Beginner surfer advice?

Question

Does anyone have suggestions for someone beginning to surf? Do beginners start on a long or short board? I will be getting lessons but any tips in advance that would make this easier would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Buy a longboard and get lessons.

Check out my website for additional surfing information at http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 2

i would start longboard

Answer 3

mhmm start on a longboard and gradually lower down to maybe a hybrid or a funboard, then eventually a shortboard.

haveee fun

Answer 4

I started off on a shortboard, but one that was designed for someone bigger than me. Longboards have a more friendly learning curve, they are easier to paddle, stand up on, and learn the basics on. However if you're hard headed like me and insist on starting off with a shortboard, get a board that is sized for someone 20-50 lbs heavier than you. It won't give you the same paddle/stability that a longboard will, but it will be tons easier than a shortboard tailor made to a rider of your weight.

When you improve and are ready for a smaller board, you still don't have to ditch the original one. I still have the big shortboard that I learned on and still love using it on small days :)

Answer 5

its better to start of in a long board just while you get al the techniques really well. dont worry the surf lessons are really helpful u learned about the ocean which is really good.  just practice swimming and staying calm under water. go to the beach and swim towards waves.

Answer 6

if you're starting at a beach that has a shore break I would get a board that's like 7"6-7'8 so mid size but if it's at a point break then I would get a longer board like anywere from 8 ft - 9ft. Paddelings key you have to start pretty soonand paddle HARD!! Im sure you'll instructor we'll help you on that good luck. Also for going out you can try turtleing wich is when you paddle out and then flip you're board upside down with you under it while going under the wave ask you're instructor to show you how to do that.

Answer 7

For some reason, it seems like somebody asks this same question at least once every ten days! Chris K already said it. If you just had taken the time to read the earlier questions and answers, we might have already put all the information you need out there for you.

Surfing is an ocean sport. before you decide to surf, decide to know and understand the ocean. Learn to be at home with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes BIG waves. The original surfers were watermen (and women, both men and women surfed, but certain waves were reserved for royalty).

I spent almost all of my teen years, swimming, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and fishing. I even surfed in different places the Navy sent me, when it was possible.

There are good things about both long and short boards. I ride both (one at a time , of course). In the mid sixties, like almost everybody else, I started on a longboard. I went shorter and shorter every summer, during the 'short board revolution.' I have found some days that were just too small anything but a longboard. Just riding one size board is very limiting, conditions change daily in most places.

Surfing is an ocean sport, to do it right, you have to be at home in the ocean, with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes big waves. I don't just mean being good at swimming in a pool, the ocean can be very unforgiving. I have seen lots of really good pool swimmers have to get rescued. 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. You can't do that without an ocean.

Lessons are usually the best way to start, unless you are an adolescent or young adult with lots of pals who surf who can teach you. Go to a real surf shop. The folks there can hook you up with lessons, and even rent you a board to learn on. (and, it's going to be either a longboard or a funboard [mini-mal]) Just work on your basics, and after you feel good, think about buying a board, but don't rush into anything. It's only fair top tell you that you won't find anything decent for "a couple hundred $$". For that price, you are looking at a used board in poor shape (or stolen). You can't even get a good siofttop for two hundred $. And, please don't waste your time (or money) buying something on line.

Be careful of what you read here on line. There are lots of really well meaning young folks who have neat answers about surfing, but at 55, I tend to classify anyone under 25 as a kid. After I found this site, I figured that I could answer a few questions, and spread the 'good news' of surfing. After you learn to swim and master the ocean, get your REAL advice from a surf shop, where industry professionals earn their rent money selling surfboards. However, if they think you are just a 'kook' tourist out to rent a board, you won't necessarily get the best attention.

Most people learn best on long boards, although I have seen lots of surfers start on a short board and master it. In the long run, there are NO RULES on waht type of board you haven to learn on. Long boards are ideal for learners. There are also good internediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals and some hybrids. That is why instructors use long boards of fun boards (or even softtops).

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer. The pros there can give you the right answers!!

Good luck. Once you try surfing (and learn the 'right way') you'll have fun for life.

Take the time to check out the links, especially surfingforlife.

http://www.surfingforlife.com/history.ht...

http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

http://360guide.info/surfing/surfboard-t...