What Is the Take-Off in Surfing?
Take-Off in Surfing: What Is It and How to Nail It?
Discover what the take-off in surfing is, an essential step for beginners. Our tips to help you stand up on your board and catch the wave properly.
🏄♂️ What Exactly Is the Take-Off?
The take-off is one of the first techniques you will learn in surfing.
It’s the moment when you stand up on your board to catch the wave. An exciting and crucial step that marks the beginning of your ride!
Simply put: without a successful take-off, no surfing is possible.
It’s often a source of frustration for beginners, but also an unforgettable first victory when you manage to stand up and ride the wave to the shore. 🎉
🎯 Why Is the Take-Off So Important?
Because it determines everything else:
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Your speed on the wave
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Your stability
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Your ability to turn
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And even your self-confidence in the water
A good take-off will allow you to catch more waves, progress faster, and most importantly, really enjoy your sessions! 🤙
🧠 The Steps to a Good Take-Off
Here’s how to perform an effective take-off, step by step:
1. Paddle properly
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Lie at the center of the board: not too far forward (you’ll nose-dive), not too far back (you’ll slow down).
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Paddle with energy when the wave approaches. The goal: for the board to pick up speed in time.
2. Feel the right moment
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When the board starts to accelerate on its own, it means you’re locked into the wave.
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Not too early, not too late: it’s a matter of feeling, which you’ll develop with practice.
3. Stand up (take-off)
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Place your hands flat under your ribs (as if doing a push-up).
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Push hard with your arms.
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In one smooth motion:
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Bring your front foot to the center of the board
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The back foot follows naturally into position
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Look straight ahead, not at your feet!
4. Stabilize yourself
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Bend your knees
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Keep your arms wide for balance
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Breathe calmly
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And above all… stay loose!
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Standing up too early (you nosedive into the foam) or too late (the wave escapes you)
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Looking at your feet instead of looking ahead
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Being stiff like a board
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Neglecting the paddling phase (it’s what triggers a good take-off!)
💡 Instructor Tips
“A clean take-off on a foam wave is better than a messy take-off on a steep wave.”
- Practice on the sand before hitting the water: do series of take-offs like a warm-up.
- Be explosive, not hesitant. A quick, imperfect move is better than a slow, frozen one.
- Ask for feedback from your instructor or a friend watching you: often, we don’t notice our own blocks.
🌊 And After the Take-Off?
Once you’re standing up, that’s when the real ride begins: learn to steer the board, control your speed, and make your first turns…
But without a mastered take-off, it’s hard to go any further.
✅ In summary
The take-off is the key to having fun from your very first sessions. With practice, patience, and the right habits, it will become natural and smooth.
So don’t give up. The moment you land your first real take-off will be etched in your memory.
