Dude, forget about ripping turns right away. Your absolute first goal is to master pop-ups and paddling on a big, floaty board—like a longboard or a funboard. It’s all about building muscle memory and wave sense in the whitewater. Consistency is key; get in the water as often as you can, even if it’s messy. This foundation is everything. It teaches you ocean respect, timing, and how to actually catch waves. Everything else—trimming, turning, hanging ten—flows from this solid base. Patience, kook!