Beginner Surf Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)

Let’s talk about beginner surf mistakes; I made quite a few of them during my first surf camp in Portugal.

I had waited for that moment for so long. Excited, optimistic, and quietly confident, I arrived at camp convinced that my general fitness would carry me through. Regular workouts, swimming sessions, and a solid “sporty” identity made me assume surfing would be challenging, yes, but manageable.

When we drove to the beach for the very first time, I wasn’t even worried about the waves. I was more concerned about the Portuguese driving style. The ocean didn’t intimidate me, the missing seat belt and the chaotic turn did.

What did surprise me was how quickly surfing humbled me, not dramatically, but in small, exhausting, slightly embarrassing ways.

Looking back, most of them were completely avoidable. So here’s what I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.

Beginner Surf Mistakes I Didn’t See Coming

Mistake #1: Thinking Being “Sporty” Is Enough

I genuinely believed that general fitness would carry me through. I work out regularly, I swim, I’m strong… how hard could it be?

Very.

Surfing is not just “being fit.” It’s specific, technical, and repetitive. And it uses muscles in ways you probably don’t train for unless you already surf.

Being athletic definitely helps, but it doesn’t replace preparation.

Mistake #2: Neglecting Shoulder Training

This is probably my biggest mistake. Before my first surf camp, I didn’t train specifically at all. I also tended to neglect my shoulders in my workouts because I didn’t see much “use” for them. I thought: “I’m a solid swimmer. I’ll be fine.” Reality check: Swimming helps. What I didn’t realize, though, paddling is different.

In the beginning, I used so much energy paddling and did it completely wrong. My technique was inefficient, my shoulders fatigued quickly, and I wasted strength before I even reached the lineup.

To this day, paddling is something I still have to work on.

If I could go back, I would:

• Train shoulder endurance
• Do more prone paddling drills
• Practice long, controlled strokes
• Strengthen upper back and rotator cuff

Surfing rewards endurance, not explosive gym reps.

Mistake #3: Underestimating the Paddle Out

Catching waves looks fun. Gliding with them feels amazing.

What surprised me most was how exhausting it is to get out through the whitewater. I quickly realized that fighting your way through whitewater is far more exhausting than riding waves toward the beach.

What I’d do differently now:
Carry the board over waves for as long as possible before starting to paddle. Conserve energy. Choose your entry timing. Don’t rush. Energy management is everything in surfing.

Mistake #4: The “Pooping Stance” (Mobility Matters More Than You Think)

Let’s talk about stance: that beginner position where your butt sticks out and you look like you’re about to sit down mid-wave. Yes — that one.

The pop-up itself wasn’t my problem. The stance was.

Turns out ankle stiffness is real. Hip stiffness is real. And if you’ve played a lot of soccer before, chances are you carry both.

My physio later confirmed that limited ankle and hip mobility is extremely common with a soccer background. Even now, I still have to compromise sometimes because my mobility improves slower than I’d like.

What surfing quickly revealed is that it’s not just about strength. It’s about mobility:

• Hip opening
• Ankle flexibility
• Rotational mobility
• Thoracic extension

If your body can’t comfortably bend and rotate, your stance will compensate — and that’s when the “pooping surfer” appears.

So if you’re starting surfing: don’t neglect ankle and hip mobility. It affects your stance, balance, and long-term progression far more than you think.

Mistake #5: Getting Sunscreen Completely Wrong

Get zinc. Immediately.

Regular sunscreen will not survive:

• Wipeouts
• Saltwater
• Constant face wiping
• Duck dives

And here’s the part nobody told me, apply zink to:

• The back of your feet
• Your hands
• Your ears

I skipped those. I have never had a more hilarious sunburn. As if that wasn’t enough, the sunburn I got in Sri Lanka nearly topped it. Turns out, when you swap a wetsuit for shorts, the backs of your legs are fully exposed. Who knew? Definitely not me.

Mistake #6: Not Respecting Recovery

I was smart enough not to book two sessions per day. High five to myself.

But I did learn something else:

Now I know that after three consecutive surf days, my body needs a break. I’d probably schedule a rest day after two days as a beginner.

Having said that, at my second surf camp in Morocco, I did not follow the advice I’m giving you now. Instead, I often went into the water twice. To make matters worse, the tide was even more challenging during the afternoon sessions.

Mistake #7: Thinking Lessons Are Optional

This is actually a mistake I didn’t make, but I saw it. Some beginners (often men, let’s be honest) skip lessons entirely. They grab a board and paddle out.

Every coach I’ve had says the same thing:
That’s the slowest way to learn.

Lessons help with:

• Positioning
• Timing
• Board choice
• Ocean awareness
• Safety

Investing in lessons early saves you months of frustration.

If you’re completely new to surfing, it’s also worth familiarizing yourself with basic surf safety rules before paddling out. The International Surfing Association provides beginner safety guidelines that cover lineup etiquette, positioning, and ocean awareness.

You can also read about my winter surf pool experience in Edinburgh; it’s a completely different but equally humbling environment.

What I’d Do Differently to Avoid These Beginner Surf Mistakes

Most beginner surf mistakes don’t happen because you’re incapable; they happen because you simply don’t know what to expect. If I could rewind to my first Portugal surf camp, I would:

• Train shoulders intentionally
• Practice paddling technique
• Prioritize ankle and hip mobility
• Buy zinc before arriving
• Plan rest days
• Fully embrace being a beginner

Surfing is not something you “crack” in a week. It’s something you slowly build a relationship with.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Be Perfect

If you’re about to book your first surf camp: You don’t need to be perfectly prepared.
But you can be smarter than I was. Surfing will humble you, in the best way. And that’s part of why it’s so addictive.

You’ll paddle wrong. You’ll stand wrong. You’ll wipe out dramatically. You’ll laugh. You’ll try again.
And eventually, you’ll glide. And that moment makes all the mistakes worth it.