Surfing System

AQUA SURF School’s System of Teaching Surfing Lessons

The following BAPS system is AQUA SURF School's process of teaching the land techniques in-part with the surfing instruction. This part of our teaching system takes approximately 30 - 45 minutes. All of our surfing instructors have been trained in using this system of teaching.

B.A.P.S. stands for: Board, Approach, Paddle & Pop-Up, Safety

B is for: Board
The board segment will cover: nose, stringer, rails, fins, tail, deck, leash, rocker, sweet spot and the positioning that is right for you.

A is for: Approach
The approach portion covers how to get out there passed the white water. We teach what to do for small waves and bigger waves, how to be mindful of others in the water, and proper surfing techniques and attitude.
- Paddling Techniques
- Proper Positioning - Repositioning
- 3 P’s:
  - Paddle – to build momentum to push through the white water
  - Push up – as the white water hits and allowing the water go through
  - Paddle – to keep from getting pulled back and to push yourself out there
- T-Shape – keeping the board perpendicular to the incoming waves
- Turtle Roll - for larger waves and safety
- Surfer's Etiquette – who has the right of way on a wave, controlling the board and the basic rules of the water
- Timing - Turning - Thinking Ahead
- Rip Tides - Water Currents
- Nutrition (optional)
- Aloha Surf Spirit

P is for: Paddle & Pop-Up
We go over these specific techniques in depth to ensure success. We cover the mind first and then the body. Since the mind controls the body, it is important to have the right attitude.
- Mind
  - First, we clear the mind.
  - Second, if we have any negative thoughts, we don't go for the wave, and we focus on clearing the mind.
  - Third, we visualize and/or imagine our success by seeing the wave we want to catch in our minds and how we want to ride it.
- Body
  - First, we check our position by looking at the nose and aligning our vertebrae with our stringer.
  - Second, we look to make sure the coast is clear.
  - Third, we look at the wave and determine how hard we need to paddle.
  - Then we pop-up in the sweet spot of the surf board and shoot our hands out for balance.
    
    ** Please note: The pop-up technique we teach works for 95% of people, but in some cases we will also incorporate a 3-step technique in getting up, its called: the step-up.

S is for: Safety
Water Safety is emphasized. Below are some of the main points covered:
- Retouch on etiquette
- Covering the head properly
- Starfish and sand shuffle
- No diving off of your surf board rule

In addition, it is important that all of the instructors at AQUA SURF School add their own personalization to the surf instruction while staying within the system we have already created. We are always open to innovation and improvements to our system. Overall, being organized and implementing an effective teaching system helps ensure the overall quality of surf instruction to the thousands of people that we teach yearly.