Surfing 101

MANILA, Philippines - There’s nothing like riding the waves like Kate Bosworth in Blue Crush for that stoked feeling.

Take it from Cream Silk babe Lorraine Lapus, marketing director of the Philippine Surfing Academy. While most girls hide from the sun’s harmful rays, this water baby is out there to shine.

Lorraine shares tips on how you, too, can shine this summer.

•Wear properly fitting wetsuit. A suit that is too big will rub uncomfortably and can cause nasty rashes and even bleeding. It will also make it harder for you to paddle and stand up.

•Know the safety measures. Proper board handling is very important because the board can either be your friend or enemy. Most surfing injuries are caused by collisions between surfers and their own surfboards. A good board size is a minimum of 8’6 and up to 10’. Once you get comfortable riding a longboard, you can gradually shift to a shorter board. When walking out towards the break in shallow water, make sure to always hold your board by the rails at your side. Keep your distance between other surfers and avoid staying behind anyone when heading out.

•Get a grip on paddling. Paddling is the most important skill in surfing. If you can’t paddle your surfboard well, you won’t be able to catch waves and you’ll get tired quickly. Your paddling muscles — think shoulders, arms, and back — take time to get strong. While you are still learning to surf, make it a habit to do a paddle warmup every time you get in the water. Practice by paddling out past the lineup and going around a nearby buoy or just paddling up and down the beach when it’s flat. Good technique while paddling is also important; try to paddle so that your hands reach far out in front of you, and stay close to the rails of your board, digging down deep into the water with each stroke. In surfing, it’s not about how fast you paddle but how much energy you get out of each stroke.

•Popping or standing up. Once you’ve caught a wave, you’ll notice that the surfboard will suddenly gain momentum and move forward on its own. It’s time to stand up and ride. To do this properly, place both hands on the deck underneath your armpits. Then, push up and plant your rear foot beside your opposite knee followed by your front foot right underneath your chest. Make sure your feet are centered on the centerline or “stringer” of the surfboard. This whole process of popping up or standing up should happen in a smooth, fluid motion. Once your hands leave the deck, put your focus on your standing form.

•Arch your back. When surfing, form is key. Arch your back when you are paddling and catching waves to ensure that your weight is properly distributed on the board. By keeping your head up, you’ll also be able to spot potential waves more easily. An experienced surfer keeps his head up and back arched while paddling.

•Hand placement. Don’t grab the rails of your surfboard when you “pop-up.” By grabbing your rails, you throw off the balance of your surfboard instead of allowing it to plane evenly over the surface of the water. Before you pop-up or arch your back, place your hands first on top of the deck of the board underneath your armpits. It also helps to lock your elbows. It keeps both your arms straight while your pop-up becomes more even and balanced.

•Go knee-less. Don’t stand up on your board using your knees because it throws off the balance of your surfboard. Use your arms to push your upper body off the ground (and arch your back), and in one fluid motion try to hop to your feet. If you get this right, you’ll be able to take off on faster and bigger waves.

 •Standing or riding. Keep your knees bent when standing and riding the surfboard. Remember, your legs are your shock absorbers — they are needed to maintain balance when traveling over the bumps and movements on water. Stay low and keep both of your knees bent. This will also give you a lower center of gravity, preventing you from tipping over.

•Condition. It won’t hurt to look good while surfing. This summer, use Cream Silk Summer Shine Conditioner after every shampoo. It has aqua-mineral technology that restores moisture to dry hair. Plus, it also has UV blockers that help protect hair from the sun’s harmful rays and a limited-edition summer scent that keeps hair smelling fresh. With Cream Silk, nothing can stop you from shining.

Send your e-mail to Lorraine Lapus at shineallsummer@gmail.com. Tell her how you plan to shine this summer for a chance to win a free instructional with Lorraine.