How to Wipe Out on a Surfboard

You're going to get a lot of practice doing this during the course of your surfing career, especially while you're learning, so you might as well get good at it.

Things You'll Need

  • Women's Athletic Swimsuits
  • Sunscreen
  • Adhesive Traction Pads
  • Board Shorts
  • Surf Leashes
  • Surf Waxes
  • Surfboard Bags
  • Surfboard Ding Repair Kits
  • Surfboards
  • Surfing Wet Suits
  • Wet Suits (if Needed)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Know the hazards of the spot you're surfing and avoid them.

    • 2

      When you fall off your board, try to fall "upstream," with the board between you and the shore.

    • 3

      Take a deep breath as you fall.

    • 4

      Tuck your chin down onto your chest so that your head won't catch on the bottom and hurt your neck if the wave rag-dolls your body.

    • 5

      Cover your head with your arms to protect it from your loose board and from rocks.

    • 6

      Watch out for the wave. If you fall in front of the wave and it's going to break on your head, try to penetrate into the water so that most of the wave's energy passes over you - unless there are rocks.

    • 7

      Wipe out with your eyes closed, but open them when the thrashing starts to calm down. Sometimes you'll need your eyesight to figure out which way is up.

    • 8

      Avoid wasting energy fighting the wave. When the wave starts to calm down, struggle up to air.

    • 9

      Quickly recover your board and paddle hard to get out of the impact zone.