The most common beginner surf mistake is riding a board that's too small. A bigger board catches more waves, paddles easier, and gives you more time to stand up. After that, it's surfing the wrong beach for your level, not watching the ocean before paddling out, and looking down during the popup. Every one of these has a simple fix.
1. Riding a board that's too small
This is the number one mistake, and it's driven by ego. People see shortboards and think that's "real" surfing. But a 6'0 shortboard needs strong paddle fitness, precise timing, and solid technique — things beginners haven't developed yet.
The fix: Start on an 8'6 foam board. No exceptions. You'll catch five times more waves, stand up sooner, and actually progress faster because you're spending time surfing instead of floundering. Our surfboard guide breaks down which board suits which level.
2. Surfing at the wrong time of day
In the Aljezur area — and across most of the Portuguese coast — mornings are almost always better than afternoons. The reason is wind. By early afternoon, the thermal onshore wind (called the "nortada" in summer) picks up and turns clean waves into choppy mess.
The fix: Surf early. Be in the water by 8-9am if you can. If mornings aren't possible, evenings often work too — the wind frequently drops after 6pm. The midday to 3pm window is usually the worst. Check our guide to reading surf conditions for more on timing your sessions.
3. Not watching the waves before paddling out
New surfers arrive at the beach, pull on the wetsuit, and head straight into the water. They haven't noticed where the waves are breaking, where the channels are, where other surfers are positioned, or how big the sets actually are.
The fix: Spend 10 minutes watching from the beach before you paddle out. Look for:
- Where the waves break consistently (that's the lineup)
- Where the water is calmer and deeper (that's your paddle-out channel)
- How long between sets (so you can time your entry)
- Where other surfers are catching waves (they know the spot better than you)
Ten minutes of observation saves you 30 minutes of frustration in the water.
4. Paddling with your arms instead of your whole body
Beginners tend to paddle like they're doing freestyle swimming — arms only, body flat and rigid. This is exhausting and slow.
The fix: Engage your whole upper body. Your chest should be slightly raised (like a gentle cobra position), your back slightly arched to put your weight forward. Paddle with deep, long strokes — reach forward, pull all the way back to your hip. Your body should rock slightly with each stroke, not stay rigid. The power comes from your lats and core, not just your arms.
Good paddling is the single most useful skill in surfing. It determines how many waves you catch, how easily you get out, and how tired you are at the end. Practice it consciously.
5. Looking down during the popup
This is instinctive and hard to fix. When you pop up, you look at your feet to check they're in the right place. But where you look is where you go — and looking down sends your weight forward and your balance off.
The fix: Look where you want to go. As you stand, your eyes should be up and forward — looking down the line of the wave, or toward the beach. Your feet will find their position. Trust the muscle memory you've built from practising the popup on the beach.
We cover the popup mechanics in detail in our popup technique guide, including drills you can practise at your accommodation.
6. Standing too far back on the board
If your weight is too far back, the nose of the board lifts and you lose speed. The wave passes under you or you stall in the whitewash. It feels like you're catching the wave but never really going anywhere.
The fix: When lying on the board, position yourself so the nose is just 2-3 inches above the water — not pointing skyward. When you stand, your front foot should be roughly where your chest was when lying down. If the nose keeps rising when you stand, shuffle your whole stance forward an inch.
7. Surfing the wrong beach for your level
Not every beach is appropriate for every surfer. A beginner at Amoreira on a solid swell day is going to have a bad time — strong currents, powerful waves, and no easy paddle-out channel. Meanwhile, Monte Clérigo on the same day might be perfectly manageable.
The fix: Match the beach to your ability, not the other way around. Around Aljezur:
| Your level | Good choices | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Complete beginner | Monte Clérigo, Arrifana centre | Amoreira, Vale Figueiras on big days |
| Confident beginner | Arrifana, Monte Clérigo | Amoreira on solid swells |
| Intermediate | All beaches depending on conditions | Nothing — but check conditions first |
Our Arrifana guide and Monte Clérigo guide have detailed breakdowns of each beach by condition and level.
8. Not resting enough
Surfing is physically demanding in a way that surprises people. Your arms get destroyed from paddling. Your core is constantly working. The cold water burns extra calories. By day two of a surf trip, most beginners can barely raise their arms.
The fix: Plan rest days. On a week-long trip, surf four or five days, not seven. Keep sessions to 60-90 minutes — when your paddling weakens, you can't catch waves, so there's no point staying out. Eat well, stretch, and hydrate. The one-week Aljezur itinerary builds rest days into the schedule.
9. Fighting the whitewash instead of getting through it
On the paddle out, you'll meet walls of broken whitewash pushing you back toward the beach. Beginners tend to sit upright on the board and take each wave on the chest, getting pushed back with every one.
The fix: On a foam board, use the turtle roll — flip the board upside down, hold the rails, and let the whitewash pass over you. Keep your body close to the board and grip tightly. Flip back over and paddle hard before the next wave arrives.
Timing matters too. Paddle out during a lull between sets, not into the middle of a set. And use the channels — the deeper sections where waves don't break as hard. You identified these during your 10 minutes of observation (see mistake #3).
10. Giving up too early
Here's something we've seen hundreds of times: someone has a rough first session, feels frustrated and exhausted, and thinks surfing isn't for them. Then they come back the next day, or the day after, and suddenly it clicks.
The fix: Commit to at least three sessions before making any judgement. Day one is overwhelming — new environment, new muscles, new skills all at once. Day two your body starts to adapt. Day three is usually when people catch their first real wave and understand what all the fuss is about.
If you're on a week-long trip, the progression from day one to day five is dramatic. Give yourself the time.
FAQ
What's the single most important thing for a beginner surfer?
Ride a big board. A 8'6 foam longboard catches waves easily, is stable, and lets you actually practise standing up instead of just paddling and missing everything. Board size trumps technique, fitness, and wave quality when you're starting out.
How many surf sessions before I can ride green (unbroken) waves?
Most people start catching green waves somewhere between their 5th and 15th session, depending on conditions, the board they're riding, and how quickly they develop paddle fitness. Consistent practice matters more than total sessions — five days in a row beats five weekends spread over months.
Should I take a surf lesson or just rent a board?
If you've never surfed before, take at least one lesson. An instructor teaches you the popup, wave selection, and safety fundamentals in 90 minutes — things that take days to figure out alone. After that lesson, rent a board and practise what you've learned. That combination gives you the fastest progression.
Is surfing harder than it looks?
Yes. The standing-up part gets all the attention, but the hardest thing is actually paddling out, catching the wave at the right moment, and being in the right position. These skills take time. The good news is that even clumsy, messy surfing is fun — and every session gets a little easier.
How do I know which beach to go to?
Check conditions before you go. Wind direction, swell size, and tide all affect which beach works best. Our guide to reading surf conditions explains what to look for, and we share daily recommendations with our renters based on the forecast.
Renting gear for your first surf trip? We deliver boards, wetsuits, and honest advice to your accommodation in Aljezur. Check our pricing or get in touch — we'll make sure you've got the right setup from day one.