Surf Kids Lesson 1: Introduction to Teaching Kids How to Surf

My Grom Surfing in The Yin & Yang Sustainable Kids Boardshorts

The world is immensely beautiful, and teaching kids to surf will open their minds, eyes, and little souls to all the magic waiting to be discovered. Surf kids grow up to be strong in their physical and mental bodies, pursuing a lifestyle that enhances positivity throughout every imaginable facet of their life, and for that, I love surfing.

If teaching your grom how to surf is something you've always wanted to pursue, this general introduction will help answer many common questions; a guide to some of the surfing basics before we move forward into the journey of riding their first waves.

Welcome to lesson 1 of the Salty Shreds Surf Kids Series!

If you're a surfer yourself, then you've probably had the plan to stick your bub's feet to the wax as soon as they can wobble their legs on the sand. But it's important to know that absolutely anyone can teach their kid how to surf, and even if you have never felt a board in your own hands, the journey is really all the same!

I mean, how rad is it that we, as parents, can also learn an entirely new ocean activity with our kids, a shared experience of adventure and growth creating the most precious of memories together. Also, not to jump ahead, but don't you want them calling you to book a surf trip to Indo when they grow up?!

Check out the Surf Lakes Wavepool in Action!

Teaching kids to surf isn't just limited to the coast these days.

With incredible innovation, wave pools are now popping up all over Australia and the rest of the world, broadening the scope of who can embody surfing as a passion and lifestyle. They're not everywhere yet, but it's a great start, and time will continue to expand wave-riding accessibility to families far from any oceans.

If you're landlocked but still want to raise free-spirited surf kids, two possible wave-pool options include:

• URBNSURF- Melbourne, Australia: An absolute joy of a time, this surf park is suitable for surfers of all skill levels, with available lessons and hours of urban surf fun.
• Surf Lakes- Yeppoon, QLD, Australia: A wild take on a man-made wave, this amazing wave pool can produce five various wave heights, perfect for beginner surf kids and an absolute dream for advanced surfers. It's currently not open to the public, but it will be soon, so get ready to count the days down.

My favorite thing about surfing is that it's a never-ending journey. We never stop learning, and we can never stop becoming better surfers.

There's a lot to be said about applying this ideology to every other aspect of our lives. I guess what I am saying is that it's good not to put a timeframe on surfing. Instead, enjoy every moment spent in the water regardless of how long it takes yourself and/or your surf kids to become comfortable surfers.

Teaching kids to surf will have varying timeframes for everyone, but it'll typically only take a handful of sessions to get the basics down, i.e., popping up and riding a wave.

A year of consistency, and chances are your grom will be super comfortable in the water. This looks like safely navigating the ocean/line-up, paddling into and riding their own waves, and laying the foundations of beginner surf maneuvers.

My 4 year old Salty Shredder. Follow Our Insta for More Ripping!

Kids can start surfing at a seriously young age, and they can do so really well. Look how comfortable Bryxton is at just four years old (she started surfing even younger), or check out this rad little story of this Brazilian grommet who learned how to surf at just two years old!

You really just have to expand your definition of what' learning how to surf' really is. Here's what I mean:

Yes, your surf kid can hit the water even before they're five. However, this:

• Is typically easier when you know how to surf: You can be in the water with them, you understand safe ocean conditions, and you can even practice tandem surfing!
• Involves pushing your grom into waves: Your kiddo will require a little help pushing them into waves until they become strong and able enough to paddle themselves.
• Requires reasonable conditions: Seriously, with the right buoyant board and your help, a surf kid can easily catch a safe, small wave under .5m. You don't need much in terms of wave height/power when it comes to teaching kids to surf, so don't go thinking they'll be riding Mavericks.

See what I mean by small waves?

As they age, surfing becomes something they can do more and more on their own. This is when learning how to surf really kicks into gear, as they'll begin working towards paddling and popping up on waves themselves, riding down the face of the wave, and really starting to understand surfing as a sport, lifestyle, and passion.

To approach surfing and teaching kids to surf safely and effectively, let's hit on a few essentials.

Make sure your kiddo is comfortable in the water. This typically includes being a solid swimmer who can hold their breath underwater while practicing communication.

I said this a bit before, but let's hit it again- all you need is minuscule surf and small waves to teach your kid surfing. I'm talking on the verge of flat, even. Always start small, be mindful of the conditions, and surf near lifeguards. Heed any warnings and signs with caution!

Start in rather shallow, sand bottom conditions where you can easily stand. This will allow you ease in pushing them into waves and helping them back out into the line-up.

Talk to your kid about surfing, show them videos, and have them watch local surfers ripping in the line-up during your beach day. The more interested they are, the more this passion translates into fearless doing.

Teach your kid about the ocean and ocean safety. Go over what to do during various situations, such as rip currents, teach them the science of waves and how to apply this to surfing, and talk about surfing's incredible history. Surfing is more than just physical, as there's so much learning and life lessons to be derived from such a connecting practice. Surf kids are well-rounded, knowledgeable beings with a huge understanding of the Earth and these soulful principles.

Your grom can surf in a life jacket or floaties if needed. You can always incorporate these safety devices into the introductory stages of surfing.

We'll get more into choosing your kid's first surfboard in a later article, but to summarize, start them on floaty foam surfboards. Foamies aren't intimidating, safe, affordable, and they can catch the tiniest of ankle biters!

Kids are more sensitive to the sun than we are, and we should all be applying sunscreen more than we probably do. Like, a lot more. I just spoke of the importance of sunscreen for babies and kids, so give it a read. If you're in the market for a natural, reef, and body-safe sunscreen free of nasty chemicals for your next surf lesson, we got you covered (literally) with our Surf Baby Natural.

Teaching kids to surf on your own? There are so many video resources and other informational sources to help you along the way. Watch videos and absorb this information to become a better teacher for your grom! The more you learn, the more you can share with your kiddo and the more expansive their own knowledge and skills become.

Try to get out there as much as you can. Kids are especially responsive to muscle memory, so the more waves they catch, the more this becomes an integral part of who you are. It sounds cliche, but it's just like riding a bike.

This article provided a broad overview of raising surf kids with a love and passion for the water. So what's next?

Stick around, as next, we will begin digging into more step-by-steps and how-to's for surfing.

Make sure you're styled out with our killer line of surf clothes and sign up for an email list for lessons two and beyond, as up next, we're going to teach you and your grom how to read a surf report. Then, it's time to choose a kid's surfboard and teach them the pop-up!

Good things to come, and we're stoked to see you there.