Surfing and children: When and how to introduce young children to surfing?

Surfing is a complete physical and mental activity that allows children to develop their motor skills, improve their coordination, and gain a better understanding of the ocean. Beyond the sporting aspect, this discipline also teaches essential values such as perseverance, respect for the environment, and a sense of community. However, to ensure a successful and safe introduction to surfing for children, several technical aspects must be considered: the ideal age to start, the choice of equipment, appropriate teaching techniques, and raising awareness of safety rules.

At what age should you start surfing?

The recommended age to start surfing is around 5 years, At this age, children generally have well-developed motor skills and sufficient comfort in the water. However, they must be gradually introduced to the marine environment before being allowed to ride their first waves. bodyboard, there swimming and the games in the waves are excellent ways to prepare them for surfing.

For the youngest children, a playful approach in the form aquatic awakening It allows you to acquire the basics of balance and to understand the movements of water.

The technical basics of learning to surf

Good equipment is essential to ensure the safety and progress of young surfers.

• The board :
  • Foam board (softboard) : Offering great buoyancy, it facilitates learning and reduces the risk of injury.
  • Ideal size A plank between 6'0 and 8'0 (180 cm to 240 cm) is recommended to ensure good stability.
  • The leash Mandatory, it prevents the board from drifting and reduces the risk of accidents.
• The combination :
  • A combination in neoprene (2/2 mm in summer, 4/3 mm in winter) is recommended to ensure comfort and thermal protection.

Before venturing into the waves, certain basic concepts must be mastered:

• The warm-up Stretching and mobility exercises (head, shoulders, arms, legs) to avoid injuries, make games, the children will warm up without realizing it and will find it fun.
• Safety rules :
  • Learning to identify the currents and rip currents.
  • Never turn your back on the ocean.
  • Respect the priority rules between surfers to avoid collisions.

The first steps in the water

Children first need to understand how water affects their bodies and their boards. Simple exercises allow for this initial understanding:

• Lie down on the board to feel the movement of the waves.
• Working on static balance by remaining motionless on the board.

✅ Advice : If you choose to put your child on a board before the age of 5, start with them on a very large board. They will feel reassured, gain confidence, and be able to learn about the dangers and basic skills.

The take-off is a key step in learning to surf. Here's a simple three-step method:

1. Lying down position The child positions themselves centered on the board, with their feet at the back and their gaze forward.
2. Hands under shoulders He pushes up with his arms, as if doing a push-up.
3. Transition to standing position One foot is brought under the body, then the other, while keeping the knees bent for more stability.

✅ Trick It is advisable to repeat this movement on the sand before attempting it in the water.

• Look ahead and not his feet.
• Keep your knees bent to absorb the movements of the wave.
• Spread your arms slightly to stabilize its balance.

Progress safely

Children must move around on sandy-bottom beaches, with gentle, low-power waves. They start in knee-deep water with an adult assisting them by gently propelling them in the direction of the wave.

It is essential to teach children the basics of surfer's code of conduct :

• Priority is given to the surfer closest to the breaking wave..
• Don't burn a wave if another surfer is already on it.
• Always check both sides before rowing to avoid collisions.

We recommend that you seek guidance from certified instructors for a gradual and safe introduction. Surfing should remain a a fun and motivating experience, without pressure.

The educational and environmental benefits of surfing

Surfing teaches children perseverance, there discipline and the taste for effort. As the psychoanalyst and surfer explains Fernando de Amorim :

«"Surfing demands unwavering rigor and discipline. A surfer is someone who thinks! And thinking means dynamically combining mental resources such as reflection, memory, representation, and cognition."»

Surfing naturally raises awareness about ocean protection. Organizations like Surfrider Foundation They organize ecological initiatives to clean beaches and preserve marine ecosystems. Children and adults alike are invited to take part in these kinds of initiatives and to take responsibility. From their very first surfing lessons, children will understand the importance of the natural environment around them.

Young surfers go through different learning phases:

1. First foam : To let oneself be carried by a foam while standing on the board.
2. Bronze wave : Discover the first sensations of gliding on the shoulder of the wave.
3. Silver wave : Learning to catch unbroken waves.
4. Golden Wave : Mastering speed and the first turns on the shoulder of the wave.

This "passport" for the surfer allows him to have an idea of his level and to stay motivated in order to see his progress evolve.

Conclusion

Other benefits could be listed, such as socialization, respect, perseverance, self-confidence, body awareness, and health. But if you ask a surfer, they might only talk about the "pleasure" derived, among other things, from the adrenaline rush. This is the primary sensation that this sport, whose practice is synonymous with freedom, should provide. Whether surfing is a simple pastime or a true passion, the concept of "pleasure" must remain central so that children can fully benefit from the activity.

More than just a sport, surfing represents a a true school of life, where pleasure and freedom must always be at the heart of the practice. 🌊🏄‍♂️