10 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR SURFING

If you have been enjoying the art of surfing for some time and are eager to take your skills to the next level, you are in the right place. Here are 10 essential tips to speed up your surfing progress and perfect your technique:

  • Plan your success in advance:

Before you jump into the water, take some time to observe and analyze the conditions of the beach. Observe how the other surfers perform, study the currents and visualize your entrance and exit to the sea. A solid plan will give you confidence and focus during your session.

  • Trust your Gut:

When you face challenging waves, trust will be your ally. At the crucial moment of the take off, trust your ability and have faith. In the waves, the board acquires a greater speed, which demands that our body follows. When the wave is bigger and more vertical, it is essential to apply more weight back to ensure that we stay within the center of gravity of the board.

  • The Power of a Powerful Scull:

Strengthen your arms and increase your stamina in the water. An energetic paddle will get you into the waves faster and strategically position you to catch the perfect wave.

  • Stance and balance:

Maintain a balanced and centered stance on the board. Feet shoulder width apart and knees bent. This will allow you to maneuver with more control and maintain your balance.

  • Move Your Feet:

Experiment with different foot positions on the board. Step forward, back, and change the angle of your stride to feel how it affects your control and weight distribution. This practice will allow you to consciously adjust your position.

  • Lean: The Secret to Successful Maneuvers:

Instead of focusing on rotation, focus your attention on the lean of the board. Use rails efficiently to direct your path on the wave. Tilt is the key to effective navigation.

  • Look Ahead:

Fix your gaze in the direction you want to go. Your body will naturally follow your gaze, which will help you maintain your balance and steer your board with precision. A focused gaze will guide you to more critical and successful maneuvers.

  • Practice Paddling Technique:

Paddling is key to catching waves and positioning yourself in the right spot. Practice paddling to improve speed and direction, allowing you to catch more waves.

  • The Mirror as Your Personal Teacher:

Use a mirror to analyze and correct your movements out of the water. Practice standing up and study each position to perfect your techniques. The mirror will give you invaluable visual feedback.

  • Step Back to Move Forward:

Sometimes moving forward requires taking a step back. Focus on polishing and improving fundamental aspects instead of obsessing over new maneuvers. Often by honing the fundamentals you will unlock new possibilities.

Remember that surfing is a continuous journey of learning and growing. Implement these tips into your practice and watch your surfing evolve into new dimensions. Each wave is an opportunity to improve yourself and explore the depths of your connection with the sea. Surf with passion and glide towards mastery on the waves!

If you want to learn to surf safely, do not hesitate to join us in Huanchaco, Peru. The Urcia Surf School team awaits you to take you out to sea.

Caballito tour

For thousands of years local fishermen have been using Caballitos de Totora (reed surfboard-like boats) to navigate the ocean and surf the waves. It’s how surfing in Peru started! During our Caballito tour, Santos Urcia – father of Juninho – will show you how a caballito is made and will explain about this tradition that is still very much alive today. Of course you will have plenty of opportunity to try riding one yourself and catch some fish! Afterwards we will have a traditional Peruvian Ceviche lunch where we will prepare the catch of the day together. The tour takes about half a day in total.

Caballito de totora tour by Urcia Surf School in Huanchaco

Massage

After some days of intense surfing a massage can pep you up again! Massages last 1 hour and take place at our masseurs. Let your masseur know which muscles you prefer to be treated.

Yoga

Start or end your day with a relaxing yoga session! The sessions take 1 hour and take place at the beach. Your yoga instructor will adapt the exercises to your level.

Breakfast

Our hearty and healthy surfer breakfast includes coffee or tea, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruits, bread, cheese, ham and eggs. 

We cater for vegetarians, vegans and or alergies. Please indicate this in the comment area.

Breakfast at Urcia Surf House

Spanish Lessons

Combining surfing with learning Spanish
If besides surfing you are up for another challenge, we also offer Spanish lessons as an option for all our surf camp packages. It’s not uncommon for the friendly locals of Huanchaco to start a conversation or give you surf tips while waiting for the next set of waves. Thus you can directly put your new Spanish skills to practice. What better and more relaxed way of learning Spanish than doing so while surfing?

Spanish Lessons
For the Spanish lessons we work together with Manuel, a local spanish teacher with a lot of experience. In 1-hour lessons in small groups he will help build your confidence speaking and understanding Spanish, so that in no-time you will be able to chat with the locals, be it in the line-up or at the bar. The first Spanish lesson your current level will be assessed and based on that the focus for the rest of the course will be determined. At the end of every class you will receive some homework to continue learning in between classes at your own pace.