How good of a swimmer do you have to be to surf?

Question

I want to try surfing if I ever get the chance, but I'm not sure I'm a good enough swimmer to do so. I can swim of course, but I'm not great at it. I've only swum in the ocean once (I live in Minnesota), so I don't know if I have what it takes to come up after being taken down by a wave.

Answer 1

i surfed for about three years before i could really swim .  i'm still not a good swimmer and have never had proper lessons.  in surfing, you're just trying to get to the surface.  not much swimming involved.  even body surfing doesn't really entail swimming.  you sort of bob.  i grew up in the ocean and know how to move with it.  in a pool, i must do all the work and i usually hang out close to the edge or where my feet will touch.  i can swim across and tread, but i wont be racing anyone.

Answer 2

stay calm after wiping out and u need to be able to swim 75ish yards to shore

Answer 3

good enough to keep your head above water. i dont think anyone can really tell u how good.  just dont drown.  thats the only real answer.

Answer 4

I live in Minnesota too! I get out to the ocean about once a year and I'm a fairly good swimmer. If you know how to swim already and can keep your head above the water you'll be fine. When you go under you have to just stay calm and you'll come to the surface. I've never tried surfing though, it could be different. I'd really like to try it as well

Answer 5

As long as you are a decent swimmer, you should be fine. The main thing about the ocean is that it's completely different than a pool or lake.  Unless the lake is large enough, you probably don't have to deal with rip-currents.

I see it every spring and summer... tons of people getting rescued out of rip-currents because they don't know what they're doing.

Your board is not a life-preserver, so if your leash ever snaps, board breaks, whatever, you must learn to swim without it.

Relax, don't panic, and swim towards the shore.  If you're stuck in a rip, swim parallel with the shore.  Don't swim towards the shore as you won't get anywhere.

As for getting hammered by a wave, as long as you can tread water and know a little bit about how to handle swimming vertically, you should be fine.

Just don't try surfing in a place that's not right for beginners.

Get surfing lessons to teach you proper technique and etiquette.

Answer 6

The hardest thing you will need to do is duck dive under waves. You don't really swim, because your legs are not being used to propell yourself. You will need to paddle strong.Once you wipe out, then you will need to swim back to the surface before you drown.

Answer 7

Not incredible but at least able to swim in the ocean and stay calm in a rip tide.  Here's the test I took, go into a local pool, swim for 20 minutes nonstop and than just tread water for 15 minutes without hitting the bottom.  It was'nt hard at all for me.  Hope this helps, if you need training tips e-mail me.

Answer 8

It would be better if you can swim, but not necessarily to be a good swimmer. As long as you know what is going on and not  freaking out when you drop into water, you will be fine. If you want to try surfing, go for it!

Answer 9

Pretty good swimmer if you don't want to die

Answer 10

in my opinion u only need to know the basics. besides ur gonna be on ur board most of the time, unless u bail or fall off ur board. in that case knowing the basics is enuf for surfing. P.S: although sum advanced swimming techniques could be useful.

Answer 11

If you know how to dog paddle you can surf, to get the board started for surfing all surfer use the dog paddle technique.

Answer 12

You have to have a pretty strong kick, because if you get caught in a riptide, bye bye

Do sprints in a local pool, and try some arm exercises with weights. And don't eat before you go in the water. You'll have a better appetite when you emerge.

Answer 13

I pretty much suck at swimming but when it comes to surfing, well I'm awesome. Lol but seriously it doesn't take that much swimming to be a surfer. Just remember that the waves are unpredictable. Always be aware that the waves can turn on you and if they do, be ready. If the waves take you down, don't freak out, just be prepared. Know that the waves can take you down and that you can get away from them. A trick I used for my few first times was to take some one with me. In case the waves do take you down, make sure that y our safe my having a bud or family member with you. Kudoes for surfing!

Answer 14

You should be able to swim back to shore without puking on the sand if you lose your board.

Answer 15

um u don't have to b super good but u do need to know being it's n the ocean and if you were to fall of you'd drown and also you have to paddle out threw waves.

Answer 16

You don't need to be an olumpic swimmer or anything like that, just be confident in the water.  A lot of it comes with practice.  When you get pulled down by a wave, don't immediately start fighting it -- just make sure to cover your head (so it doesn't hit a rock or anything like that) -- and wait a few moments until the surface of the water is calm again -- then allow yourself to swim back up.  Trust me you'll be fine.  I'm a Georgia boy, and I can get by in the ocean, which means you can too. =)