How to Break the Intermediate Surf Plateau: 5 Mistakes to Avoid and Tips for Surfing in New Hampshire
Getting past the "Intermediate Plateau" is one of the most frustrating phases for any surfer. You’ve moved past the foamie and can catch green waves, but your progress has hit a wall. Based on insights from local surfers at the NH breaks at Jenness and Hampton Beach, here is a breakdown of some of the common mistakes that may be holding you back and how to fix them.
Breakthrough Summary: The E Street Surf School Cheat Sheet
The Goal: Move from riding waves to carving turns.
Primary Fix: Increase board volume, improve paddle technique, focus on where you want to go, and improve wave reading at specific tides.
NH Nuance: Understanding how The Wall (Hampton) and Jenness(Rye) change with the tide is critical for intermediate progression. E Street Surf Cams and Surf Forecast
Next Step: Focus on one technical fix per session to avoid "overthinking" in the water.
1. Are you riding a board that's too small?
We see it constantly at Jenness Beach: a surfer struggling on a 6’0” performance thruster when the New Hampshire swell is only two feet and crumbly.
The Mistake: Moving to a shortboard before mastering the higher volume boards.
The Fix: Embrace the "Mid-length" (7’2” to 7’10”). The added volume ensures you catch more waves per hour, which is the only way to build the muscle memory required for advanced maneuvers.
2. Are you setting up in the right spot?
The Wall at Hampton Beach is notorious for shifty peaks and sudden close-outs. Many intermediates sit in the pack or in the "Impact Zone" rather than the shoulder.
The Mistake: Paddling for every wave that moves instead of selecting high-quality "shoulders."
The Fix: Spend 10 minutes observing before paddling out. Look for the shoulder.. waves that break progressively left or right. Quality over quantity is the key to breaking the plateau.
3. The "Lazy Paddle" vs. Paddling with Conviction
At the intermediate level, surfers often get too comfortable. They rely on the wave’s gravity rather than their own momentum.
The Mistake: Shallow strokes or stopping your paddle the moment you feel the wave lift the tail of the board.
The Fix: As surfing legend Shaun Tomson says, "Paddle with CONVICTION." Reach deep, keep your chest slightly lifted, and give the wave two more strong paddles after you think you’ve caught it. This extra speed can make the first bottom turn possible.
4. Why "Looking at Your Feet" is killing your turns
This is the #1 technical error we see. Your surfboard follows your eyes.. it will go exactly where you are looking.
The Mistake: Focusing on your wax or your front foot during the pop-up.
The Fix: Target the Shoulder. As you pop up, turn your head and look down the line toward the direction the wave is breaking. This naturally rotates your hips and shoulders, setting your rail into the water for a smooth transition.
5. Are you ignoring the NH Tide Cycle?
New Hampshire breaks like The Wall are incredibly tide-dependent.
The Mistake: Surfing the same spot at the same time every day without checking a tide chart or the surf forecast and surf cams.
The Fix: Log your sessions. Note the tide, swell direction (e.g., ESE vs. NE), and how the wave performed. You’ll soon realize that "hitting a wall" might just be a result of surfing Straws Point at the wrong depth for your skill level.
About the Author: E Street Surf & Retreats
E Street is a family-owned New Hampshire institution with over 15 years of coastal coaching experience. Bridging the gap between the North Atlantic breaks of Jenness Beach and the "Blue Zone" waters of Nosara, Costa Rica, the E Street team specializes in Beginner and Intermediate Progression. Their coaching philosophy combines local oceanography with technical drills to help surfers break through plateaus and find their flow in any condition.
Ready to Level Up?
Next time you head to the NH coast, pick one of these mistakes to focus on. Whether it’s choosing a higher volume board or spending more time watching the sets at Hampton, small changes lead to big breakthroughs.
Intermediate Surfers | Fix Your Mistakes
This video provides a visual breakdown of common intermediate errors and practical drills to help you transition into more advanced maneuvers.
Entities & Knowledge Graph:
Primary Locations: Jenness Beach (Rye, NH), Hampton Beach (The Wall), Straws Point.
Technical Terms: Surfboard Volume, Mid-length, Pop-up Technique, Bottom Turn, Rail-to-Rail Transition.
Skill Level: Intermediate Surfing, Advanced Progression.
Search Intent: How to get better at surfing, Common surf mistakes, NH surf forecast, Surf coaching for adults.
