How to Catch More Waves

Even after 30 years of surfing I don't claim to be an expert, my goal now is to share with you my experience in learning how to increase my wave count in hopes that you will catch more waves too, at your own surf break, of course not mine.

In my experience it really helps me to look at myself first, rather than blame my surfboard or the crowded surf conditions. I try to look at myself objectively as if I were someone else analyzing my surf style.

For sometime now I have realized that my primary goal is to catch a lot of waves. Even if I surf every day of a swell, the goal doesn't seem to change, I still set my sites on catching as many waves as possible. I have had other goals as a surfer such as catching the largest of the day or the best shaped wave, even the longest wave of the day. But still what it all comes down to for me is how many waves I can ride. Seldom do I let a wave pass because of shape or size. If I think I can catch the wave I will go for it.

Surfing in Florida for many years I quickly learned that surfboard selection can make or break your surf session. The varying surf, tidal and wind conditions can play havoc on the average surfers session. If you surf the same surf break most of the time you may know what surfboard allows you to catch as many waves as you want to. Then you probably have it pretty wired, but if you are not catching as many waves as you think you should, there could be a few fundamental reasons why.

Three real fundamental issues for me that effect my wave count are, how well my surfboard floats with me on it, the forward motion of the surfboard when I paddle to catch the wave and how fast I can stand up once the surfboard is engaged in the wave. Once you discover the right combination or surfboard and wave you will catch more waves.

Many beginning surfers give up surfing because they are not aware that trying a different surfboard with more flotation can make a lot of difference. Anticipation can also help to catch more waves. Sometimes if you can get one or two more seconds to paddle you can catch more waves. So I try to get turned around to catch the wave sooner. I also face side shore, If you look at surfers they generally are facing out to sea so they have to completely turn around to catch the wave.

Just a few subtle modifications to your wave catching method can bring you a bounty of waves.