Reading and catching waves is arguably the hardest part in surfing and typically takes years of experience to master. All waves break similarly, and although they seem chaotic there is a definite pattern that can be found at each surf break.
This section doesn’t only cover how to catch waves, but also covers how to analyze and predetermine what a wave is going to do before it breaks. Remember that reading waves is essential to catching them. Knowing that you are in the right place to catch them is 90% of the job.
Did you know that if you were in the right place at the right time, you might not even need to paddle to catch a wave? The point we are trying to get across is: when it comes to missing waves, it is not about how well you can paddle, but about your ability to be in the right place at the right time.