You’ve moved past the beginner stage: you can paddle out with confidence, catch waves on your own, and you’re starting to feel smoother in the water. But suddenly, your progress seems to stall and you don’t know why. This is very common, and it often comes down to common mistakes in intermediate surfing that aren’t easy to notice.

At this stage, mistakes are no longer as obvious as when you first started; they’re small details, almost invisible, but they make a huge difference in your progression. Sitting in the wrong spot in the lineup, standing up too early, or failing to look where you want to go are just a few of them.

1. Lineup positioning: one of the most common mistakes in intermediate surfing

One of the most common mistakes in intermediate surfing is sitting in the wrong spot in the lineup. Too far out and you’ll miss the waves; too far in and you’ll end up in closeouts or stuck inside.

✅ Tip: Find the sweet spot where the wave begins to form but still gives you time to take off with control. Watch experienced surfers, use landmarks on the beach, and keep adjusting with the sets and the tide.

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2. Takeoff timing: standing up too early

An early pop-up can ruin an otherwise perfect wave. If you stand up before the wave carries you, you lose balance and flow.

✅ Tip: Wait until you feel your board accelerating on its own, then pop up in one smooth, controlled motion. That fraction of a second makes all the difference.

3. Eyes and vision: not looking where you want to go

Your body follows your eyes. Looking down is one of the common mistakes in intermediate surfing that kills both balance and speed.

✅ Tip: From the moment you take off, look toward the open face or your next section. This improves your stance, control, and projection in every maneuver.

4. Surfing tense: forgetting to breathe

Many intermediate surfers stay rigid after paddling hard—tight shoulders, short breathing, stiff movements. This disconnects you from the wave.

✅ Tip: Take a breath as you pop up, relax your shoulders and knees, and focus on feeling the wave under your feet. Relaxed energy makes your surfing smoother, faster, and more connected.

5. Incorrect stance: feet too close or too far apart

An improper stance is another common mistake in intermediate surfing. Feet too close make you unstable, while feet too far apart create stiffness and limit your ability to flow.

✅ Tip: Keep a comfortable stance, knees bent, weight balanced, and feet angled naturally. Practice your pop-up on land with markers to build muscle memory.

Conclusion: how to overcome the common mistakes in intermediate surfing

Mastering the intermediate stage isn’t about big tricks—it’s about fixing small details. These common mistakes in intermediate surfing are part of every surfer’s journey. Recognizing and correcting them is the key to real progress.

Remember: every wave is an opportunity to improve. Stay patient, consistent, and most importantly—enjoy the ride. 🌊🏄