How to improve your surfing skills quickly? Our straightforward advice

You caught a good wave, managed to stay upright for three seconds, and bam… you're hooked. It's official: you want to improve your surfing, and fast if possible. We get it. Surfing is exhilarating, but it's also a demanding, technical, sometimes frustrating sport… and incredibly addictive.

Want to avoid getting stuck in the same old whitewater for three summers? Want to enjoy every session even more? Then this article is for you. We're going to give you all our (practical and tried-and-tested) tips to progress quickly in surfing — whether you're still struggling with the take-off or you want to refine your maneuvers.

Spoiler alert: we're going to talk about practice, technique, mindset, equipment, but also lifestyle. Because yes, improving in surfing is a holistic process. Ready to rip? Let's go.

1. Practice often (and intelligently)

Regularity above all

Want to improve? Then you need to surf. Often. Nothing replaces time spent in the water. Ideally, aim for at least two sessions per week (even short ones), and more if you're lucky enough to live near the ocean.

But be careful, progressing quickly doesn't mean skipping steps. Just because you do three sessions a day doesn't mean you'll become Kelly Slater in two months. Three well-planned sessions are better than ten haphazard ones.

Surfing in conditions suited to your level

One of the biggest obstacles to progress is… bad conditions. If you find yourself in 1.5m hollow waves when you're still struggling to get past the break, you're mostly going to eat whitewater and lose confidence.

Look for spots suited to your level: small waves, long whitewater, easy take-off. The secret is to have fun while progressing. And don't forget: surfing is 90% observation and 10% action. So check the weather, the tides, the swell… and choose your moments.

2. Having the right equipment (and knowing how to use it)

Start with a stable board

It can't be said enough: stop trying to surf an ultra-thin shortboard right from the start. Want to progress? You need a stable board with volume: a foam board, a mini-malibu, or a longboard if you like a smooth ride.

With the right board, you'll catch more waves, get up more easily, and most importantly… have more fun. And fun is the driving force behind your progress.

To get off to a good start, you can consult an ultimate beginner's guide that explains step by step how to choose your board and catch your first waves on Surfer.com.

Knowing your equipment

Knowing what type of fins you have, how to position your leash, where to stand on your board: all of this is basic, but essential. The more you master your equipment, the more efficient you become.

A little bonus tip: take care of your board. Clean it, check for dings, change the wax… It may seem insignificant, but a well-prepared board means a good start to the session.

A useful resource to refine your choice is the article choosing the perfect intermediate board , which helps you adapt your quiver to your progression and the conditions.

3. Practice your take-off like a boss

The take-off is the basics

Without a good take-off, there's no surfing. It's THE maneuver to practice endlessly at the beginning. A good take-off is fluid, fast, and stable. So repeat it on dry land (on a mat or in the sand) until it becomes automatic.

Tip: Remember to look where you want to go, not at your board. And keep your knees well above the deck to avoid a Breton-style wipeout.

4. Understanding wave reading (the real kind)

Knowing where and when to go

You can have the best technique in the world, but if you don't know how to read a wave, you'll miss out on the potential of every session. Learn to observe: where the waves break, how they break, where the sets are…

Try to spot the currents, the rip currents, and anticipate the peaks. The better you get at reading waves, the better you'll choose the right ones. And guess what? That means more successful take-offs and more rides. QED.

5. Work on your rowing and endurance

The oar, the great forgotten

It's not said often enough: paddling is 70% of surfing. And yet, many beginner (and even experienced) surfers neglect this aspect. Working on your paddling technique means working on your endurance, your power, and your ability to position yourself in the right place at the right time.

A little routine to adopt: swimming in a pool, rowing on a board lying flat on your stomach, core exercises… It will make you gain fluidity and confidence.

6. Learn from others (and film yourself)

Take lessons (even after the beginner level)

A good instructor can help you progress 10 times faster than on your own. They will correct mistakes you don't see, explain how to improve your maneuvers, and help you reach new levels.

You're never "too advanced" to take a class. Even the pros have coaches.

Even after mastering the basics, consider advanced coaching to stay sharp in surfing : these tips on Surfer.com help you maintain a high level of performance.

Watch others and film yourself

Observe the good surfers at the spot. Watch how they position themselves, how they paddle, how they turn. And film yourself! There's nothing like a short post-session video to spot what's wrong (and what's awesome too).

7. Practice the maneuvers step by step

The basics to master

Before you try to do airs or barrels, work on your bottom turn, your cutback, and your reentry. Start with small, well-controlled turns. Progressing in surfing is like a video game: you don't go straight to level 10.

Every maneuver is a victory. And the more you master them, the more you can chain them together.

Vary the spots and the waves

Don't get used to just one spot. Try different types of waves, seabeds (sand, reef), and wind directions. That's how you become a well-rounded surfer and adapt your technique to all conditions.

8. Take care of your mind (and your ego)

Accepts the struggle

Progressing in surfing also means accepting that you'll fall, get wiped out, and not have successful sessions. Surfing is a sport of humility. Those who progress quickly are those who accept continuous learning, without giving up.

Avoid comparing yourself

Every surfer has their own pace. Avoid comparing yourself to others at the spot. You don't know how long they've been surfing, or their athletic background. Focus on your own enjoyment and progress. Period.

9. Have good general physical fitness

Even out of the water, that counts.

Yoga, stretching, light weight training, mobility: everything you do out of the water impacts your surfing. A flexible, strong, and enduring body allows you to paddle better, stand up better, and maneuver better.

Want a bonus? Breathing. Learn to breathe better (like the Wim Hof ​​Method, apnea, cardiac coherence) to gain serenity when things get rough.

To improve your flexibility, endurance and mental state, explore this yoga and health program for surfers designed by Rochelle Ballard.

10. Live surfing, breathe surfing

Find inspiration every day

Watch videos, read books, follow inspiring surfers. The more you immerse yourself in surf culture, the more you'll assimilate the gestures, postures, and techniques.

Some suggestions:

• Surf Simply 's tutorials (in English, but extremely educational)

• Apprenti Surfeur 's YouTube videos

• Inspiring surf trips by Nathan Florence or Ben Gravy

• The documentary The Yin & Yang of Gerry Lopez about the legends of zen surfing

Food & Recovery

Your body is your primary tool. Eat a balanced diet, stay well hydrated (especially after sessions), and get enough sleep. Surfing may seem cool and relaxing, but it's very physically demanding.

11. Organize surf camps or dedicated trips

There's nothing like a surf trip to make a big difference. You spend several days doing nothing but surfing, in a dedicated setting, with coaching, consistent waves… It's a dream.

And as a bonus: you meet other enthusiasts, you exchange ideas, you progress together. Whether in Portugal, Morocco, Sri Lanka or even Brittany, a good surf camp can change your surfing forever.

12. Enjoy the process

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice. Don't try to go too fast. Every session, even a bad one, teaches you something. Every fall brings you closer to the moment when you'll get back up like a pro.

Surfing is a way of life. The more you enjoy it, the more you progress. It's as simple as that.

In summary: the action plan to progress quickly in surfing 🏄♀️

✅ Surf often, in suitable conditions
✅ Have a stable board and well-adjusted equipment
✅ Work on your take-off and paddling
✅ Learn to read the waves
✅ Get coached or filmed
✅ Vary the spots and maneuvers
✅ Cultivate a good mindset and good physical fitness
✅ Breathe surfing every day
✅ Enjoy every step

And now? Into the water!

You now have all the tools you need to progress quickly (and well) in surfing. So stop scrolling, check the conditions, wax your board… and hit the water.

And remember: every wave is an opportunity. Even the whitewater has its magic. There are no bad surfers, just passionate people on their journey.

So, happy surfing, happy progress, and above all… have fun!

Article updated in August 2025