Are you struggling to fast forward the learning curve? Maybe you’re trying to get a handle on beginning to surf, or landing a new windsurf trick?

Here are some tips that could help you see things from a new perspective, keep you from feeling frustrated, and speed through as fast as possible!

1. Book a Lesson

Especially when you are starting a new sport, it’s easiest and fastest for your learning progress to book a lesson (or a few!). Instructors do a lot of beginner lessons on a daily basis and are good at it.

I’m an instructor and I can tell you – we try our best to keep it simple, telling you how to get dressed and how to be safe. I recommend not having a partner or family member as a teacher unless you both can keep it professional, as it might interfere with the natural balance of your relationship towards that person.

2. Marketing is Smarter Than Us

If you’re ever wondering how to set up your equipment and having a lost moment – if you can read the brand or writing while you are doing the sport, it is most likely the right way around. If the writing is upside down, so is your equipment!

3. Baby Steps

Learn the basics! Put the time in! With good basics, it will be easier to progress faster and not get stuck on a certain trick. If you can’t do a lap on a wakeboard, maybe don’t try to learn a 360 next.

4. Ask Different People for Help

Sometimes you can get stuck on the same trick, even for a year or more. We have all been there. It can be frustrating.

Get different people to tell you how to do the trick. Even the same movement will be experienced differently in everyone’s bodies and one person might just have the right words just for you.

Even though it will be the same content, some wording will work better for you than for others. It will also be a great way of making friends because most people are stoked to share their passion and help you out.

5. Comparison is the Thief Of Joy

We are all on our own journey. Do not make the mistake of comparing yourself to others. First of all, most people are good at their sport because they put the time in. You didn’t see how many times they crashed on that one trick. Also some tricks will feel more natural to you than others. Remember if you are having fun, you are doing it right!

6. Worry Less

You will not embarrass yourself by falling. Falling is an important way to progress. It is basically learning what doesn’t work. We instructors have seen pretty much anything, from non-swimmers, to people losing their pants, to people putting on helmets backwards, to wetsuits inside out or back to front, to people who can’t carry their equipment. We happily help you out, and we see it every day, so don’t be embarrassed. We spend more time learning your name, thinking about lunch or being jealous of the great conditions you get to enjoy than actually judging anyone.

6. Persistence

Try a lot, keep going, never give up. You might fall 300 times, but the one time that you land your trick you will be so stoked, it will all be worth it. I promise you that if you keep going, you will learn it.

Talent is awesome, but I have a lot of respect for people who are willing to put the hard work in.

8. Back it up

If you land your trick three times in a row, that means you can actually do it.
Do your trick on a different obstacle and in different conditions to get better. Make it more stylish by adding a grab or going bigger, or just try it with the other foot forward.

Interested in reading more real-life advice from our Ambassadors? Read our other Special Features here!