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Testimonials

  • As I left Lobitos this time, it was with a quiet but irrepressible sense of joy and satisfaction, knowing that Henry will continue to fuel this creative cycle, amplifying and sharing the story of his town and WAVES—the organization that has brought so many good people there to teach and to learn. - Forest Woodward -
  • "I walk away with from this feeling like so much has happened, so much was achieved and there are so many stories to tell and a lot of great experiences to share" - Raffael Schmidt
  • "I just want to thanks all the WAVES staff for the 2 weeks that I spent in this very special place that I will visit again and again, for sure." - Caio
  • This is a great stop-off for people spending an extended time in South America. - Marieke
  • It's a great atmosphere for teamwork and cooperation. - Jeremy Koons

How to Surf

Thanks for stopping by. This is not a comprehensive list. Nor in anyway a replacement for getting out there yourself and putting time in. However, if you’re just learning how to surf, here are some things to think about.

Surfing Environments

Traditionally when we think about surfing, the ocean comes to mind. However, surfing is now taking place in rivers, in lakes (in the wake of boats), as well as man-made wave pools. Whatever the environment, know your limits and ask others about the conditions. These tips are focused on the ocean environment. The environment you are going into is going to affect the next item to consider in learning how to surf:

Equipment

The bigger the board the more stable it’s going to be. Typically that means it’s going to be easier to catch the wave. The smaller the board, the more maneuverable it’s going to be. This means it will be easier to control the board to do tricks and turns. A soft top board is a good place to begin surfing at it’s just that – softer than the fiberglass boards which can be dangerous when flying toward you.

Goofy vs. Regular

Goofy means right foot forward. Regular means left foot forward. A way to determine whether you’re goofy or regular is to pretend you’re going to run and slide across a frozen puddle… which foot would feel the most comfortable in front? The leash or leg rope goes on the back foot.

Etiquette

The ocean is for everyone. It’s a playground. Show respect when in the playground. Someone already standing on the wave has the right of way. It’s your responsibility to get out of the way. You should be in control of your board at all times. If someone is surfing toward you, choose to paddle toward the whitewash, instead of in front of the surfer on the wave. Look for signs at your local beach outlining etiquette. Want to learn to surf abroad and get to know the community on a more in-depth level? Check out one of our Surf Trips.