A beginner's guide to surfing
Learn the basics of surfing.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Riding the waves, from beginning to end, now that's extremely cool. And it's actually not all that difficult. Anyone who is a strong swimmer can learn the basics of surfing, but you should engage a surfing instructor to help. And that's just what our reporter Simone is planning to do today.
SIMONE: "I think I'll have to go have a word with those lads and ask them to teach me how to do that. Hello, I'm Simone, what are your names?"
NICO: "I'm Nico."
SIMONE: "And you?"
CHRISTOPH: "Christoph."
SIMONE: "Christoph. Do you think I can learn how to do that? Could you teach me?"
CHRISTOPH: "The first thing you need is a neoprene suit."
SIMONE: "Yes, the water's going to be a bit chilly."
NARRATOR: Now all Simone needs is a surfboard that is right for her skill level. This is a shortboard, it is small and very maneuverable, the kind of board real professional surfers use. This beast is called a longboard, it is used especially for large waves, and, as you can see, is way too big for Simone. This Malibu funboard is the perfect board for a beginner. It's just right for Simone.
CHRISTOPH: "Safety is clearly the most important thing when surfing. So before we get in the water we take all necessary safety precautions. If you fall off the board put your left hand on the back of your neck and your right hand over your head. Very good. The next thing is gripping the surfboard correctly. When you run into the water always keep the board next to your body, never across it, if you do that it's going to hurt if you get hit by a wave. This is the top of the board, and as you can see it has a coat of wax on it. This stops you slipping off. The underside: This is called the fin and it is there to make it so the surfer can steer the board. And here on the back we have the leash, you attach it to your ankle so the board doesn't float away when you're in the water."
SIMONE: "Christoph, these three are still pretty young. What is the best age to start surfing?"
CHRISTOPH: "Probably between six and eight."
CHRISTOPH: "Now we'll practice standing up on the board, we call this the take-off. Show Simone how it's done. Exactly, you paddle a bit and then jump up. Very good."
SIMONE: "Now me?"
CHRISTOPH: "Now you."
SIMONE: "Time to get on the board and boom. We'll see if I manage so well once I'm in the water."
NARRATOR: In order to paddle out into the water while on the board you have to arch your back a bit. When waves break in front of surfers they dive under them with the board. That is called duck diving. Then you paddle out of it and get ready for take-off. Beginners aren't yet ready to tackle the big waves. Simone and her training partner surf on the foam, or white water, that is left from waves that have already broken. Even though these waves are small she sure looks like she's enjoying it.
SIMONE: "I think I'll have to go have a word with those lads and ask them to teach me how to do that. Hello, I'm Simone, what are your names?"
NICO: "I'm Nico."
SIMONE: "And you?"
CHRISTOPH: "Christoph."
SIMONE: "Christoph. Do you think I can learn how to do that? Could you teach me?"
CHRISTOPH: "The first thing you need is a neoprene suit."
SIMONE: "Yes, the water's going to be a bit chilly."
NARRATOR: Now all Simone needs is a surfboard that is right for her skill level. This is a shortboard, it is small and very maneuverable, the kind of board real professional surfers use. This beast is called a longboard, it is used especially for large waves, and, as you can see, is way too big for Simone. This Malibu funboard is the perfect board for a beginner. It's just right for Simone.
CHRISTOPH: "Safety is clearly the most important thing when surfing. So before we get in the water we take all necessary safety precautions. If you fall off the board put your left hand on the back of your neck and your right hand over your head. Very good. The next thing is gripping the surfboard correctly. When you run into the water always keep the board next to your body, never across it, if you do that it's going to hurt if you get hit by a wave. This is the top of the board, and as you can see it has a coat of wax on it. This stops you slipping off. The underside: This is called the fin and it is there to make it so the surfer can steer the board. And here on the back we have the leash, you attach it to your ankle so the board doesn't float away when you're in the water."
SIMONE: "Christoph, these three are still pretty young. What is the best age to start surfing?"
CHRISTOPH: "Probably between six and eight."
CHRISTOPH: "Now we'll practice standing up on the board, we call this the take-off. Show Simone how it's done. Exactly, you paddle a bit and then jump up. Very good."
SIMONE: "Now me?"
CHRISTOPH: "Now you."
SIMONE: "Time to get on the board and boom. We'll see if I manage so well once I'm in the water."
NARRATOR: In order to paddle out into the water while on the board you have to arch your back a bit. When waves break in front of surfers they dive under them with the board. That is called duck diving. Then you paddle out of it and get ready for take-off. Beginners aren't yet ready to tackle the big waves. Simone and her training partner surf on the foam, or white water, that is left from waves that have already broken. Even though these waves are small she sure looks like she's enjoying it.