How to Break Through Intermediate Level to Become a Better Surfer

It’s very exciting when you master the basics of surfing and you can take yourself out on the water, enjoy some waves, and come back safely knowing that you’re doing things right, getting the basic skills right, and so on. After some time, your beginner skills become a nice steady intermediate level where you can begin to find the best softboards in Australia and really explore what the world of surfing is all about.

Suddenly, however, you hit a wall. Your intermediate level you hope will evolve into something more advanced, but you’re finding yourself stuck at the same level not able to move up to the top-tier game. This is a common phenomenon across a huge range of disciplines, from sports to language learning and music. Here are some top tips to help intermediate surfers break through that annoying wall.

Tip 1: Experiment with Pop-up Methods

Some people get stuck at the intermediate level because they are taught one pop-up method but it doesn’t really work for them so well so they struggle to make it work and get so far with it but then hit a wall. There are other methods you can try --- using hips, the 1-2-3 pop up, going off the toes, etc. --- depending on your height and body shape. Do some research and find people online who are like you in height and shape and see how they do their pop up.

Tip 2: Become a Skilled Paddler

Surfing instructors tell learners about improving their paddling technique, but it often falls on deaf ears. When they get a basic sense of it, they stop learning, but proper paddle techniques will give you a better posture, and better balance with your board. If you study the pros, you can see the different techniques that they use in order to catch more waves and with a lot less effort overall. When the foundational skills are done like a pro, the others will start to follow. Leave the foundations sloppy, and the more advanced structure will never stand up!

Tip 3: Get Used to Starting at the Peak

When you were starting out as a surfer, you might not have taken off from the peak of a wave because you’re focusing more on gaining your balance and just getting some movement. If you want to move from intermediate level to the higher level, however, you need to know how to build up speed and ride a wave all the way down the line. That means taking off from the peak, so that should be a standard for you to follow every time once you’ve mastered the basics and are confident on the water.

Tip 4: Keep a Low Centre of Gravity

Have you ever seen a pro-level surfer out there on his/her board with straight legs waving at people? Their knees are always bent because that helps them to maintain a low centre of gravity, which in turn helps them keep balanced on their board when performing those tricky manoeuvres. If you’re struggling to keep your balance when you try the advanced moves, try first perfecting your stance.

Tip 5: Stick to the Face of the Wave

Lower level surfers tend to get from their launching point out onto the flats in front of the wave. It feels good at first, but you rapidly lose momentum when you’re out in front of the wave. If you want to surf more like a professional, then you need to try and cling to the face, popping up toward the peak and then back down the line. That’s how you keep a surf going.