How to film your surfing so it can be analysed
An instructor can only correct what they can see. A good video makes the difference between a generic analysis and one that tells you exactly what to change in your next session. These are the points that matter most.
Where to film from
The easiest option is to film from the shore or from a high point near the peak, with the phone resting on something or held by a friend. If someone can film you from the water, even better: stance and feet are easier to see.
- Stand side-on to the wave, not behind the surfer.
- Use zoom sparingly: if the image shakes a lot, a wider shot is better.
- Avoid filming into the sun: a dark silhouette hides the details.
What the video needs to show
- Your whole body, from the paddle to the end of the wave.
- 3 to 5 waves: with just one, a mistake can't be told apart from a bad moment.
- Film in landscape: you get more of the wave and the ride.
How to send it
If the video is large, send it on WhatsApp as a document rather than as a video: that way it isn't compressed and keeps its quality. Also tell us who is in the video, their level and what they want to improve: it helps focus the analysis.
Mistakes that waste an analysis
- Videos where the surfer is too small or disappears behind the whitewater.
- Cutting the video as soon as you stand up: the most useful part is usually the take-off.
- Only filming waves where you fall straight away: include a few complete waves too.
Want it analysed?
See how the free analysis and the video analysis with Stefano work. When you have your video, write ANÁLISIS on WhatsApp.