Blog

Surfing is the sport of gliding across ocean waves while standing on a board, harnessing the energy generated by the movement of water. The core idea is simple: you paddle out to sea, position your board in front of a wave, and at just the right moment, stand up and ride it all the way to shore.

In practice, surfing involves much more than balance. You need to understand how the ocean behaves, choose the right equipment, respect unwritten rules, and develop strength, coordination, and environmental awareness.

For beginners, the volume of information can feel overwhelming. But the learning process is progressive: every session in the water teaches you something new, and improvement happens naturally with proper guidance and consistent practice.

This guide covers everything you need to know about how surfing works, from the sport’s origins to the best destinations to surf in Brazil, including board selection, wave reading, safety, and the physical and mental benefits the sport offers.

What is surfing and how did the sport begin?

Surfing is a water sport practiced in oceans, rivers, and even artificial wave pools. The goal is to ride waves on a board, performing maneuvers along the wave’s face or simply gliding until it dissipates.

Unlike many sports, surfing has no fixed field or controlled conditions. The ocean changes every day, and part of the challenge, and the joy, lies in adapting to that ever-changing environment.

Over time, surfing evolved from a cultural ritual into a competitive sport with professional circuits around the world, and was even included in the Olympic Games. But for most practitioners, it remains above all a lifestyle deeply connected to nature.

What are the historical origins of surfing?

Surfing has deep roots in Polynesian culture, especially in Hawaii. For the peoples who inhabited those islands, riding waves was far more than recreation: it was a spiritual and social practice tied to hierarchy and respect for nature.

The boards used in ancient times were heavy, crafted from native wood, and could stretch several meters in length. Only the most respected members of the community rode the largest boards and surfed the best waves.

In the early twentieth century, Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku played a pivotal role in popularizing surfing throughout the Western world, bringing the sport to Australia and the United States. From there, surf culture spread rapidly, captured California in the 1950s and 1960s, and has never stopped growing.

How did surfing arrive in Brazil?

Surfing reached Brazil around the 1930s, with records of boards being brought over by sailors and foreign travelers. However, the sport truly took hold in the 1960s and 1970s, when young people along the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo began embracing both the sport and the lifestyle it carried.

Brazil’s coastline proved extremely favorable for surfing. With an extensive and diverse shoreline, the country began producing generations of talented surfers who went on to compete, and win, at the world’s biggest competitions.

Today, Brazil is one of the dominant forces in global surfing. Brazilian names have ruled the world circuit for years, and destinations like Florianópolis, Fernando de Noronha, Saquarema, and Itacaré are internationally recognized for the quality of their waves and their well-established surf culture.

How does surfing work in practice?

In the water, surfing starts before you catch your first wave. The surfer must paddle from shore out to the lineup, the spot beyond the breaking waves where everyone waits for sets. That paddle-out already demands physical fitness and proper positioning on the board.

In the lineup, the surfer watches the horizon, reads the incoming wave sets, and picks which one to ride. At the right moment, they turn the board toward shore, paddle hard to build speed, and when the wave begins to push, execute the move to stand up, known as the pop-up.

From there, it’s all about maintaining balance, shifting body weight, and performing maneuvers along the wave’s face. Every wave is unique, and knowing how to make the most of it is what separates experienced surfers from beginners.

What are the basic rules of surfing?

Surfing has rules both in competitive settings and in everyday sessions at the beach. Knowing them is essential for surfing safely and respectfully.

• Wave priority: whoever is closest to the peak, the highest point of the wave, has the right of way. Dropping in on someone who is already riding is considered a serious offense.
• Don’t snake paddling surfers: someone paddling out should move out of the way of a surfer riding a wave, but the surfer should also avoid heading directly toward those paddling out.
• Control your board: never let your board fly toward other people in the water. The leash, the cord that attaches the board to your ankle, exists precisely for this reason.
• Respect your skill level: beginners should avoid crowded breaks or waves that are too advanced for their level, both for their own safety and for the safety of others.

These rules are not written down in any official rulebook, but they are followed by surf communities around the world.

How does scoring work in surf competitions?

In professional competitions, each surfer has a set amount of time to surf, usually between 20 and 30 minutes, and can catch as many waves as they want within that period.

A panel of judges scores each wave on a scale of 0 to 10, taking into account factors such as commitment and degree of difficulty of maneuvers, speed and flow, combination of moves, and maximum use of the wave.

At the end of the heat, the surfer’s two best scores are added together, for a maximum total of 20 points. The surfer with the highest combined score advances in the competition.

In Olympic events and WSL contests, the format may vary, but the underlying logic of scoring based on maneuvers and wave utilization remains the same. Perfect scores of 10 are rare and celebrated as historic moments in the sport.

What is lineup etiquette and why does it matter?

Lineup etiquette is the set of behaviors expected of anyone who enters the water to surf. It exists to ensure that everyone has a safe and harmonious session, regardless of skill level.

Beyond the priority rules already mentioned, etiquette also includes:

• Not pushing or harassing other surfers over waves
• Greeting those already at the peak when you arrive
• Not overcrowding a single peak when others are available
• Helping surfers in difficulty, especially beginners

The concept of crowd in surfing is directly tied to etiquette. Overcrowded breaks increase the risk of collisions and create tension among surfers. Knowing how to position yourself and respect others’ space is a fundamental part of surf culture.

How to choose the right surfboard to get started?

Choosing the right board is one of the most important decisions for anyone learning to surf. The wrong board makes learning much harder and can even discourage beginners in their first few sessions.

The market offers dozens of models with different shapes, volumes, and materials. Each one serves a specific purpose, and understanding the basics of these differences prevents costly and frustrating mistakes.

The general rule is simple: the more volume, the more float, the more stability, and the easier it is to catch waves. For beginners, that’s invaluable. Over time, as your technique improves, you can transition to smaller, more responsive boards.

What is the ideal board size for beginners?

For those just starting out, larger boards with plenty of volume are always the best choice. The ideal size depends on each person’s weight, height, and physical fitness, but some general guidelines can help with the decision.

Beginners typically do well with boards starting at 7 feet (about 2.13 meters), but it’s most common to start with a longboard or a funboard, which range from 8 to 9 feet. These boards offer the stability needed to learn the pop-up and catch smaller waves with greater ease.

You can explore this choice in more depth by consulting a dedicated guide on the ideal surfboard for beginners, which breaks down the options by weight and experience level.

Avoid starting with shortboards, the short, thin boards used by advanced surfers. They require a solid technical foundation and make the early stages of learning much slower and more frustrating.

What are the different types of surfboards and how do they differ?

There are several types of surfboards, each designed for a specific style of surfing and skill level:

• Longboard: a long board, generally over 9 feet, with a high volume. Ideal for beginners and surfers who prefer a more classic, flowing style.
• Funboard (or malibu): a mid-length board, between 7 and 8.5 feet. Great for those moving beyond the beginner stage who want more maneuverability without sacrificing stability.
• Fish: a short, wide board with a good amount of volume. Works well in small waves and is an option for more athletic beginners.
• Shortboard: a short, thin, pointed board. Used by advanced surfers in quality waves. Requires a high level of technical skill.
• Softboard (foam board): a board made of foam, safer and more affordable. Widely used in beginner surf lessons.

Beyond the board type, another important detail is board preparation. Understanding how to wax a surfboard makes a real difference in grip and performance in the water.

How to read waves before entering the water?

Knowing how to read waves is a skill that separates surfers who improve quickly from those who plateau. Before entering the water, spending a few minutes observing how the ocean behaves already provides valuable information about where the peak is breaking, the wave’s direction, and the strength of the sets.

This wave reading involves understanding the shape of the beach, the position of sandbars or reefs, wind direction, and the size of the incoming swell. Over time, these assessments become automatic, but in the beginning it’s worth paying conscious attention to every detail.

Good wave reading also improves safety. Rip currents, shallow sandbars, and closeout waves are all situations that can be identified before entering the water, avoiding unnecessary risks.

What are right-hand and left-hand waves?

The direction of a wave is always described from the perspective of the surfer facing the shore. A right-hand wave breaks to the surfer’s right, which appears as the left side from the beach. A left-hand wave breaks to the surfer’s left.

This distinction matters because it affects the surfer’s position on the board and the types of maneuvers that can be performed. Surfers with a regular stance, left foot forward, generally feel more comfortable on right-hand waves. Goofy-stance surfers, right foot forward, tend to prefer left-hand waves.

Waves that break in both directions at the same time are called A-frames and are highly prized because they allow two surfers to ride the same wave simultaneously, each going in a different direction.

How do wind and tide affect waves?

Wind and tide are two of the most important factors in determining wave quality at any beach.

Offshore wind, which blows from land toward the sea, is favored by surfers. It holds up the face of the wave, making it more vertical, clean, and giving it more wall time for maneuvers. Onshore wind, which blows from the sea toward land, chops up the water’s surface and causes waves to collapse prematurely.

To better understand how this works, it’s worth consulting a guide on how to identify the prevailing wind at a surf spot before planning a session.

Tide also changes everything. Depending on the shape of the ocean floor at a given beach, waves may be best at high tide, low tide, or somewhere in between. Understanding how tides work is essential for choosing the best time of day to surf.

How to learn surfing from scratch safely?

Learning to surf from scratch is an experience that requires patience, consistency, and respect for the ocean environment. The process has well-defined stages, and trying to skip steps usually results in injuries or a much slower progression.

Safety starts before you even enter the water: knowing the spot, assessing ocean conditions, using proper equipment, and never surfing alone in your first sessions are all habits that make a real difference.

Learning also happens out of the water. Watching videos, observing more experienced surfers on the beach, and understanding the theory behind waves can significantly accelerate your progress in the water.

What are the first steps for someone who has never surfed?

The path for someone who has never surfed begins on dry land. Before entering the water, it’s important to practice the pop-up on the sand, the movement of rising from the board in one smooth, fluid motion. This move needs to become automatic before you attempt it on a moving wave.

The initial steps in order are:

1. Learn to swim confidently and feel comfortable in the ocean
2. Practice the pop-up on the sand until the movement feels natural
3. Enter the water in calm conditions, with small, clean waves
4. Start lying on the board, catching waves without standing up to get a feel for the motion
5. Progress to the pop-up once you have control of your paddling and positioning

Consistency matters more than intensity. Short, frequent sessions teach more than long, sporadic ones.

Do you need to take lessons with a professional instructor?

It’s not mandatory, but it makes a significant difference, especially at the start. A professional instructor accelerates the learning process considerably, corrects posture and pop-up mistakes before they become ingrained habits, and provides personalized safety guidance for the ocean.

Learning on your own is possible, but it tends to be slower and riskier. Without guidance, it’s easy to develop bad technique that can hold back your progress for months.

For those looking for a more immersive experience, programs like those offered by BJJ Surf Experience in Florianópolis combine surf lessons with professional instructors, beach-side accommodation, and a structured training routine, creating ideal conditions for rapid improvement in just a few days.

Investing in quality instruction at the beginning saves time, reduces the risk of injury, and makes the experience far more enjoyable from the very first sessions.

What exercises out of the water help you improve at surfing?

Surfing demands strength, balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. Training these qualities out of the water accelerates improvement and reduces the risk of injury.

Some exercises especially useful for surfers:

• Swimming: improves paddling and aerobic conditioning
• Yoga: builds flexibility, balance, and body awareness
• Squats and lunges: strengthen the legs, the foundation of surfing
• Plank and core exercises: stabilize the trunk for maneuvers
• Trunk rotation exercises: prepare the body for turns on the wave
• Balance board: simulates the balancing motion on the surfboard

Martial arts like jiu-jitsu are also widely practiced by surfers. In addition to building functional strength and balance, they develop body awareness and mental resilience, qualities that transfer directly to performance in the water.

What are the best surf destinations in Brazil?

Brazil has an extensive coastline with beaches suited to every type of surfer. From powerful tube waves for advanced riders to smooth, consistent breaks for beginners, the country offers options across nearly every coastal state.

Each destination has unique characteristics in terms of ocean floor, beach orientation, prevailing swell, and available infrastructure. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right destination for your skill level and what you want to experience in surfing.

Why are Fernando de Noronha and Florianópolis so well known?

Fernando de Noronha is famous for its crystal-clear water, its reefs that shape long, perfect waves, and its preserved environment that makes every session a one-of-a-kind experience. Baía do Sueste and Cacimba do Padre are two of the most photographed surf spots in Brazil, drawing surfers from around the world with their exceptional waves.

Florianópolis, meanwhile, is one of Brazil’s main surf hubs. With more than 40 beaches spread across the island, it offers breaks for every skill level, from calm, beginner-friendly waves to challenging peaks for advanced surfers. The city has a deeply rooted surf culture, with schools, shops, an active community, and a lifestyle centered around the ocean.

BJJ Surf Experience is based right in Florianópolis, taking full advantage of this diversity of beaches and infrastructure to offer surf and jiu-jitsu programs in one of the best settings for this kind of experience in Brazil.

Which beaches are recommended for beginner surfers?

For those learning to surf, beaches with small waves, sandy bottoms, and no strong currents are the best options. Some well-known choices in Brazil:

• Praia Mole and Barra da Lagoa (Florianópolis, SC): consistent, quality waves suited for beginners and intermediates
• Maresias (SP): good infrastructure and accessible waves for learning
• Itacaré (BA): a variety of beaches with options for different skill levels
• Arpoador and Recreio beaches (RJ): easy access and waves suitable for those just starting out
• Lagoinha and Ingleses beaches (Florianópolis, SC): gentler waves, ideal for first sessions

Regardless of the destination, entering the water with an instructor for your first sessions is always the safest and most effective choice when learning from scratch.

How can surfing transform your physical and mental health?

Surfing is one of the few sports that works nearly every system in the body at the same time: cardiovascular, muscular, neurological, and even emotional. A single session can be both an intense physical workout and a moment of complete disconnection from everyday life.

This unique combination is why many surfers describe the sport not just as exercise, but as a practice that transforms their relationship with their own body, with risk, and with the present moment.

Which muscles does surfing work most intensely?

Surfing is a full-body sport, but certain muscle groups are especially challenged:

• Shoulders and arms: paddling is the most repeated movement in surfing and demands endurance from the deltoids, triceps, and lats
• Core (abs and lower back): responsible for balance on the board and stabilization during maneuvers
• Legs and glutes: support the body’s weight in the surf stance and absorb the impact of maneuvers
• Chest and back: activated during both paddling and the pop-up

Beyond muscle strengthening, surfing improves proprioception (awareness of your body’s position), flexibility, and dynamic balance in ways that few other sports can replicate.

Why is surfing compared to a meditative practice?

In surfing, there is no room for autopilot. The ocean demands constant, total attention: the next wave, the wind, the position of other surfers, the movement of the water beneath the board. This demand for full presence is what connects surfing to meditation.

When you’re sitting in the lineup waiting for a wave, there’s no way to think about work, bills, or the problems of the day. The environment simply doesn’t allow it. This forced disconnection from daily life is one of the reasons surfers describe the ocean as a place of mental recharge.

The connection with nature, the rhythm of the tides, and the unpredictability of the waves also teach acceptance and patience in a very tangible way. Not every wave will be a good one. Not every session will be perfect. And learning to deal with that in the water tends to translate into greater emotional balance on land.

This dimension of surfing, physical, mental, and almost philosophical, is what turns many practitioners into lifelong devotees of the sport.