Ok, first of all check your board to see is it has got wax on it? The wax is applied to the top of the board allowing your feet to grip to it when in the water. The wax is rubbed in a circular motion and thin layer should cover about two thirds of the way up the board where your front and rear feet will be. If you are unsure you can take your fins out or sink them in the sand and stand on your board to see where your feet feel comfortable. While you are there you can practice standing up from the lying down position. First of all you need to find out which will be your front foot. Practice both positions and see which is the most comfortable and natural. Start by lying on the board with your feet at the rear of the board and your hands under your chest. Push yourself up as if you are doing a ‘push up' and then swing your front leg up underneath you and pop into a standing position. You can cheat and get on one knee first and then to the standing position. Once you are up, keep your knees bent and your feet about a meter apart keeping a low centre of gravity for balance. Keep your eyes focused on where you want to go and not at your feet else you are going to just go head first into the water.

Now you have practiced it on the sand its time to attach your leash and get wet! You don't want to get to ambitious first time in the water, keep in a depth where you can stand and hold your board to the side of you pointing forward while you walk out to prevent any waves pushing the board into you. When you are comfortable, lie on your board and have a practice paddle to get your balance. When you see a wave coming turn your board around to face the beach and lie on your board, as the white water is about to touch the end of you board you need to push up to stop the nose dipping into the water like you did on the beach. The wave will start to take you along with it and you will feel yourself being propelled by the force of the wave. Practice keeping your balance by distributing your weight left and right. When you think you feel comfortably balanced you can try popping into the crouching position. You're probably not going to get it first time but the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy it.