Surfing goes Olympia

Surfing facts and tips

This year surfers took part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo for the first time. A total of 40 surfers competed from 23 July to 8 August at Tsurigasaki Beach in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture, which is about 100 kilometres from Tokyo. Representing Germany, 24-year-old Leon Glatzer glided across the water at the Olympic Surf Festival.

Surfing as a new discipline

The Olympic Surf Festival is a shortboard competition - shortboards include all boards up to a length of 6 ft 8 in - and is a freestyle discipline alongside skateboarding. This means that the surfers are judged, among others, on the degree of difficulty as well as the combination of manoeuvres, speed, creativity, and versatility. Evaluations are made subjectively by a panel of five judges. Unlike the other participating disciplines, surfing at the Olympics does not follow a fixed evaluation catalogue.

Did you know?

The history of surfing: from the "sport of kings" to the symbol of absolute freedom

Even though surfing as a discipline at the Olympic Games is still quite new, surfing actually has its origins as early as the 12th century and is attributed to the Polynesians - so today’s trend sport looks back on a long history. In 1720 the Polynesians brought surfing to Hawaii, where it not only became the "sport of kings“, but was also an integral part of Hawaiian religion. For example, building a surfboard was accompanied by religious rituals.

However, today's trend sport did not experience its first hype until surfing came to California in 1907. During the 1920s a real surfing cult grew. Then in 1953, surfing experienced another boom: thanks to Hollywood, not only the sport itself but also the typical surfer look became popular. Since then surfing and the gear that goes with it have continuously developed and improved. There are meanwhile around 20 million surfing fans worldwide.

On the way to the Olympics: first tricks and manoeuvres

Some surf manoeuvres are easier than others. As a beginner, you should first make sure you have mastered the basics. Once you’ve got the moves and have familiarised yourself with the water and the waves, you can then start with your first manoeuvres.

Read the waves

Before you go out on the water, you should take your time to look at the surf spot and pay attention to the following things:

How and where do the waves break?
How big do the waves get?
Are there reefs or rocks in the water?
Where are the beginners and where are the pros?

Paddling technique

Effective and correct paddling is essential on the water in order to still have enough strength left for your take-off. Lie face-down with your feet resting close to the end of the surfboard and your body tense. Paddle your arms with powerful strokes along the sides of the board to shoot through the water.

The dive through

To prevent being washed back to the beach by the first water avalanche, you should quickly learn to avoid the waterfront. Lying on your stomach on the board, paddle towards the front of the wave with your hands along the sides of the board and push off with your upper body. This allows the water to flow between your body and the board.

The take-off

During take-off, you want to switch from the lying position to the standing position. There are different types of take-off. For beginners we recommend the three-step take-off: hands flat on the board, push the upper body upwards, place one foot behind the other and pull the other leg through to the front. Stand up from the squatting position

Ready to take the first wave with us?

With our tips for beginners, we pave the way into the world of surfing and get new surfing enthusiasts ready for their first session. However, safety is always paramount, so beginners should not hit the water without expert guidance, as not every wave is suitable for beginners. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the water and your board. A surf school or surf camp, for example, can teach you the most important basic elements as well as the necessary basic knowledge - this way you stay safe and the fun factor doesn’t get lost. If you visit boot Düsseldorf, you can also make your first attempts with the board on THE WAVE.

For even more safety on the water, we recommend a compact lifeguard rescue buoy, e.g. from RESTUBE - a self-inflating airbag for the water. Stowed in its case, the rescue buoy is worn around your waist on a belt and can save your life in critical situations.

Besides technique and adequate safety, you also need the right gear, such as clothing and a board. Depending on the water temperature and season, you should wear a wetsuit. It is also advisable to start with a beginner-friendly surfboard, as they have more buoyancy. Most surf schools and surf camps will help with advice and provide equipment.