Learn to Surf – A Beginner’s Guide to Safe Surfing

Learn to Surf: A Beginner’s Guide to Safe Surfing is a beginner surf manual by David & Suzie Dorn.

This book grew out of decades of real-world experience teaching people how to surf, helping new students prepare for their first lessons, and giving beginners a clearer understanding of what to expect before they paddle out.

The original idea began many years ago as a simple student handout called Surfing 101. It was created to help new surfers remember the basics after a lesson. Over time, that handout evolved into an online guide and eventually into this more complete beginner surf manual.

A Practical Guide for Beginner Surfers

Learn to Surf is written for people who are new to surfing, preparing for a first surf lesson, returning after time away from the ocean, or looking for a clearer foundation before continuing their surfing journey.

The goal is simple: help beginners feel more prepared, more confident, and more aware of the ocean environment.

The book covers essential beginner topics, including getting ready for a surf lesson, choosing and understanding beginner surfboards, paddling, sitting on the board, finding the takeoff zone, catching a wave, standing up, steering, turning, sharing waves, surf etiquette, ocean safety, and what to do when things do not go perfectly.

Safe Surfing Matters

Surfing is fun, exciting, and unforgettable, but it also takes place in a changing ocean environment. Waves, wind, currents, boards, other surfers, shallow water, reefs, rocks, and fatigue can all affect the experience.

That is why safety has always been central to David and Suzie’s approach to teaching watersports.

This book is not intended to replace a professional surf lesson. In fact, one of its main messages is that the best way to learn surfing is with a qualified instructor in appropriate beginner conditions.

Instead, Learn to Surf is designed to support that learning process. It can help new surfers prepare before a lesson, review what they learned afterward, and better understand the habits, awareness, and decisions that help make surfing safer and more enjoyable.

Book One of the Learn to Surf Series

Learn to Surf: A Beginner’s Guide to Safe Surfing is Book One of the Learn to Surf series.

The larger series explores the world of ocean and watersports instruction, building on decades of practical teaching experience and helping readers develop their skills, knowledge, safety awareness, and confidence on the water.

This first book focuses on the first doorway: helping beginners get started with a strong foundation.

About David & Suzie Dorn

David Dorn is a professional surfing instructor, watersports educator, and trainer with more than three decades of teaching experience. He has built and operated surfing schools and watersports centers, teaching surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and wingsurfing to students from around the world.

Beyond surfing, David played a leading role in the development of professional instructor training programs within the international kiteboarding industry. He served as a Training Master for both national and international instructor certification organizations, helping to develop training standards and educate thousands of instructors worldwide through instructor courses, trainer programs, and international conferences.

Suzie Dorn has run the surf school operation for more than 20 years and has been central to the daily experience of students, families, instructors, and guests. She brings decades of watersports experience, world travel, hands-on operations, and a lifelong connection to ocean-based learning.

Together, David & Suzie Dorn bring the practical knowledge of professional instruction and the heart of a family-run surf school to this beginner surf manual.

Now Available

Learn to Surf: A Beginner’s Guide to Safe Surfing is now available on Amazon.

This beginner surf manual brings together more than three decades of surf teaching experience, ocean safety knowledge, beginner technique, surf etiquette, equipment guidance, and practical lessons for new surfers.

Read Learn to Surf on Amazon Kindle

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