The Easy Way In

Lesson 8 – 15 minutes

If you are not confident coaching the skills in this lesson, bring in a surf sports athlete or coach to help deliver the lesson.
Discuss the surf conditions and safety considerations before entering the water.

CATCHING A WAVE

Look behind to watch for waves.
Increase your speed as wave approaches.
When on the wave paddle for at least two more strokes.
Grab hold of the back handle and slide your body back enough to prevent nose diving.
Keep feet apart for balance.

Draw the shape of a board in the sand or lay a board on the sand (digging a hole where the fin is so the board lies flat).
Demonstrate to the participants the correct body technique for catching a wave while talking them through the steps.

Position the participants in a semi-circle and ask them to draw the shape of a board in the sand each with a board or lay a board on the sand (digging a hole where the fin is so the board lies flat).
Ask participants to position themselves on their board as if they were paddling.
Talk the participants through catching a wave and ask them to demonstrate what they should do.
Tell them that a wave is approaching (they need to paddle faster).
Tell them that they are on the wave (they take 2 more strokes and then pretend to grab the back handles while sliding their body back on the board keeping their feet apart).
Walk around the semi-circle and check to see all participants are in the correct position, making adjustments as necessary.

Line up the participants on the water’s edge and demonstrate how to catch a wave.

Have participants practice their skills in small waves in an area close to shore and marked out by Water Safety Personnel.

Finish the lesson by playing games such as ‘party waves’ where everyone tries to catch the same wave.
Mix this up by seeing who can make it furthest to shore on a wave.