CATCHING A WAVE

1. Try to pick a wave that's not too big and that has a clean face (just like the one above). If you're a beginner, you shouldn't be out on a big day anyway. You should try to catch it just before it breaks and turns to whitewater.

2. As the wave approaches, kick hard with your feet UNDERWATER! You can also help yourself catch the wave by pushing down on the nose of the board with one hand and paddling with the other. Once you've chosen to go right or left, it's time to get yourself in place on the board.

3. Let's say you've chosen to go right. First, you should have made sure there was no one on the wave behind you coming toward you. If so, kick out right away. This is covered in another tip about wave etiquette.

4. To go right, move your body to the inside (right) edge of the board and apply pressure with your right hip to the back edge. Slide your right hand to the top right corner with your right elbow planted firmly along the right edge of the board. Your left hand should be around 1/3 down the outside (left) edge of your board with your left arm slightly bent and the elbow in air. Your right hand and elbow are controlling your edge and keeping it in the wave and your left hand and arm are controlling your direction and turning ability. If you go left on the wave, just reverse all the body, hand and arm positions.
5. To gain speed, crucial for any maneuver, simply slide forward on the board, but not too far or you'll lose your hip pressure on that inside edge and slide into oblivion. Sliding forward for speed is called trimming.