How To Learn How To Surf In NYC?

Question

I've been wanting to learn how to surf for various years now. I'm super fascinated by the surf culture and just getting in touch with nature. I live in the heart of New York, more specifically Manhattan. None of my friends or family share the same desire to learn how to surf, so I pretty much alone on that. I was wondering where can I go to learn, and maybe make some friends in the process who enjoy surfing as well?

Answer 1

Ther are lots of places to surf near NYC. Folks even surf in Brooklyn. Rockaway is not a bad suggestion, but my son lives in Staten island (USCG) and he won't go in the water in the city, and I trust his judgement on that. You don't have to travel too far east on Long Island to run into decent surf spots, or too far south into New Jersey. There is great surfing at Belmar (or is it Belmawr?). I surf south Jersey six months of the year (Atlantic City to Cape May) and it is great. It's usually small in the summer, but great for beginners (or old guys like me).

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.

Take the time time to learn about the ocean. Go swimming, body surfing and body boarding. When you are really comfortable with it, it's time to start surfing.

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. Just work on your basics, and after you feel good, think about buying a board, but don't rush into anything.

I know for a fact there are lots of good surf shops in New Jersey, so take a ride down the Parkway some weekend.

Check out this link, it has great info on surf spots around the world.

http://www.surfline.com/home/index.cfm

Good luck, and go for it. I have been surfing for 42 years, and it is the greatest stoke of all.

Answer 2

Hey Suly. Good on you for taking the first step to learning to surf and that is the desire to surf. You can be a surfer where ever you are, even downtown Manhattan. I can't suggest anywhere to surf where you are (because I live on the east coast of NSW Australia) but you are welcome to come down here. You can surf by yourself but if you want to really get into it associate yourself with other like minded people, organise a trip to the coast and team up with the local surf school.

Be prepared to fall off A LOT, but the key to surfing is persistance and once you stand up for the first time you will be totally stoked from then on.

Hopefully John.F can shed some light on where to surf for you.

I suppose your normal Jon? Well good luck to ya. why wouldn't you take a 20hr flight to go surfing? I would.

Answer 3

since the normal person doesn't take a 20 hour flight to go surfing in Australia try to go to some local shops around Rockaway beach which is pretty much the main place to surf in NYC its a steep wave and breaks next to a jetty so ask people at local shops in your area such as:http://www.newyorkpipedreams.com/ they will inform you on spots to go and probably even give lessons they will also suggest beginners spot and if you get into surfing start with a big board work your way to a smaller board or you might even prefer longboarding.

Answer 4

well, I live on long island and the best places to surf on LI and probably the closet  for someone who lives in Manhatten is on Long Island.  You got either the Long Beach beaches, or the town beaches, such as Gilgo, Tobay, and Lido.  Surfing in New York is great and you can definietly do it. Good Luck.