We’re not talk about having the newest and coolest gear, just the right gear for the situation.

Always , always, always use a leash (see tip no.3) but don’t put it on ’til you get to the water edge to avoid tripping over yourself on the way down.

Don’t forget to wax your board! An unwaxed board is the most frequent mistake you see beginners make and it does make a difference.

On the same note, make sure you don’t carry your board in a way that menas the wax is going to end up all over your wetsuit.

Make sure you’re kitted up correctly for the weather. Booties are not needed when it’s warm, neither is a heavy 4 or 5mm wetsuit.

There are thousands of options out there for you to choose from so figure out what works best for you.