SLOW & LOW? MAYBE NOT QUITE THAT LOW…
One of my biggest surf coaching topics with clients is around having a relaxed body. In the early stages of surfing (actually it simply keeps going in all the stages!), having a relaxed body is key to having a balanced prone position on the board while paddling, as well as transitioning smoothly to your feet upon catching the wave. Those first few waves often amount to “sensory overload,” which then leads to a tense body with all that anxiousness and/or fearful energy. A fearful mindset usually leads to a hesitant, inaccurate motion, and an overly excited mindset usually leads to overpowered and very inaccurate body mechanics. Either way, things get much easier if you can simply focus on a smooth, deep breath; noticing tension in your arms, legs, back, neck and jaw. Relax your body as much as possible, and move “slow and low.” Practicing this will help you instill proper surfing instincts as you build the mind and body of a surfer.
