Online Surf Lessons – Big Whiteboard Wednesday

A lot of surfers over the last few years, have asked us to put online some of the key information we covered during their lessons with us here in Nosara. So, being people who like to say yes to stuff, we obliged. In January 2010 we started putting out our weekly podcast, Big Whiteboard Wednesday. (The name incidentally is a little nod to both John Millius’s classic film and Rand Fishkin’s excellent SEO blog.)

Each week we’ll talk you through a different topic all of which will help you have more fun in the surf. Sometimes the podcast is more relevant to beginner surfers, other times it is aimed at level 3 or 4 surfers but we always try to hold true to the Innocent Surf School philosophy of being concise and unambiguous. There’s no room for ‘feel the rhythm of the ocean’ type waffle here.

Whether you use Big Whiteboard Wednesday as a reminder of what you’ve learned with us, an insight into our teaching style or just an excuse for not doing something more important, we hope you enjoy our innocent little online surf lessons.

A Very Handy Leading Arm

This week on Big Whiteboard Wednesday it’s all about what to do with your hands. Your trailing arm usually minds it’s own business and gets on with the job of surfing but your leading arm is like a naughty child and just won’t do what it’s told. Getting your leading arm in the right place will make you surf better (and looks so much more elegant). Interesting it is also the most common thing to be taught incorrectly. So here it is in all it’s glory the great mystery of the handy leading arm.

Trimming & Carving

This week on Big Whiteboard Wednesday we talking about the difference between ‘trimming’ and ‘carving.’ Usually we try to stay away from surf lingo but this is a really import idea to understand. If you’ve ever tried to do a turn and fallen off instead of turning then this is for you. Beginner of local ripper this ideas here are relevant to you.

Paddling into Unbroken Waves

This week on Big Whiteboard Wednesday we’re talking about paddling into unbroken waves. I’m really stoked with this eposide. I think it’s one of our best. The timing is going to be different on every wave but this episode will give you a clear idea about what you should be thinking about when making that transition from surfing in the white water to surfing out the back. It’s also really useful for surfers struggling to get their head around catching steeper waves.

Lifeguard Training For Surfers

Even if you never have any intention of becoming a lifeguard, doing the training is an important corner stone of becoming a good surfer. You learn about ocean safety and rescue both in and out of the water. It’ll raise your level or fitness and confidence as well as leaving you with a great set of life skills. It’s also a really fun week. We run lifeguard certification courses every November here in Nosara. Here’s what went down on the last one.

Angling Your Take Off

Once you’re starting to consistently catch unbroken waves, the next step is to surf across them. We do this (in the beginning) by angling our take off. Angle too much and you’ll come off the back of the wave. Angle too little and you’ll drop straight down the wave and end up back in the white water.

Tides: The Ups and Downs

This week we’re looking at how the surf conditions change as the tides move. We’re talking specifically about Playa Guiones here in Nosara but this beach is typical of a lot of beaches around the world in tersm of tidal movement so it makes a great example to understand tides across the world.

The Poo Stance

Silly name but serious point. Getting the position of your lower body right is probably the most important thing we teach to surfers of all levels. It’s also by the far the most common mistake made by experienced surfers. (Not to mention the fact that when you get it right you look a lot cooler too.)

Paddling to Spot X

Gary Elkerton said that “there are two kinds of surfers, the hunters and the hunted” and Spot X is what you should be hunting. It’s about learning to paddled to the wave rather than just taking waves which come to you. That means you’ll have a greater success rate when you try to catch waves and you’ll always have priority on a busy day. It takes awareness and agility in the water but it’s a skill you can and should practice right from the first day you paddle out the back.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on Big Whiteboard Wednesday plus any suggestions for topics you’d like to hear covered in upcoming episodes…