Hiw good of a swimer do you have to be to safely surf?

Question

anybody no

Answer 1

be a good swimmer to start be an excellent swimmer if you plan to travel and surf

Answer 2

you should be alright  as long as it is a regular day, and there isn't any big swell coming in. just look at it if your scared and  don't feel comfortable don't go in, only you know your swimming ability.

Answer 3

Honestly, you have to be able to surf and swim like you don't have a leash. The last thing you want to do be a danger to everyone else. Your surfboard is not a life-saving device, and shouldn't be used as one. Exception is if you're helping someone else out, or anything like that. But don't expect your board to always be there. c**p happens. Broken leashes and broken boards happen. Wet suits help with buoyancy , but again, you have to know how to swim.

I'd say you have to have a good level of swimming ability where you know how to handle and respect the ocean. It's completely different from the calm waters of a pool, or even a wave pool. Rip currents and marine animals are just the tip of the iceberg.

I would definitely take swim lessons for a while. If you want to learn to surf, make sure it's a smaller day, and possibly have surf lessons/ surf camp. It'll help you learn etiquette along with good habits and techniques.

Answer 4

It's all about confidence really, and getting used to paddling on your board.  You will be swimming, but you'll always have the aid of a board so it won't be like your traditional swimming.

Whenever you wipe out, just remain calm and realize if you are held under the water, it's only going to be for maybe 10 seconds maximum: just get a big breath of air before you go under.  

As for paddling on a board, that just takes practice.  I have a friend who is very good at swimming, but when he first tried surfing it was very different for him to paddle.  Practice, practice, practice :)

Answer 5

Surfing is an ocean sport. The ocean is an incredible thing. It gives us beauty, food, pleasure yet it is incredibly powerful and dangerous. To be a competent and safe surfer, you need to be a good ocean swimmer, not a good pool swimmer. There is a serious difference, and I have seen lots of good pool swimmers get rescued.

I am sure that at some (maybe even most) breaks on a nice, easy days, any average swimmer will be okay. But there are days with incredible rip tides, with BIG waves, heavy undertows and strong currents that will result in a large scale search by the beach patrol and coast guard for the body of an average swimmer who tried to surf in those conditions. Don't forget, all of the original surfers, and many of our current best are 'watermen,' folks who are at home swimming surfing, snorkeling, diving, and paddling in the ocean.

It can take many times  more work to paddle out and get to the line up than it does catch and ride waves. Wiping out on a day like that can be disastrous for a poor ocean swimmer. So, learn to swim in the ocean. Feel at home in it. Don't be afraid of it, but respect it. And then surf!

Answer 6

If your serious about surfing then you should be very confident in your swimming abilities, if your struggling in the lineup then your a danger to yourself and to others. If your not confident then find yourself a shallow uncrowded break and give it a shot but don't bite off more than you can chew.

Answer 7

If your into big wave surfing you should be a good swimmer. Especially when getting beat up during sets if you dont have at least an intermediate (i would say) understanding of it you could be risking your life. Recommend going to your local pool at least three times a day and swimming or even in the ocean its best against currents it builds endurance and helps with surfing

Answer 8

Girl, you have to be a dam good swimmer to surf, especially here in Hawaii.  We've got some pumping waves, with heavy undertows and strong currents, not to mention that we're surrounded by the coral reef.  If you're not very good at swimming, then you're probably not going to be very good at surfing.  Perhaps you should try body surfing or boogie boarding  first.... Good luck.... =P