Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Water Sports & Extreme Adventures 1

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four beginners sharing their exhausting but thrilling experiences of taking their very first surfing lesson on a windy beach.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   claims they only joined in to avoid disappointing their companions?

2   acknowledges they incorrectly assumed which part of their body would do the most work?

3   was taken aback that a background in another sport offered no real benefit?

4   felt an immense sense of accomplishment for pushing past a personal anxiety?

5   mentions that a specific tip from the instructor completely changed their performance?

6   explains that they found their constant wipeouts to be genuinely funny?

7   admits to having second thoughts about participating after observing the severe weather?

8   struggled to simply carry the gear before the lesson even began?

9   was shocked by how cold the environment was despite being protected?

10   mentions that the physical discomfort persisted long after the activity finished?

Catching the Wave: First Impressions of Surfing

A Liam

I’ve always considered myself reasonably fit, so I took it for granted that surfing would be a breeze. The reality check began before my toes even touched the water. Just carrying the cumbersome foam surfboard across the beach while the gale-force wind threatened to blow it out of my hands was a workout in itself! My biggest misconception, however, was about the physical demands of the sport. I’d always assumed the challenge lay entirely in your legs and maintaining your balance. In truth, you spend ninety percent of your time paddling fiercely against crashing waves. Within twenty minutes, my shoulders were burning, and my arms felt like lead. Despite the sheer exhaustion of constantly being pushed back to the shore, the thrill of the ocean is undeniable. Catching that surge of power as a wave lifts you is an exhilarating rush. I didn’t manage to stand up for more than a second, but that brief taste of success has absolutely hooked me.

B Maya

Stepping out of the car and seeing the grey, churning ocean, my heart immediately sank. The wind was howling, whipping up aggressive white caps, and I honestly debated just staying in the safety of the beachfront café. I’ve always had a mild phobia of deep, unpredictable water, but I forced myself to zip up my wetsuit and march down to the shoreline. Even wrapped in thick neoprene, plunging into the Atlantic was a massive shock to the system; the icy chill absolutely took my breath away. For the first half-hour, I was just trying to survive the onslaught of freezing water hitting my face. Nevertheless, gradually getting the hang of navigating the whitewash was incredibly empowering. I might not have looked graceful, but every time I pulled myself back onto the board after a spectacular wipeout, my confidence grew. By the end of the session, I was completely drained, yet I felt a profound sense of pride for confronting my demons head-on.

C Tom

Having spent years snowboarding, I confidently assumed that transferring my skills to a surfboard would be straightforward. I was utterly mistaken. Unlike the predictable slopes of a snowy mountain, the ocean is a dynamic, moving beast, and my previous experience on a board proved practically useless. I spent the first hour continuously getting flipped upside down and swallowing seawater. It was incredibly frustrating until our instructor pulled me aside. She pointed out that I was looking down at my feet rather than focusing on the horizon when trying to pop up. As soon as I implemented that minor adjustment, everything clicked, and I actually managed to ride a wave all the way to the shallows! The adrenaline rush was out of this world, making all the prior struggles worthwhile. That said, the intense paddling and constant balancing took a serious toll. For the next three days, every single muscle in my upper body ached so much I could barely lift my arms.

D Chloe

I am definitely not what you’d call an adrenaline junkie, and under normal circumstances, I would never voluntarily throw myself into a stormy sea. However, my friends were desperate to book a group lesson, and I ultimately gave in just so I wouldn’t ruin their fun. We trudged down to the beach, shivering in the bracing wind, and I was entirely convinced I was going to hate every minute of it. Surprisingly, the exact opposite happened. Yes, the waves were relentless, and the effort required to paddle out was exhausting, but it was also hilariously chaotic. Every time I clumsily tried to stand, I’d inevitably lose my footing and plunge face-first into the salty water. Rather than getting annoyed, I found the constant, ridiculous falls highly entertaining. We spent more time laughing at each other’s uncoordinated splashes than actually surfing. While I still don’t consider myself a natural, the sheer joy of messing around in the waves completely won me over.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four young adults describing the unspoken rules of surfing etiquette and how they learned to respect experienced surfers in the water.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

1   acknowledges that their actions put other people in the water at risk?

2   was taken aback by a harsh verbal warning from a stranger?

3   believes that demonstrating humility is the key to being accepted by locals?

4   points out that making amends for an error is a crucial part of the culture?

5   overestimated their own abilities before encountering a specific rule?

6   altered their behaviour after witnessing a veteran surfer’s actions?

7   was grateful for the calm and educational approach of an experienced individual?

8   mentions a subtle tactic used to unfairly gain an advantage over others?

9   initially found the unspoken hierarchy of the surfers confusing?

10   regrets a specific incident in which they destroyed another surfer’s wave?

Learning the Ropes: The Unspoken Rules of Surfing

A Liam

When I first took up surfing, I was incredibly overconfident. Having mastered the basics on a foam board, I genuinely believed I was ready to tackle the main peaks. I thought the ocean was a playground where anyone could catch whatever wave they fancied. That illusion was shattered when I committed the ultimate sin: dropping in. I paddled for a beautiful wave, completely oblivious to the fact that an experienced local was already riding it. By dropping down the face of the wave, I entirely ruined his run. I was immediately taken aback when he paddled up and gave me a furious dressing-down in front of everyone. It was utterly humiliating, but I deserved it. Looking back, I wish I had been brave enough to own up to my mistake right then, but I just paddled away in shame. It was a harsh introduction to the rule of priority: the person closest to the breaking part of the wave always has the right of way.

B Chloe

I used to think that catching waves was simply about who could paddle the fastest. I didn’t realise there was a strict, invisible queue. I developed a bad habit of ‘snaking’—a sneaky manoeuvre where you paddle around a surfer who has been waiting longer, just to get closer to the peak and steal their priority. Nobody shouted at me, but I received plenty of icy glares. The turning point came when I spent an afternoon watching a highly respected local veteran. Despite his incredible talent, he never pushed in front of anyone; he simply waited his turn. It made me realise how disrespectful my impatience was. In surfing, if you accidentally cut someone off, offering a sincere apology is absolutely essential. It diffuses tension and shows you respect the established order. Now, I always make sure to make eye contact, nod, and wait my turn. It is far better to miss a good wave than to lose the respect of the line-up.

C Mateo

For a long time, my instinct whenever a massive wall of white water approached was to dive deep and let go of my surfboard. I had no idea that ‘ditching your board’ is considered highly reckless. One day, I let go of my board and the leash stretched out, causing it to hit another surfer’s shoulder. Thankfully, he wasn’t seriously hurt, but I felt terrible knowing my actions had directly jeopardised someone else’s safety. Instead of losing his temper, the guy—a seasoned surfer with decades of experience—paddled over and calmly explained the mechanics of a ‘duck dive’. He made me understand that holding onto your equipment is a fundamental responsibility, as a loose board is essentially a dangerous weapon in the surf. I was incredibly grateful for his constructive criticism. While saying sorry was my immediate reaction, his patient guidance changed my entire approach to tackling heavy surf, proving that true locals protect their spot through education, not just intimidation.

D Zoe

Arriving at a new surf break can be an incredibly intimidating experience. When I first moved to the coast, I found the complex social dynamics of the ‘line-up’ utterly baffling. It seemed like there was a secret code determining who sat where and who got which wave. Initially, I was tempted to paddle straight to the main peak to prove my worth. However, I quickly realised that barging in is the worst thing a newcomer can do. Instead, I chose to sit on the shoulder of the wave, quietly catching the smaller, inside waves that the experienced surfers let pass. Over several months, I learned that earning your place in the water boils down to keeping a low profile and showing deference to the locals. You don’t demand respect; you slowly earn it through patience and good manners. Eventually, the regulars started nodding at me and even calling me onto larger waves. It taught me that in surfing, a modest attitude goes a very long way.

Exercises:   123456