Surfing mistakes for beginners: what no one tells you when you start

Starting to surf is a mix of excitement, fear, frustration, and joy. It pulls you completely out of your comfort zone… and that’s exactly what makes it so special.At Arima Surf House, we’ve welcomed people from all over the world who come to surf for the first time. And while everyone lives their own journey, there are some common mistakes that tend to show up again and again.

We want to share them with you — not so you avoid them, but so you live them with more awareness, less pressure, and a smile on your face.

1. Thinking you’ll stand up on your first day

It’s a natural fantasy: you imagine yourself riding a wave like a pro from day one. Reality? You’ll fall. You’ll drink some seawater. You’ll paddle endlessly. And that’s okay.Surfing isn’t about quick results — that’s part of its magic. In a world that moves fast, here everything flows at the ocean’s pace.

2. Comparing yourself to others

You see someone already standing up. A girl who dances on her board. Your instructor gliding like it’s nothing. And suddenly, you feel clumsy.At Arima we always say: “Your wave is yours. No one else can ride it for you.” There’s no rush. No competition. Just the ocean and you.

3. Believing it’s only about surfing

The biggest mistake? Thinking a surf trip is just about surfing. But the real experience happens beyond the water. Sharing tea with strangers who become friends. A yoga session that reconnects you to your body. A creative workshop that unlocks something new.Surf is the thread, but everything around it is what makes the experience unforgettable.

4. Ignoring the ocean (and your body)

The ocean speaks — with tides, with waves, with its mood. Learning to surf means learning to observe.Same with your body: if you’re tired, sore, or off balance, listen. You’re not here to push through. You’re here to reconnect with yourself differently.

5. Measuring progress only by standing up

What’s real progress? Waking up excited for day two even if you caught zero waves. Smiling in the water after five wipeouts.Sometimes you’ll stand on the board. Other times, you’ll simply stand up within yourself.

🌊 In summary…

Surfing isn’t just a sport. It’s a way to be present, to surrender, to move with what is. And yes, you’ll make mistakes. But if you live them with ease and curiosity, you’ll walk away with something far deeper than a wave ridden.

Come surf with us at Arima. Gently, joyfully, with an open heart.

👉 Check out our Surf Packs here:

https://www.arimasurfexperience.com/en/packs