How to convince my parents

Question

I want to take surfing serriously since i love it so much but i dont no how to convince my parents that i want to do it all the time since they dont like making the trip all the time to the beach since i live an hour away...how do i convince them

Answer 1

Simply explain it to them in a very friendly way. Talk it first with something both you and your parents can be interested with and squeeze the topic about your love for surfing.

Answer 2

if you're from NJ you could join the ESA and do a couple of contests. they will meet other parents out there and watch you compete. they'll start getting into it.  

Answer 3

I don't know how old you are, but NJ has one of the best mass transit systems in the east. If you have a board, your parents permission, and a few bucks, you can get there by bus.

http://www.njtransit.com/hp/hp_servlet.s...

If you're a beginner, you can join the NJ Surfing Club and surf with other beginners.

http://njsurfingclub.com/

Print these out and show them to your parents.

Answer 4

I like the ESA suggestion.  They can have people to hang out with and maybe you can hook up with someone else in your locale that so that you can take turns driving.  See your other question about sleep away camps.

Answer 5

i use to live near philly and know how much my parents hated it...i would just try to show them how much you enjoy it and how happy it makes you...maybe try to get some of your friends into it to so you can car pull.

hope this helps

Answer 6

You seem very passionate about surfing. However, you may have to move more slowly than you would like. A desire for Instant Gratification is pretty common with folks your age. You want, what you want, when you want it! A little patience will help (okay, I realize that sounds condescending, especially coming from an old guy, but I'm serious). You say you live in Philly and and an hour away form the beach. I can only deduce from that that you surf at LBI (or your parents are really fast drivers). There are a bunch of great surf shops on LBI, where you can get lessons, rent boards and eventually buy  new board.

It sounds to me like you want a new "shortboard" not so much because you have the skill for it yet, but you have a little tiny bit of envy for the short boards that your friends ride. Slow down, and get good on your funboard, this summer is almost over. You'll be back to school in three weeks. Just start planning for what you want to do  next spring.

Your parents aren't too keen on you surfing for a lot of reasons. For one, it's expensive. Just driving from Philadelphia to the Jersey shore costs a bunch. Believe me, I know, I do it a lot.  Also, lots of northeast city folks don't quite view surfing the way our neighbors in warmer coastal areas in the US or Australia view it. So you have to educate them a little bit. If you really are good in the water, and you are a decent surfer, it is a great, healthy pasttime, that encourages good feelings and good physical conditioning. How good you are in the water may be another concern of their's. They may be worried about you being able to take care of yourself in the ocean. Just because you surf a little, doesn't make you a really skilled "waterperson' yet. Can you re-assure them that you are safe and competent in the ocean?

The ESA suggestion and the New Jersey surf club suggestion are both great ideas, but they can be tough for city dwellers if you don't own a shore house. I know, I don't have one either. When I was your age, I spent all summer at the shore, but things were a lot different in the 60s. I lived at the Jersey shore for years, but I doubt that I could afford to live there now. The shore towns are rapidly becoming a paradise for millionaires. That's why real estate is too expensive for overnight surf camp facilities. And trust me, it is pretty much that expensive all the way down to Georgia.

Let your parents read some of the posts on here, and let them look up surfing on line. I have surfing (well, almost surfing) grandchildren, and I'm thrilled they like the ocean. My son and son-in-law both surf, so it is a great family sport also. (my daughter won't even go in the ocean??). Good luck, and use this winter to your advantage to educate your parents about surfing, and maybe in the spring, they can help you plan next summer's surfing trips. Good luck!

Check out some of these links:

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

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

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

http://hbsnakesurf.com/

http://www.avalonsurfschool.com/index.ht...

http://surf.transworld.net/features/arti...

http://surf.transworld.net/features/arti...

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/surfings...

Answer 7

They don't want you to get eaten by a shark!!!

Answer 8

tell your parents how much you love the sport. well actually its more of a lifestyle to surf that a sport. anyway, tell them how much you love surfing and you think it may be a new passion. if they see how committed you are and how much you love it, they might take you more often. i hope this helps. have fun surfing!