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Introduction
The best waves for beginner surfers are small and gentle ones. For beginner surfers, the ideal waves begin with the forgiving whitewater, gradually transitioning to green waves of 1-3ft (up to 1 meter). This progression offers a safe and confidence-building journey from learning the basics to tackling more challenging conditions.
First, learn how to surf whitewater
As a beginner surfer, you’ll spend much of your time surfing whitewater, also called whitewash. The whitewater is the broken, foamy waves that wash towards shore after the initial break.
If you’re completely new to surfing, don’t go past the whitewater out to the lineup and try to catch unbroken waves- start by staying in the whitewater and learn how to surf whitewater first.
Why should I learn how to surf whitewater first?
There is plenty of whitewater, giving you more opportunities to practice
When you ride green waves (unbroken waves) as a beginner, the right wave conditions are important. That’s because you don’t want to risk surfing when the waves are too big. That limits the number of days in a year that are suitable for you to surf green waves as a beginner. Also, not all incoming green waves are good waves to surf, and some days you might sit out in the lineup for quite some time before a good wave comes.
With whitewater on the other hand, there is plenty of it, and the conditions don’t need to be great to surf whitewater waves unlike green waves. That means plenty of more opportunities to catch and ride waves when surfing whitewater. This translates to numerous repetitions of popping up and extensive time spent riding the board. In a two hour session riding whitewater waves I probably catch up to 30 waves, compared to maybe 2-10 waves when surfing green waves depending on the conditions.
You'll learn the basics you need to know in a safer environment
Learning how to surf whitewater provides a solid foundation for beginners. Whitewater waves are the best waves for beginner surfers, as they offer a safer and more controlled environment to practice essential skills such as paddling, popping up, and turning on the board. By starting to learn how to surf whitewater, you’ll build confidence and familiarity with the ocean dynamics before progressing to more challenging conditions.
Next, progress to small green waves of 1-3ft (up to 1 meter)
Once you’ve gained proficiency in surfing whitewater, it’s time to take the next step and transition to small green waves. The best waves for beginner surfers when it comes to green waves, are waves ranging from 1 to 3 feet in height (up to 1 meter). These waves offer an ideal learning environment for beginner surfers, providing enough energy to push you forward without being too overwhelming. Want to learn how to check if the waves are big or small before you go surfing? Then check out this lesson on reading surf forecasts for beginners.
Riding small green waves allows you to practice essential surfing techniques such as paddling, timing your takeoff, and riding the face of the wave. Start by selecting a spot with consistent breaks and gentle, sloping waves- I have listed some of the best spots in the world to learn surfing in this beginner surfing lesson. Remember to always prioritize safety and stay within your comfort zone as you continue to progress on your surfing journey.
Lesson quiz: test your knowledge
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