I’ve learned to do almost everything in my life on my own, I’ve learned instruments, skateboarding, and all sorts of random other stuff on my own. I was thinking of just buying a board (not one of the beginner floaty ones) and just starting it out and teach my self. What do you think?
I live on the east coast in New England so any board recommendations are appreciated also.
It’s probably harder than you think. Did you learn how to ride a bicycle by yourself? Lessons are the best way to start. Lessons can come from a professional instructor, or surfing family members or experienced surfing friends. You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don’t want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave. The last thing experienced surfers want is for inexperienced people to just grab a board, rush into the surf and get in our way. Lessons shorten the learning curve significantly. And they help keep ignorant, un-prepared kooks out of the water and out of the way of more experienced surfers.
While any of the board sports (skate, snow, wake etc.) will help you improve your balance, beyond that they have no relation to surfing. Most of the time spent surfing is spent paddling; either paddling out, or paddling to catch a wave. Surfing is an ocean sport, that should only be practiced by persons who are already competent ocean swimmers. Swimming in a pool is neat, but it’s not ocean swimming, with undertows, rip tides and sometimes big waves. I have seen lots of great pool swimmers get rescued. So, my first tip on how to surf is to be at home in the ocean.There are way too many dangerous people in the water now. They are a danger to themselves and other surfers, don’t join their ranks.
You may already have the ocean skills, we don’t know too much about you.
Beginners should take advantage of renting boards and wetsuits while taking lessons. If it turns out you don’t like surfing, you haven’t wasted a whole lot of money on gear that you are not going to use. When you are ready to buy, don’t waste your time on line, go to a good local surf shop to discuss your size (weight is import, height isn’t), skill level and local wave conditions. After 44 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice from good local shops in the places where i surf. A surf shop is also the best place to find information on instructors. There are all types of intsruction, some is inexpensive, and some is costly.There is everything from expensive private lessons to very reasonable group sessions.
Almost ALL instructors will start you off on a longboard. It is just too difficult for most people to learn how to surf on a short board. Most get quickly discouraged, and just quit. Now, over the years, I have seen some young surfers start out on short boards and master them in time. There are no RULES on what kind of board you learn on, but it’s just common sense to learn on a long board.
When you are ready to buy your own board, please avoid popouts in general, and especially popouts made in third world country sweat shops by People who have probably never seen the ocean. http://bp3.blogger.com/_hPACOtZKKko/RkST…
Herre is why to avoid ALL popouts:http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm
Anybody who would give you SPECIFIC advice as to what size or type board to buy on-line is foolish. Anybody who would take that advice is more foolish
And, I know there are lots of nice kids who want to share information with you on line. But don’t take the advice from youngsters, who may know even less than you do about surfing, a surfboard is a big investment. Please don’t make a mistake and buy one on line. You don’t know anything nera enough about surfing to make a successful, on-line purchase. I hope you are mature enough to read through the BS that lots of people throw at you on line.
I have been surfing since 1966, and it has provided a lifetime of fun for me. If you take the time to learn the right way, it will be a lifetime of fun for you too.Good Luck
Aloha! Special thanks to Oshen for his glorious music.
Marla visits Cayucos, CA for a weekend of fun. part 3 of 3
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