Overview
The next step up from Beginner level. Learn how to assess surfing conditions, how to the read waves, selecting suitable locations for the intermediate surfer, negotiating waves using the duck dive, choosing correct waves, the take-off, turning, ways to get off the wave safety. Perform bottom and top turns on your forehand and link manoeuvres.
Aim
Perform bottom and top turns on your forehand and link manoeuvres in 3ft surf.
Locations and Conditions
Beach break
Peeling (spilling) waves when waves are 3 ft (1 metre)
Free from rocks (submerged or otherwise)
Rips may present
Wind speed less than 20 kilometres per hour (approx. 12.5 miles per hour)
Absence of a dumping shore break
Free from hazards such as marine creatures, pollution, etc.
Equipment
Beginner softboard with soft fins
Leg-rope (leash)
Knowledge & Skills
Surf Safety
Able to swim 200 metres
Able to tread water for 5 minutes
Surfing Environment
Predict surfing conditions based on weather, swell, tides, wind direction/speed
Identify how to read waves by understanding different water conditions, wave types, and their suitability for surfing, left and right waves, wave frequency
Identify 5 different types of surf breaks (breach, point, reef, river mouth, bombora)
Select a surfing location for the intermediate surfer
Surfing Skills
Choose a suitable place for entering and exiting the water at beach breaks
Identify the different types of rips and how to use them to advantage
Negotiate broken and unbroken waves using the duck dive
Identify correct paddling out protocol
Choose the correct waves to ride
Identify the correct take off position.
Correctly ride the wave by understanding how body weight and speed affect surfing
Identify how to turn your board
Identify methods to get off the wave
Wipe-out safely at the intermediate level
Perform Surfing Manoeuvres
Trim on forehand and backhand
Bottom turn (forehand)
Top turn (forehand)
Link manoeuvres
