How To Surf Small Waves | 5 Things You Need To Know

Your surfing performance can sky rocket by spending more time surfing small waves. Find out how, and exactly what you need to do to make the most of those below average, grovelly days.
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[@surfershaper]

Surfing is having fun, big or small surf! Even just paddling out is fun

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Agreed!

[@intheoutside123]

Great vid, thanks. Those waves look perfect for progression - if they were like that every time I went out I'd be a happy happy man!

[@TheSurfersJourney]

You and me both!

[@jetzevans7147]

These 'small waves' in the vid are for dutch surfers bigger than usual :D

[@middleagedshred]

Haha..I know what you mean man....i,m just over the pond in the UK

[@flex303]

Frking epic dutch day indeed. Line up overflowing with people

[@flex303]

The wheather isn’t that dissapointing either btw🤓

[@middleagedshred]

@@flex303 Yea we get full when its 2 foot mush especially if the suns out

[@codysaunders1205]

Hahaha I was thinking the same thing

[@death_knell]

Hey! Love this video! I have an idea for one: How To Pop Up Fast and In The Perfect Position 🌟

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks Angie, sounds great!

[@tatirobbins]

I’ve been watching your videos over and over again. My Mum said she’s gonna buy me a surf board for my birthday. I’m pumped! Thanks, your videos help way more than you know.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

That is awesome, happy to help! What board do you want? Thank you for your support and happy birthday in advance.

[@tatirobbins]

@@TheSurfersJourney I was thinking a wave storm 5’8 fish. I’m not that big. Any other recommendations for a beginner? Also thank you so much! :)

[@cherylmoller6248]

The wave selection point of view was so helpful! Cheers

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@keno1069]

Thanks for posting this! This video helped me so much! I watched it several times to fully understand.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks for watching :)

[@jaimedelcarpio9683]

Clear and concise ideas and explanations on Small Wave surfing.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks Jaime

[@belgiandip8682]

Dude, this is an awesome video PACKED with great info. Thank u!

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Stoked to hear that BD, thanks for your support!

[@lana6493]

This is an incredibly helpful video!

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks Lana!

[@e30user]

This is such a great video on selection, and determining direction.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Hope it helps!

[@Andreas.619]

Awesome video and pov!

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Glad you enjoyed it, more to come Adi!

[@metsafox2986]

Simple and well explained thanks man 🤙

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thank you Metsa!

[@pewpewpro3309]

Cheers for the US! Great content and the surfer view is magic. Just now finding it, but good on you for this approach 🤙🏼

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks Nathan, stoked that you are here!

[@Football-pm1bw]

This helped sooo much and know I am a fair bit better, obviously with practise I would get better but this helped be stay longer standing up on the board. Thank you so much for the tips 🙏

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Glad it helped, thank you for letting us know.

[@Football-pm1bw]

@@TheSurfersJourney Anytime sorry for the typos in the writing! 😄

[@rickavery1372]

Great video , any surf is good surf !!

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Always!

[@MrBlockHead]

Great vid. I loved the pov stuff with explanations! Can you do a vid where you go more in depth on getting past those white water sections to get back in the pocket? Like at 6:35?

[@middleagedshred]

I watched that part over a few times..great footage and voiceovers..well worth a few videos just on that

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks for the feedback, great suggestion also. I will make that happen :)

[@middleagedshred]

I like this style of breakdown alot..those waves are quite nice, tho not perfectly peeling do offer nice sections and probably would be considered one of the better north east UK days..can you do one on smaller mushyer waves.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Interesting. The conditions were beautiful that day...Good idea, I'll get into some mushier waves

[@jetzevans7147]

Great vid you deserve more subs

[@TheSurfersJourney]

I appreciate that, thank you. Please share with your friends!

[@ckim213]

Super helpful video. Especially cause of the GoPro footage

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeremygreer4039]

Another video request: How about positioning to catch shore breaks? It sucks chasing them all over the beach when they don't break in a consistent location.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Sounds good Jeremy, thanks

[@kaveenthilanka8142]

Thanks for this vidio

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks for watching, more like this coming up

[@Jbraj69]

Can you make a video on initiating maneuvers or carves on small waves for beginners. I can get up on a wave going down the line but I can’t maneuver/carve without messing my ride up.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Great idea, coming soon James. Thanks

[@Jbraj69]

@@TheSurfersJourney 🤙🏼

[@christiangrantmyre1805]

What board are you riding? Do you prefer long boards in smaller waves out do you prefer to ride a higher volume short board?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

I'm riding a 5'2 Seaside. In smaller waves I prefer higher volume fish / hybrid boards. Longboards certainly are a great choice also, it jus depends on how you want to surf

[@christiangrantmyre1805]

@@TheSurfersJourney Cool, agreed. Personally longboarding isn't my preference. On the mushy days ride a sharp eye Manta

[@corywilliford2711]

What is the most recommended cheaper beginner board

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Hey Cory, I would look at a foam board / soft board. There are a few decent sales around at the moment actually.

[@Stomperproductions]

Is there a downside to riding a seaside with too much volume? I feel like i have oversized mine by a few L....

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Potentially if you are looking at surfing it at a mid level to high level intermediate...If you are transitioning from your beginner board to this, I think extra volume is good. Why do you think it is oversized?

[@Stomperproductions]

@@TheSurfersJourney I'd say I'm somewhere in the intermediate spectrum. Have been surfing for a few years and go out everyday if the waves allow it. It feels oversized by the fact it sits really high and becomes quite skittish in faster waves. I have the 6' version which is almost 45L and has 3" thick rails, so it's a bit of a beast. My normal short board is about 39L (I'm 6'5, 210lbs). Also it feels like the buoyancy at the front is pushing me back off the wave unless I am suuuuuper nose heavy and then way off the tail where you want to be for turns. So it's a constant shuffle. The guy at the shop said he ended up trying 3 different times to get the right size (dropping down sizes) and finally got it. I may just need to adjust my surfing, but if dropping down a size helps then it's an easy solution....

[@gavindowney1512]

What board are you riding in this video?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

A Firewire Seaside

[@gavindowney1512]

@@TheSurfersJourney thanks happy surfing🤙

[@HowtoRip]

Next level!

[@mateoOC]

Hey loved the tips!! I’m starting to perform turns so will definitely try in my next sesh! But when you say you use a high volume fish in small waves, aren’t you surfing the seaside 5’2 which is 26L? Meaning the volume you usually ride regardless?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks Mateo, good luck with it. Let me know how you go...For the beginner to intermediate a higher volume Seaside could be a better choice. For more advanced surfers, a fish / hybrid with lower volume can still provide the benefits of a fish in small waves, but increased performance. Does that make sense?

[@mateoOC]

@@TheSurfersJourney riiiight makes sense! Also i found it curious, you know Gabriel Medina right? He’s 180cm and 77kg yet he rides a 28-29L boards across his range and he is a professional. Do you reckon there is a reason why he doesn’t surf a 26L for example considering his weight and ability? Yet so many intermediate surfers ride lower volumes for their weight?

[@kolasinksi23182]

is this your channel? and how to rip is you and Kale?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Yep that's it