Position In the Line Up
The Position In the Line Up is all important to make
it as easy as possible to catch waves without continuously
having to duck dive all the time. The right position is something
that you will get a good feel for as your surfing experience
increases. When you are learning you can take your prompt
from other surfers in the water. The picture below shows the
ideal position a surfer needs to be in to catch waves. X marks
the spot!. This position just outside the waves will give
you a chance to recover from the paddle out (especially all
you smokers out there!) and also gives you plenty of time
to sit up and wait for a really good wave.
Ideal Position In The Line Up
Paddling Out Position
It is easier to paddle through unbroken water than slog
your way out through walls and walls of white water, so before
you start paddling out take a good look at where you need
to be in the line up and what is the easiest way to get there.
Think it through - what is the best way out? - can I use a
rip to help me out? - which route will not take me into the
path of incoming surfers. Use your common sense. The picture
below shows the obvious route out to the line up. It is always
handy if the spot you are surfing is nice and uncrowded and
the waves are breaking in the same spot all the time (ideal
world!). Each surf break is different to the next and each
day at a surf break is different from the day before, but
that is one of the joys of surfing.
Ideal Paddle Out Route.
If you take the above route at this surf break you should
have a nice leisurely paddle out, not having to duck dive
waves and not getting in the way of an incoming surfer. From
the picture you can see that a surfer sitting at the end of
the red line in the top right will be just outside the breaking
waves.
One thing to be aware of is that you will not always be able
to paddle out in the nice unbroken waves. If you are surfing
in and come off your board you may be left right in the impact
zone - known as being caught inside. If this happens then
you should make your way back out to the line up through the
whitewater, and not in the path of other surfers who will
be coming in on waves. It is your responsibility when paddling
out to keep out of the way of incoming wave riders.
Next up is the last section on Positioning. The main one
being the Surfing
Position On The Wave. Read this and then you'll be set
to cruise!
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