You’ve done your first surf course and now you’re hooked. We know the feeling because we see it every day at Peña Txuri Surf Eskola: that look of excitement when you stand up for the first time, that rush when you manage to ride a wave all the way, that mix of exhaustion and happiness that only someone who has spent hours in the water can understand.
But once that first experience is over, many people ask themselves:
👉 “So, what’s next?”
Well, now comes the best part. Here, we explain the steps we recommend following after your first surf course, based on our experience as a surf school and community on the Basque coast.
- Learn (and respect) the rules of surfing
Before you head out into the water on your own, there’s something more important than any board or technique: knowing the rules of surfing. Because in the water, you are not alone, and sharing the space is key to enjoying yourself and making progress.
These are the basic rules we teach at Peña Txuri from day one:
- Wave Priority: The surfer closest to the peak has the right of way.
- Don’t Drop In: If someone is already on the wave, it’s theirs. Don’t get in their way.
- Don’t Snake: Respect the lineup and wait your turn at the peak.
- Paddle Out Smart: Use the channels or the whitewater to paddle out, without getting in the way of those who are surfing.
- Communicate Your Intentions: A simple “Going right!” can prevent a collision.
🟦 Knowing this doesn’t just make you a better surfer; it makes you a better member of the surfing community.
Índice
2. Join a Local School or Keep Training with Instructors
You might think you’re ready to go it alone, but the truth is that the first few months of surfing are crucial. And continuing with a trusted school or instructor makes all the difference.
At Peña Txuri Surf Eskola, we see it clearly: students who maintain some consistency with lessons, even just once a week, progress much faster. Because it’s not just about paddling and standing up; it’s about reading the sea, choosing the right wave, controlling your board, improving your paddle, and learning maneuvers…
Plus, if you live far from the coast, all is not lost! You can look for a surf club or group that organizes trips, dry-land training, or even group surf travel.
3. Choosing the Right Gear (Without Rushing)
One of the most common mistakes after a first course is wanting to immediately buy the coolest board or the most technical wetsuit. But take it easy. Before you spend money, think about this:
🏄 Your First Board
- Start with a softboard or a funboard: They are more stable and help you build confidence. You can learn more about the different types of surfboards here.
- Look for volume: More buoyancy means easier paddling and more waves.
- Approximate size: For adult beginners, a board over 7 feet is standard.
🟦 School Tip: If you can, rent first. This way, you can try out different models before you buy.
👕 Your First Wetsuit
The right suit depends on where and when you surf. If you’re unsure, we can help you with choosing the ideal wetsuit.
- Northern Spain in winter: A 4/3 mm is the minimum, but a 5/4 mm with a hood is better.
- Spring/Autumn: A 3/2 mm is usually sufficient.
- Summer in the Mediterranean: A shorty or even just a rash guard will do.
And always, always make sure it’s flexible and fits snugly without being too tight.
4. Improve Your Physical Fitness: Training Happens Out of the Water Too
Surfing is demanding. If you’ve already done a course, you know this: tired arms, an aching back, legs that won’t respond… The best way to improve in the water is to be physically active out of it. Here is our complete guide to out-of-water surf training.
🧘♀️ Some exercises we recommend at Peña Txuri:
- Plank: To work your core and improve stability.
- Push-ups: To improve your paddling power and pop-up.
- Back and neck stretches: Essential for avoiding strain.
- Balance exercises: Using a BOSU ball, a surfskate, or proprioception drills.
- Yoga and joint mobility: Ideal for preventing injuries and improving flexibility.
Dedicating a few minutes each day makes a huge difference when you get back in the water.
5. Study Surfing, Watch It, Live It
Not everything is learned on the waves. Watching videos, reading articles, and observing more experienced surfers… it all adds up. Analyze how they paddle, how they turn, how they master the take-off.
And if you don’t know where to start, our Peña Txuri blog has tons of practical resources designed for people just like you: newly hooked on surfing and eager to improve.
6. Stay in Touch with the School
A good surf school isn’t just the place where you took your first course; it’s a place where you can keep learning, asking questions, and sharing experiences. Many of our students end up becoming friends, part of a community.
So, whether you took your first course at Peña Txuri or another school, stay in touch. Sign up for intermediate lessons, ask about training sessions, or join trips and surf camps.
🟦 Surfing is more fun when you share it.
7. And Above All… Keep Having Fun
Yes, now you want to improve your technique, control your turns, and catch more waves. But don’t forget that the best surfer isn’t the one who does the most tricks, but the one who has the most fun.
Every session is a learning experience. There will be tough days, wipeouts, and frustrations… and also laughter, progress, and waves you’ll remember for a lifetime.
From all of us at Peña Txuri, let us be clear: surfing doesn’t end with your first course—that’s where it truly begins.
🌊 See you in the water. With a good attitude, with respect… and with a huge desire to keep learning.