LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

WHERE YOU LOOK IS WHERE YOU GO
Have you ever wondered why, when you're on a wave and you see someone paddling out, you look right at them and think "I have to avoid this person," and all of a sudden they become a magnet and you head directly at them?

Or when you're trying to get your feet in the right position when first standing up, you look down at your feet on the board and by the time you look up to ride the wave you've over-balanced and fallen headfirst into the water?

This is because you and your surfboard will go where you look. It's so simple, but it's where many people go wrong. So next time you go surfing, try these tips and see if your surfing improves.:

1. When you're standing up look ahead - don't ever look at your feet! Feel where they are and move them if you have to
2. If you're trying to ride the wave as far as possible, look ahead to the beach
3. If you want to ride across the face of the wave, look in that direction about 3m ahead of yourself and keep going
4. If you want to initiate a turn, look where you want to turn first, then turn your head, then shoulders, then hips… and the board should follow (knees bent, of course!)
5. If you see someone paddling out don't look at them. Look to where you want to surf to
6. Have fun, and don't look back! !

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