Article: A foam surfboard will be lightweight and easy to use. Make sure you're on a beach with waves that break far out instead of waves that break right on the beach these waves are ideal for surfing. Check the weather, too. Bad weather could lead to an unfortunate accident. And as for the shoreline, stick for something that isn't too rocky. That's a recipe for disaster. If you have a leash, put it around your ankle. This will prevent you from losing your board. Once your board is in the water, lay on your stomach and start paddling one arm and then the other. Paddle over the forming waves, going far back to where the waves are just mere currents. When you're ready, turn your board around and start paddling forward. You will probably catch a wave. When you do, put your hands on the board and lift your body up onto your feet. Start off crouching low and then slowly stand up with your arms out for balance. Do this until you get to shore. You want to be there and ready when it begins to roll over but before it actually does. As you come over it's edge, raise your torso up with your arms on either side of the board. Then, if you are a righty, put your left foot in front of your body and use it to lift up your right foot. Then ride the wave left or right as it crashes behind you. For a while, you're going to be snapped off your surfboard by the water. Don't get discouraged; each time you go out into the water, you're perfecting just what it is you have to do. It's a normal part of the learning curve. Combine the following factors to form a solid foundation. This will enable you to stay stable and get the maximum ride out of the wave. Place your front foot on the chest line and in a direction that goes across the deck, your back foot is placed so your legs are slightly wider than shoulder width. Keep your knees bent at all times. This will lower your center of gravity and assist you in keeping your balance on the surfboard. Push your hips forward to transfer your weight onto the front leg. Your back leg should dip in slightly to make your stance more comfortable and give you more style. Keep your arms up, especially your front arm. Out stretch your front arm so you are reaching for the nose of the surfboard, your back arm should also be outstretched but don't worry too much about it. Position your head up and looking forward. If your front arm is up, your head should be looking straight along it. Keeping your head up has been mentioned through a lot of my articles and is a major contributor in you achieving the best result from your surfing. Once catching a wave, your hands should be at about half of the board's length and your head should be about 34 feet (0.91.2m) away from the front of the board. Keep your arms up in "surfer's position" to establish directionality as you ride the wave and apply pressure or extra needed weight onto your front foot in accordance with your arms in order to steer. Stand with your dominant foot on the middle of the board and your back foot about 23 feet (0.60.9m) away from the back of the board.

What is a summary?
For beginners, use a foam surfboard on the right beach. Take your board and get in the water. When a wave comes, paddle to catch up with it. Ride the wave. Keep your momentum going.