5 surf mistakes beginners make and how to fix them

When I first started surfing, I made almost every mistake in the book. As an instructor at She Surfs, I see the same errors repeated in every beginner class. The good news? Every mistake is part of the learning curve, and most of them are easy to correct once you understand what’s going wrong.

Here I’ll walk you through the 5 most common surf mistakes I see in new surfers and how to fix them. If you’re just starting your surf journey or you’re thinking about taking your first class, this article will save you time, energy and frustration.

Start your surf journey with guidance and care. Join our surf club and feel the ocean in a way that’s truly yours.

1. Looking down instead of forward

This is the number one mistake I see, and it’s completely natural. When you’re trying to balance, your instinct is to look at your feet. But in surf, where your eyes go, your body follows.

Fix it: Keep your eyes looking where you want to go — toward the beach or the direction of your ride. It feels weird at first, but the moment you do it, your body aligns and you gain balance instantly.

Want to test it in real waves? Book your beginner class at She Surfs today.

2. Pushing up with your knees

When popping up on the board, many beginners use their knees to get upright. This slows you down and throws off your center of gravity, making it harder to stand properly.

Fix it: Practice your pop-up on land until you can do it in one smooth motion using your arms and legs only. At She Surfs, we break this movement down step by step in our land drills before heading into the water.

We’ll teach you how to pop up with power and confidence. Check out our classes now.

3. Catching waves too late

Timing is everything in surf. Beginners often paddle too late and miss the wave, or they pop up too soon and get thrown off.

Fix it: Watch the wave approach. Start paddling early and give it strong, consistent strokes. At She Surfs, we explain how to read the wave line and feel the right moment to pop up.

4. Being too stiff on the board

Fear and tension make the body lock up, but surfing requires flow. Beginners who stay rigid lose their balance more easily.

Fix it: Bend your knees slightly, keep your arms relaxed, and breathe. Think of surfing like dancing with the ocean, not fighting it. In our lessons at She Surfs, we use body awareness techniques to help you loosen up and feel more natural on the board.

Learn to surf with flow, not fear. Reserve your spot with us.

5. Choosing the wrong board

A small board may look cool, but it’s much harder to balance and paddle. Many beginners struggle because they’re using the wrong equipment.

Fix it: Start with a soft, long board that gives you stability and surface. At She Surfs, we provide gear that’s suited to your level and size — so you can learn faster and safer.

Not sure which board is right for you? Let’s figure it out together.

Learning how to surf is one of the most rewarding journeys you can start. Mistakes are part of the process, but they don’t have to slow you down. At She Surfs, we help you understand the why behind each movement, so you can build confidence from day one.

Ready for waves and adventure? Join one of our curated surf trips and experience more than a holiday — discover the surf lifestyle at your rhythm.