A newbie's surfing question!?

Question

Whenever I'm surfing, the ocean spray always gets into my eyes and then I tip over and fall. How do other people do this without goggles!? Does this damage your eyes?

ANd aother thing is, how do you balance yourself on the board?

Answer 1

soon youll just get usta it and it will be a welcoming and refreshing feeling and its a matter of blinking at the right time. also balcence on the board is all about how big your board is and how big you are try to ride centered verticaly and horizontaly on your board.... by your weight

Answer 2

The spray you'll get used to.  Balance comes with more experience.  However, I'd recommend you move onto a bigger board.  I mean one of those "tankers".  It'll make surfing more enjoyable and as your skills improve then go to a shorter board.  Good luck

Answer 3

Look at where you are standing on the board. If you are too far to one side or the other, you are going to be tipping the board more... having it cut into the wave harder and more spray coming into your face. Stay centered over the stringer (wood strip going down the middle of your board). You can still turn or course, just lean with your body. It doesn't damage your eyes. Try possibly squinting more..

To balance on the board, don't stand straight up. Try bending your knees a little bit to lower your center of gravity. Widen your stance a little by standing with your feet farther apart. Not too far where it's awkward, but enough where you feel more balanced. Hold your arms out a little for that extra feeling of stability.

But I would say stand more centered on your board, maybe more towards the front and you shouldn't really have a problem. Hope this helps..

Answer 4

eyes, your just gonna have to be hardcore and deal with it or just like wipe your eyes..

AND

the whole balance question.

and if you get a bigger board like a long board it can help you if your a new at surfing.

AND this might help you

(from source)

1 . Feet facing across the deck of the surfboard

if you find your feet facing straight down the deck (sprinting stance) you will have to twist your hips, adjust your footing and get your body side on.

2.Knees bent, lowering your centre of gravity.

3. Hips pushed forward placing more weight on the front leg. The front leg is the accelerator and the back leg is the brake. At this stage you want to keep the acclerator on and surf all the way to the beach.

4.Arms up, this is your balance, if you feel yourself falling pull your lead arm back to the centre line of the deck and try to stay stable.

5.Head up and looking forward, where you look is where you go

if you look down you will pull your weight through your shoulders and simply fall straight off the surfboard. Keeping your head up will assist you in being centred and balanced.