surfing nz

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What People Say

Hi guys we had the most brilliant trip with you and shipwreck bay was just beautiful and the surfing was amazing! We would definately recommend your tours to anyone.
:) It is amazing experience! I really love surfing! Thank you guys - It is the best day I have had in New Zealand, Ill never forget the feeling of surfing and the beautiful beach
Thank u so much for ta last 5 days at ahipara guys it was definitely the most awesome time i had in nz so far! I hopefully will cu again soon!
Had a great time on 5 - day trip, the only thing I would do differently next time is stay for 12 day.

Articles

Tips to Standing Up on Your Surfboard

Date Posted: 2010-02-08 18:47:23

Angie Koopes, Mountain Dew Ambassador, and currently placed 3rd Open Women’s New Zealand Nationals in 2009, shares her tips for beginners learning to stand up on a surfboard.

So,maybe you have given surfing a bit of a go, but you just can't master how to go from laying on you board to standing up, catching a wave.... here's a few tip from Angie Koopes that might get you up and on a wave.

How To Stand up on a surfboard

Choosing the right board to start out on is really important – ideally a foam board with rubber fins and thick rails so it is safe as possible and the most stable. Practise standing up on the beach first. Its good to draw a surfboard shape into the sand and put the stringer line down the middle of the board.

Practise positioning yourself lying on the surfboard and paddling hard (remember you have to get to the same speed as the moving wave) so practise paddling hard and fast even on the beach.

In a smooth action with hands by chest push into a push up position while bringing front foot up under chest basically in line where hands have just now left the board.

Make sure feet are positioned wider than your shoulders creating a strong stable position. Keep a low centre of gravity by bending the knees. Try to always stand with feet positioned over top of the stringer line. This will keep the board stable when surfing.

Make sure to not drag any body part over board while standing up as this will knock the board and cause it to be unstable when you are out surfing. (catch a rail)

Now its time to transfer the drills you have been doing out in the surf...

Good luck... Angie xx