What goes up, must come down! So wiping out, or falling off, is just part of surfing fun.

We know that you can’t always dictate when or how you fall, but there are a few things you can do to fall safely.

The golden rule: protect ya head! Not just when you fall, but when resurfacing too. Not only do sandbanks – much like the ones we have at Scarborough or Brighton Beach – pose a risk to neck and spinal injury, but your board is also likely to fly back and hit your head.

The best way to fall is by using the starfish technique, especially when wiping out over a shallow sandbank, rock or reef. Try to fall either to the side or the back of the board and spread your arms and legs out like a, well, starfish.

If you are comfortable enough in the ocean, it can be a good idea to stay under the water a little longer after you wipeout. This way the surfboard has time to settle back onto the water if it has been flung into the air above your head during the wipeout.

Remember to always stay relaxed and calm, and go with the waves rather than against.