The Most Common Surfing Mistakes and How to Correct Them

23 August 2025

Riding a wave feels like dancing with the ocean—pure magic. But let’s be honest, surfing isn’t just sunshine and salty hair. It's full of faceplants, wipeouts, and moments where you question your life's choices. We've all been there. Whether you’re a beginner still figuring out where to stand or a wave-hungry intermediate paddling like a turtle on espresso, mistakes are part of the ride.

The cool part? Every mistake is a lesson in disguise. So, wax up your board, slap on some zinc, and let’s dive into the most common surfing slip-ups—and how to ride right past them.

📍 1. Paddling Like You're in a Mud Fight

Let’s kick things off with something that seems basic but trips up almost everyone: paddling.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

Instead of smooth strokes, you’re thrashing like you're trying to escape a shark. Your arms ache, your board wobbles, and you’re getting nowhere fast.

✅ How to Fix It:

Think long, deep, and relaxed strokes. Push the water behind you, not down or to the side. Keep your elbows high and fingers slightly cupped. Your paddling should look more like a swimmer gliding through water, not someone trying to win a spaghetti-eating contest with their hands.

And posture? Keep your chest slightly raised, head up, and your body centered. Too far forward? Nosedive. Too far back? You’ll drag.

🌊 2. Popping Up Too Slowly (AKA The Sloth Syndrome)

You’ve spotted the wave, paddled your heart out, even caught it—and then bam, it's gone. Why? You hesitated. That split-second of doubt made all the difference.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You pop up too slowly or with the grace of a newborn deer. Your foot lands where your knee should be. It’s a wobbly mess, and down you go.

✅ How to Fix It:

Practice your pop-up on land—seriously. Muscle memory is your best friend here. Aim for a quick, fluid motion: hands under your chest, push up, feet in place. One swift motion, no hesitation. Like jumping out of bed when someone says, “Last piece of pizza!”

🏄‍♂️ 3. Wrong Stance, Wrong Dance

The wave is yours. You're upright. But wait... you look like you're bracing for a sprint or squatting for a heavy lift.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

Your stance is too wide, too narrow, too stiff, or too low. Your arms flap like you’re directing traffic. You lose balance, control, and cool points.

✅ How to Fix It:

Your back foot should be over or just in front of the tail pad. Front foot near the center of the board. Bend your knees, not your back. Stay loose—think of absorbing the wave’s energy like a shock absorber, not a wooden plank.

Arms? Keep them low and calm, ready to steer. Imagine dancing with the wave, not wrestling it.

🌬️ 4. Ignoring the Wave Forecast (AKA The "I’ll Just Wing It" Attitude)

We know the stoke is real. But charging into the ocean without knowing what you're up against is like going on a road trip with no GPS.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You paddle out and realize the swell is far too big—or worse, tiny and blown out. The current surprises you. The tide works against you. Frustration kicks in.

✅ How to Fix It:

Use surf forecasting apps/sites. Know your local break. Understand swell direction, period, wind, and tides. A little homework here makes a huge difference. You'll not only surf better waves, but you'll be safer and way less grumpy.

🧭 5. Poor Spot Selection

Not all waves are created equal, my friend.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You paddle out to a crowded lineup or a reef break that’s way above your skill level. You get snaked, yelled at, or just eat it over and over.

✅ How to Fix It:

Choose a beginner-friendly break when you're learning—soft rolling waves, sandy bottom, less crowd. Watch the lineup first. Where are people taking off? How are the waves breaking?

Find your spot, respect the pecking order, and you’ll ride more and stress less.

⛔ 6. Dropping In on Someone Else’s Wave

Ah, the unspoken rule of the sea—actually, it's very spoken: Don’t drop in.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You see a wave, you're stoked, you paddle... and you cut someone off who was already on it. Cue glares, maybe harsh words, and a lesson in surf etiquette.

✅ How to Fix It:

Only go if you’re closest to the peak. If someone’s already up, it’s their wave. Simple. Always glance inside before taking off. Respect earns respect.

Surfing’s like a dance floor. Don’t bust in on someone else’s groove.

💪 7. Not Surfing Enough

Here's the brutal truth: surfing once a month won’t cut it.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You forget your technique between sessions. Your arms tire quickly. Your confidence dips. You feel like a beginner every time.

✅ How to Fix It:

Surf as often as possible. Surf bad waves. Surf when it’s cold. Surf small days. It’s all practice. Consistency builds muscle memory, timing, and flow.

Even if you can’t hit the water daily, stay surf-fit. Swim, paddleboard, stretch, meditate—keep your head in the surf game.

🔄 8. Hesitating at the Takeoff

The wave is there. It’s yours. But you freeze.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You paddle, stand up halfway, second-guess yourself, then bail. Too late. It’s gone. You feel like a deer frozen in headlights.

✅ How to Fix It:

Trust yourself. Once you're committed to the wave, fully commit. Half-surfing is the fastest road to wipeout-ville. Practice timing. Watch the wave, feel its pull, and go when your gut says go.

It’s like jumping into cold water—if you think too long, you’ll talk yourself out of it.

🎯 9. Surfing the Shoulder (and Avoiding the Pocket)

This one’s for the intermediates who play it too safe.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You stay far from the breaking part of the wave, surfing only the shoulder. Smooth, maybe—but lacking power, speed, and style.

✅ How to Fix It:

The magic lives in the pocket—the steep, breaking part of the wave. That’s your engine room. Push closer, turn tighter, get more vertical.

Use the wave’s energy, don't run from it. Yes, it’s sketchy at first. But trust the process. That’s where your surfing goes from good to spicy.

🧠 10. Overthinking Everything

Sometimes, the biggest obstacle is between your ears.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You analyze each second too deeply. After every fall, you critique. You compare yourself to others. That inner critic? Loud and proud.

✅ How to Fix It:

Let go. Surfing isn’t meant to be perfect—it’s meant to be felt. Progress comes from freedom, not fear. Yes, reflect, but don’t obsess. Laugh off the wipeouts, celebrate small wins, and stay playful.

It's you, a board, and the ocean. Keep it soulful, not stressful.

🛟 Bonus: Not Understanding Ocean Safety

No one talks about this enough, but it can literally save your life.

❌ What Goes Wrong:

You paddle into a rip current, don't know how to duck dive properly, or can't read incoming sets. Panic sets in.

✅ How to Fix It:

Take the time to understand ocean dynamics. Know where rip currents form. Practice turtle rolls or duck dives. Watch the ocean—it speaks, and if you listen, you’ll learn loads.

Respect the sea. It's a beauty and a beast.

🧘 Final Thoughts: Surfing Is a Journey, Not a Sprint

Look, we’ve all nose-dived in ankle-deep water, paddled in circles, and taken waves to the head that felt like getting suplexed by Poseidon. Mistakes aren’t just part of surfing—they're the seasoning in this salty stew.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. It’s connection. It’s those few magic seconds standing on water, laughing like a lunatic because you freakin’ did it.

So the next time you fall? Smile. That’s your reminder that you’re alive, growing, and still chasing stoke.

See you in the lineup