DON’T MISS OUT: THIS SUMMER, I’M STARTING TO SURF!

Discover surfing the easy way.

Do you watch surfers from the beach with admiration? Have you been telling yourself for years that this sport is for other people? What if this summer was finally the one where you caught your first wave?

Good news: contrary to popular belief, surfing is not a sport reserved for experts. With the right guidance, the right board and waves suited to your level, learning to surf is no more complicated than learning to ski, snowboard or paddle. Really.

The hardest part is not surfing itself. It is often starting out in conditions that are not made for beginners. By choosing the right spot, the right gear and the right timing, those first gliding sensations come much faster than you might think.

Why is surfing more accessible than people think?

Surfing is above all about fun and progression. From your very first sessions, you discover the unique feeling of letting the wave carry you, gradually understanding where to position yourself and how to read this ever-moving environment.

Surfing offers many benefits:

Great accessibility. Anyone can get started with suitable gear.
A complete activity that works the whole body.
A special connection with the ocean and its environment.
A sport that evolves throughout your life, from beginner to expert.

Contrary to popular belief, the goal of your first surfing sessions is not to stand up on as many waves as possible, but to learn how to paddle efficiently, position yourself correctly in relation to the wave and read the ocean. The take-off on a wave is simply the result of that learning process. Every wave is a new experience, and every session brings progress.

Surfer: Evelin, GONG team rider, on a GONG longboard.

How to get started the right way?

For your first sessions, go for:

A surf school or guidance from an experienced surfer.
A beach with gentle, low-powered waves.
Little to no wind, ideally offshore.
A tide suited to the spot.
Short sessions to keep your energy and focus.
When possible, a spot with few people in the water.

The goal is not to surf the biggest waves, but the easiest ones.

Whitewater often provides the best conditions to learn how to stand up and experience your first gliding sensations. With experience, you will learn to position yourself closer to the breaking point to surf a proper peeling wave (what we call a left or a right depending on the direction it breaks in relation to the beach).

The real secret to progression? Stack up sessions in easy conditions.

Surfer: Servane on a Gumball PU 7'0.

What gear should you choose to start?

Your choice of board plays a huge role in the success of your first sessions.

To get started, prioritize:

A long board.
Generous volume.
Excellent stability.
A strong and forgiving construction.

Contrary to what you often see on beaches, starting straight away on a small board is a bad idea. It is tempting, but you cannot skip steps in surfing.

The more stable and buoyant the board, the easier it is to catch waves, work on your balance and progress quickly.

Today, foam boards are no longer the only excellent option for beginners. New-generation inflatable boards also offer outstanding stability, great safety thanks to their soft construction, and remarkable ease of use. Easy to transport and store, they let you discover surfing in small waves with total peace of mind.

The most important thing is still to choose a board suited to your build and the conditions. That is what will make all the difference during your first sessions.

Surfer: Moritz, GONG team rider, on an Acidolly EPS.

Choose the right equipment to nail your first waves

To start with confidence, you need a coherent setup:

A board suited to your build.
A quality leash.
A wetsuit suited to the water temperature.
Wax if needed depending on the board construction.

Choosing the right board lets you catch more waves from your very first sessions. And the more waves you catch, the more you progress.

Surfer: Evelin, GONG team rider, on a Gumball Pure Origin.

Why choose a beginner board?

Because it offers:

More stability.
More float.
Easier take-offs.
Faster progression.
More fun from the very first sessions.

The world's best surfers still use bigger boards when the conditions call for it. A big board is not necessarily a "beginner board": it is simply the right board for the conditions of the day.

Have you already started on a foamie and want to move on to a classic fiberglass board? Here is our advice.

Surfer: Moritz, GONG team rider, on an Acidolly EPS.

Why not choose an inflatable board?

Inflatable surfboards are becoming increasingly popular with beginners and families.

They offer many advantages:

Easy paddling.
A reassuring construction you do not worry about knocking around.
Easy transport in a car trunk.
Compact storage.
Excellent durability.

Paired with gentle waves, inflatable boards let you learn the basics of surfing with confidence while quickly enjoying those first gliding sensations.

How do you choose your inflatable surfboard? Follow our advice.

Good beginner habits

A few simple tips can speed up your progress:

Choose waves suited to your level.
Look where you want to go, not at your feet.
Paddle with commitment until the board starts planing.
Only stand up once the board has caught the wave.
Take your time, analyze your mistakes and ask for advice.
Respect other surfers and the right-of-way rules.
Observe the conditions before getting in the water.

And above all: accept falling. Every fall is part of the learning process, and every wave you catch brings you closer to the next one.

Surfer: Evelin, GONG team rider, on a Ten Blues 9'2 EPS.

The best time to start? Now.

Surfing is one of the most beautiful ways to discover the ocean. Accessible when practiced in the right conditions, it quickly delivers unique sensations of freedom and glide.

This summer, dare to take the leap. Choose the right board, get a few tips from an instructor or an experienced surfer... and discover why so many riders become hooked from their very first waves.