Surfing for Kids
Teaching adults how to surf is difficult but teaching kids to surf can be downright tricky. Every parent typically wants their kid to excel in whatever they do and learning the surf is no different. If you want your child to love the ocean and surfing, it's important to give them a positive experience from the start. There are three things to remember when giving kids surf lessons.
Be patient
Teaching kids to surf is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Watching the smile on their face as they ride the very first wave can be as good as riding it yourself. However be aware that kids will make mistakes and they probably won't go pro after their first surf lesson. Surfing is a lifelong journey and requires many years to become skilled. It's important to be patient while teaching kids to surf.
Some kids do not have their motor skills developed and their coordination is not good. Some kids have extreme growth spurts and have not adjusted to their body type and that makes the balance awkward. Some have not grown up in an area where there are oceans and are not comfortable with breaking waves. Make sure to keep all this in mind when teaching your kids to surf.
If they have a bad wipeout or swallow water, give them time to calm down before encouraging them to paddle out again. Offer them patience and understanding and you take the pressure off of them to perform which makes for a better experience.
Choose the right spot, waves and equipment
You can discourage a kid from surfing if you take them out on a really big wave day and they get wiped out by a scary wave. Carefully picked the right spot for the first time. She was a sandy beach where the wave breaks slowly and offers a nice ride close to the shoreline. If it has a rocky bottom make sure they wear refused to protect their feet.
Choosing the right wave is crucial to surfing success. Start off with very tiny waves that offer little push and let them get comfortable standing on the board. After a few successful ones you'll be surprised as they are begging for a bigger wave. Make sure they believe they are in control of the waves they want to ride. If they feel it's too big don't push them. Build trust and they will feel more comfortable and safe.
Choosing the right board is very important from a safety standpoint. Don't put your child on old 50-pound surfboard that will drag them through the water when they wipe out. Soft-top surfboards are great options for kids learning. They are light, stable and easy to paddle, which will build confidence.
Let them make mistakes
Just like life, surfing is all about making mistakes and learning from them. Just be there to provide helpful feedback for them afterwards. Being overly critical with every little detail can turn a kid off. Surfing is meant to be fun to take it easy and don't get upset if they don't get the hang of it right away.