Certification
Beginner: Catching Green Waves
Paddle out and catch unbroken (green) waves, angling along them.
- Free reference
- No signup
- Find an operator to get there
The beginner stage is the transition from whitewater to "green," unbroken waves. You learn to paddle out past the break, position yourself, read which waves to take, and catch them under your own power rather than being pushed. The big milestone is angling along the face of the wave instead of going straight to shore.
Coaching here is about timing and positioning, the two things hardest to learn alone. Many surfers spend a long, rewarding time at this stage, often on a longboard or large funboard.
What you'll learn
- Paddling out and timing duck-dives / turtle-rolls
- Catching unbroken waves under your own paddle power
- Trimming along the wave face (left or right)
Find an operator who teaches Beginner: Catching Green Waves
Browse surf schools & coaches and connect with the people who can get you to this level.
Common questions
- How long until I can catch green waves?
- It varies widely with how often you surf and wave quality. Coaching and consistent sessions shorten it considerably.
