Rip Currents
For more experienced surfers, rip currents (also called run-outs) can be an easy way to paddle out into the line up. The current ends up doing most of the work to get the surfer past the breakers. You must be confident of your swimming and surfing abilities before you venture out into a rip current.

Prepping Your Board
Put your wax on and comb it. Attach the leash to the board at the tail, wrap it around the tail of the board and secure it so you don't trip!

Various ways to carry a longboard!
1. On your head.
2. With a friend.
3. Use the wind, don't let it push you around.
4. Dragging your board or leash in the sand. This is not good for your equipment.

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Prepping Yourself
1. STRETCH! Warm up neck, arms, shoulders, wrists, waist,legs, hamstrings, quads, knees, and ankles.

2. STUDY THE WAVES! Diagram a wave. Know the face, back, trough, crest, peak, shoulder, lip, white water, and line-up. Note sideshore drift if there is any! Pay attention to the sets. Note swell direction, number of waves per set, time period between sets (which will help determine the best time to paddle out!). Approximate wave size (measured from trough to crest in body height or feet). FOR EVERY FOOT OF WAVE HEIGHT, STUDY THE WAVES FOR 3 MINUTES! Watch the peaks and note shift because of a jetty, the bottom contours (sand bars and sloughs), and currents. Review run-outs.

3. BEFORE YOU PADDLE OUT, KNOW WHETHER TIDE IS COMING IN OR GOING OUT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE PARKED ON THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!! (Unless you want to have to buy a new car.)

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The Paddle Out
1. Note where you are entering the water. Look for markers on the shore like memorable buildings, piers, trees, things that won't move or leave, like cars.

2. You want to stay UPDRIFT of your board (so it won't hit you if you loose control!)

3. Go with the drift. Don't waste energy fighting it when you could be surfing. Just walk back up the beach every now and then. Make sure your buddy stays with you on your adventure!

4. To get out (especially with a longboard), push the board over the breaker by applying pressure to the tail of the board to pop the nose up and sink the tail. Then, duck yourself under the water continuing to hold onto the tail of the board. Let the water pass between you and the board. More experienced shortboarders will duck dive (but that is difficult to explain). You could also turtle roll, which is when you paddle towards a breaking wave and then turn the board over and push it through the wave while you are under water.

5. Paddle for valleys, around waves when possible.

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Catching Waves
1. If you are a beginner, the easiest way for you to catch a wave is to have a friend or instructor push you in.

2. The most common way to catch a wave is to paddle into the wave on your own. It is very important that you LOOK BOTH WAYS before dropping in. If you see another surfer who is closer to the peak paddling in, STOP paddling and pull out of the wave.

3. Pop up. This is when the wave just comes along and you are in the right place at the right time. Not much paddling is necessary. Just remember to keep the center of gravity low.

4. Didn't catch the first wave. Go for the next one (2nd Effort)! Don't jump off. DO hang on or drop to your belly then pop up again!

5. When and if you fall, do so FLAT and back (a handy habit if you're ever over reef or rocks). Stay under water to count of 3 ("one-thousand-one...", come up slowly, arms first!

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Waveriding
1. Try to maintain contact with your board.(Hang onto it with your feet!) If you can't, just stay under water for that magic 3 count and come up arms first!!

2. Learn to ride the face of the wave. This is called trimming the wave.

3. Regular foot is left foot forward and right foot back. Goofy foot is right foot forward and left foot back. A regular footed person will be facing the wave when going right and have their back to the wave (backside) when going left.

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After Your Session
1. Got a jacuuzi? A friend with one? How about a bath tub? Soaking away soreness can be heavenly.
2. Don't forget to stretch again. Try 'doorway' stretches for those pecs.

Dings
1. Sun Cure (with fiber fill) is good for minor dings.
2. Ding Repair Wizard book will walk you through repairing minor dings.
3. Professional repairs are sometimes necessary when you don't have the knowledge or equipment to repair your board correctly.

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Miscellaneous
1. SAND your fins down or replace with Proteks. Fins are very sharp and can leave a nasty scar.

2. Always carry drinking water with you (or Kool Aid, Propel water, Gator Aid or ANYthing you'll drink that's not dehydrating!)

3. Keep extra sunscreen on hand and remember to re-apply it from time to time or pay the consequences, Don't forget ears, neck, tops of feet. Save front of legs for AFTER you surf or you'll slip every time you hit the deck.

4. LIPS need balm with SPF too, Remember to love your lips!!!

5. Rash guards can be your best friend for beating sunburn AND waxrash, as well as provide some warmth. There are many different kinds to choose from.

6. Handy items to have on hand: A towel or 2 (for drying and keeping wax off your car or for between multiple boards), a plastic bag without holes (for putting your wet things into), a jug of rinse water can be so sweet (warm in cold or wind).

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CONDITION YOURSELF BETWEEN SWELLS IN ALL 3 WAYS:
1. CARDIOVASCULAR: Run, bike, lifecycle, Tai Bo, whatever you like, just get your heart rate up and keep it there for 20-30 mins. Shoot for every day, make it at least 3 times each week.

2. STRENGTH: Practice pop-ups, do sit-ups, use dumb bells, weight training machines, whatever YOU like, 3 times a week.

3. FLEXIBILITY: STRETCH gently and hold positions for 30 seconds. Yoga, ballet, martial arts are all helpful.

Cross Training
Skateboard, Wakeboard, Indo Board (but not near a plate glass window!), gymnastics, dance are all good! Pop-ups are a conditioning secret!!

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