Surfing is no doubt an exciting sport (and yes that’s coming from a surfer 😉). But, it isn’t just us surfers who think so, the trend in the sport has been on a continuous climb. And, maybe that’s due to the fact that Surfing has many benefits. Firstly, it is relatively affordable, it’s fun to learn, it’s fantastic exercise for your entire body as well as probably the most attractive part of surfing which is being connected to nature, the ocean & its addictive wave riding. One of the best things about surfing is that you can learn to surf at any age. Surfing is all about YOU, your surfboard and the waves. So, welcome to our “Surfing In Thailand For Beginners – A Beginner’s Surf Guide”. If you are ready to learn how to surf in Thailand, then you’ll find here all the information you will need such as:
🌊 What a beginner needs to know about surfing?
🌊 How old must you be to learn to surf?
🌊 Is Thailand good for beginner’s to learn to surf?
🌊 Where & how can I learn to surf in Thailand?
🌊 Which are the best surf spots in Thailand for beginners?
🌊 Do I need to know how to swim before I can surf?
Before you decide to start learning to surf and embark on this memorable journey, you must mentally be prepared for this: surfing can be one of the most challenging sports in the world. Think about it. No two waves are the same, so your playground is constantly changing. The wind, the tide, the swell, they all change minute by minute, and they all affect the waves; even a predictable wave will be slightly different each and every time you surf. Yes, the start of your surfing journey will take some effort but with every paddle and every attempt of catching a wave will leave you smiling from ear to ear as you enjoy the learning process. But there’s no better feeling than catching that first ‘green wave’, you’ll always remember the first one and then you’ll never get enough. As a beginner, before you head to catch a wave, make sure to also check out our 1st Time Surfer’s Checklist.
Knowing the learning curve helps you prepare your attitude and expectations towards your surfing. In surfing, you will inevitably wipe out but that’s part of the fun. Here are a few things every beginner should study and know about before learning to surf:
If you are a first-time surfer, Talay Surf School offers a uniquely individual approach with an emphasis on individualism and consistency. Whether you or anyone you know is looking for a surf lesson, then make sure to check out our surf getaways in Thailand which is tailored for beginners to enjoy a holiday in Phuket and learn to surf at the same time.
Like most sports, starting earlier in life can lead to quicker progression. Most professional surfers began to surf regularly at a very young age. By starting to surf as a small child you develop the techniques and body movements required to improve your maneuvers, alongside gaining a greater understanding of how waves perform in a range of conditions.
Children from 3 or 4 years old can already begin their first steps in surfing, having their first experiences with small waves. This takes place in a very controlled environment in the hands of instructors or parents who take into account the reactions of the child, their needs, and their learning capacity. Starting at a young age is a wonderful way to improve their confidence and skills in dealing with the waves as well as the changing beach conditions.
For a child to be happy surfing, they really have to be happy in the water, happy being in the waves. Any signs of hesitancy or fear should be acknowledged and you should never force a child to enter the sea or learn to surf. It’s important to gradually get them used to the ocean & the waves and always keep it fun. Unlike most sports children try at school or at local clubs, you should always treat the ocean with the utmost respect. After all, it is much bigger than we are.
Don’t worry surfing is not just for the youngsters as It’s never too late to learn surfing. Whether you are in your 50s, 60s, 70s or even 80s, there is no such thing as too old to surf.
Surfing in Thailand wasn’t popular until just recently. Thailand has slowly gained popularity in recent years to become a fantastic location for beginners as well as any surfer to hit the water and catch some waves. Being less well-known as a surf destination also means there are fewer people so the waves are a little less crowded. Which is one of the reasons why learning to surf in Thailand is a great opportunity for newbies.
Earlier, Thailand’s beaches were known for picnics & sunsets but not their waves. You can understand why – islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan on the Gulf of Thailand have consistently calm waters that are ideal for swimming & diving. But, if you were to move to the other side along the west coast facing the Andaman Sea, it’s a different story. The Andaman coast is protected to some extent by the Nicobar islands to the west and Sumatra down to the south but the swell is still strong enough to produce some decent surf, especially for the beginner.
A key thing to keep in mind is that when you first attempt surfing, your wave count might not be that high and that is OK, it’s normal. Don’t be discouraged.
Don’t try to run before you can walk, and when it comes to surfing, that means stay in the white water. Stay there until you have your pop-up nailed and you’re confident in your stance. Once you have that under your belt, you can start catching some small green wave reforms in the shorebreak, or if the swell is small enough, out the back. As you get more competent, learn to surf across the waves using your rails. It’s important to look where you want to go, like riding a bike, keep looking down and you’ll end up falling off.
Surfing is more than just hopping on a board, you’ll need to eventually learn how to read a surf forecast to know when and where the best places are to surf for a beginner. Being able to predict the best time and place for you to surf will give you more time out on the waves.. Once you’re at this stage you can paddle out and catch some slightly bigger green waves, be sure to catch them early so they’re not too steep. As you learn, your fitness will improve and you’ll catch more waves. Don’t give up, this is where the fun starts!
As with most things in life, the best way to learn something is to be taught by someone who’s good at it. The best way to learn to surf is with an experienced instructor, someone who can tell you where you’re going wrong, tell you what you’re doing right and what you need to do to improve. A surf school will often have several instructors, many will have different languages should you need them. A good surf school will have a selection of boards to choose from and advise you on which best suits you. One such school here on Phuket is Talay surf school on Bang Tao beach. With 20 years experience, they’ll get you popping up and surfing before you know it, whether you’re an absolute beginner or you just need some pointers on improving.
A good beginner surfboard is a board that helps you to catch a ton of waves, and is easy to stand up on, so that you can get plenty of pop-up practice done every time you surf. And the main components that go into the makings of a good beginner board with all of these attributes are volume, length & width. Volume is the single most important factor when considering buying any beginner surfboard. Not only will it make the board more stable, the buoyancy will actually help you to paddle faster – and more effectively – to help you catch more waves. The length & width of the board is another key factor in choosing the right surfboard for you. Longer, wider boards have more surface area, making them easier to stand up on than those that don’t.
When learning how to surf, it is important to first understand that you want to start riding on a board that is known as a ‘funshape’ or a ‘longboard’, preferably one that is around 8-9ft in length, as these are the best beginner surfboards that offer stability with an easy paddle. Because fun shapes and longboards are nice and long, this means that the surfboard has more surface area and more foam. More foam increases the volume, the thickness, and usually the width of the surfboard (these measurements are known as dimensions) which all promote the overall stability in the water. Stability is essential as you learn the mechanics of paddling, and this increased buoyancy will help you to catch and stand up on your first waves.
Shorter surfboards, categorised as ‘shortboards’ and that are smaller than 7 feet, are the kind of board that you want to work up to with experience. These surfboards are much smaller, which makes paddling, catching, and surfing waves slightly more difficult; but once you get the hang of them, this allows you to perform the radical maneuvers you have probably seen in surf films or when watching talented surfers from the beach.
While Thailand may not be a location to visit solely for its surfing opportunities, it’s a beautiful location to check out surfing, especially for beginners. The sport has gained popularity in the country over the last few years, and with international surfing competitions being held there, it’s gaining international recognition as an upcoming surfer’s hub. Why not give it a try? If you are interested in your first surfing experience, then make sure to give us a call or send us an email.
