make to ensure have the right type of  policy. Making the smart choices will save you money. Surf Travel Insurance

Have you tried to search for surf videos yet on a particular surfing topic? It can take some time to find one that covers your question. Here, you will find good quality instructional surf videos. Also, one of the key things to learn to surf is simply the act of watching good surfers. So there is a section with great surfing videos too. Through watching great surfers and really paying attention to what they are doing and where they are placing themselves (on their surfboard and on the wave) you will learn to surf better. Learning to surf is all about paddling strength, wave selection and stance. You can learn two of the three by watching others at the beach and on surf videos.

I live in Costa Rica, so I've got a section on surfing in Costa Rica. If you are looking for the best place to surf in Costa Rica, I've put together my top ten selection of surf beaches in Costa Rica on the Surfing Costa Rica page, complete with surf videos of each beach.  The best place to learn to surf in Costa Rica is at Playa Carmen which is in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais. Located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa is one of Costa Rica's most beautiful coastal locations. It is not crowded, yet there is a great variety of restaurants and hotels to choose from, something for every budget.