Building Confidence

[dizzeeP]

I haven't had a chance to surf that much this past year and I went out for a surf yesterday and found I had an unnatural fear once I got in the water - I was the same when I was learning to surf, I would only want to go out in small surf but I seem to have relapsed. I grew up with a phobia of the ocean but overcame it bit by bit because I wanted to surf so bad. Can anyone offer any advice on how to overcome being freaked out in the water? I'm not sure what my fears are but they seem to be getting the best of me, which is strange because I would throw myself down handrails and 10+ stairs on a skateboard as a kid! Cheers.

[EMTMIKE]

let go of everything when you paddle out, dont over analyze anything and STOP thinking so much:) go out there, smile, and enjoy being in the water. Think about getting past the break, think about getting into a wave, think about getting up, getting your turns in. Dont think about how huge and mysterious the ocean can be. keep your min pre-occupied by the stoke and how blessed you are to be able to enjoy the ocean. I think i would die if i was land locked. GO HAVE FUN!

[jaffa1949]

If I was going to think on anything remember the successful and fun surfs you had, what it was to ride that special wave you undoubtably remember, feel the temperature of the sun the view the clouds and the colours. Hear the pleasant sound of the waves sliding up the shore, maybe you can smell the salt of the sea, that feeling as you slide into the water. let each sensation embrace you and welcome you back.
See, you can feel that smile you had last time you had a good time out there. Guess what it is sitting out there waiting to be smiled again
Practical stuff; take on small bites of days where you are likely to be comfortable and successful and bit by bit increase your time and size of the experience. Go with a positive friend
let non surfers opinions slide away as they do not know the feeling. To quote an appropriate ad, "Only a Surfer knows the feeling!"

[tony g]

I would keep going out on the days you are comfortable with, and you will slowly build confidence and gradually feel better on bigger days. Everyone is different with their level of comfort when the surf starts to get bigger. You may want to push yourself a little, but not to much at once. You would not send a beginner out into a 10' shore break and expect them to not have any fear. As you develop your skills your confidence will grow. Just have fun with surfing!