BEGINNER
This is where you start being in contact with surf, a common fact of a Beginner surfer is that they know little to nothing about the ocean, and this is where the adventure begins by sliding on white water waves in shallow sand beaches.
NOVICE
Once a surfer is past the beginner stage of surfing and starts paddling out to catch unbroken waves, they are what could be called “Novice” surfers. These surfers have little ocean awareness, make many mistakes on takeoff, and generally ride horizontally across their waves without performing manoeuvres. They like to be over the top of their surfboard with little leaning of their surfboard onto its rail. Length of ride is the most important aspect to a good ride for Novice surfers.
FOUNDATIONS
As a surfer becomes more experienced and aware while in the ocean, foundation surfers
start position themselves on the peak more correctly, taking-off with more confidence, and performs top-to-bottom manoeuvres as they surf down the line.
They can create speed at take-off and successfully finish their waves more often.
Performingtop-to-bottom move is a key aspect of the performance.
EMERGING
At this stage surfers start to push their performance by attempting bigger and more complete manoeuvers.
They challenge themselves by taking-off from a deeper position on the peak, attack the first manoeuvre of their ride, and continue performing committed manoeuvres for the duration of their rides.
Additionally, they start to experiment with progressive surfing.
Performing committed manoeuvres is a key aspect of their performance.
PRE-ELITE
Surfers at this stage can surf their waves with confidence, displaying deep positioning in the ocean in all types of surf, assertiveness when catching waves, commitment when taking-off, and the ability to perform a large variety of manoeuvres – all with technical proficiency.
For competitive surfers, they know how to prepare and win heats and “back themselves” when under competitive pressure. Making good decisions when in the ocean is a key aspect of their performance.
ELITE
Have all components of performance under their control. They can surf any kind of waves, adjusting their timing and positioning to suit conditions. Their adaptability and self-belief are the keys to success. They act professionally in their free-surfing sessions, pre-surf routines, and pressure management. If they fail, it’s the “moments” that they get wrong rather than their whole performance.
