Is it hard to surf?

Question

Just wandered if it was hard to surf i really want to start =p and you have to be a really good at swimming don't you?

Answer 1

Surfing, like any sport, requires hard work and dedication if you're going to be good at it. However, you don't need to be a professional to go out there and have some fun!

Start by familiarizing yourself with the ocean. While being a strong swimmer helps, if you know how to spot rips and currents you'll save yourself a lot of exertion. Sit on the beach and just watch the movement of the water for a period. Note the way other surfers use this to their advantage. And the sections they avoid.

Next, find a couple of friends and take a lesson. You can do it on your own but friends will help motivate you and will be eager to test out their new skills in the water with you later on. Technique is very important and, much like driving, bad habits you pick up in the beginning will likely follow you around for a while. You're better to get off to a good start with someone who knows what they're doing so look for a reputable school. If you can't find one, ask at your local surf shop. For the most part, they work there because they love the sport and will want to share their passion with you. They'll point you in the right direction.

Lastly, have fun! Sure, you'll spend a lot of time kissing the ocean floor. But that moment when you're on your feet will be totally worth it. It generally only lasts a few seconds the first time but it will likely fuel a life-long passion for the sport.

Feel free to message me any questions you may have and I'll do my best to steer you in the right direction.

Best of luck to you!

;o)

Amanda

P.S. Don't bother buying a board until you've got some experience under your belt - you'll just ding it up and it will be prone to breakage. You'll save yourself some cash in the long run if you rent at the start...

Answer 2

The thing with learning to surf is commitment, if you can't commit you will find it hard to learn because if your learning you will probably stand up on the board or fall of a lot, or maybe not even get up quick enough.  If you commit to it and practice enough then you will get it.

As far as being a strong swimmer is concerned it is beneficial to have a good upper body strength for catching waves and staying out of currents but I think more important is beach knowlege.  Learn how to spot rips and currents, know your own ability and stay with in your depth.  If you're learning from nothing you shouldn't be going out past waist depth anyway.

Don't purchase a softboard, if you take a lesson you will probably learn on one for safty and ease but the ones surf schools use cost around £300 or $600 new, you'd be better off learning on a hardboard.

Lot's of people reccomend learning on a longboard or a mini, this is because you can catch less powerfull waves on it and it's easier to balence on.  If you're really dedicated I would say learn on a shortboard... the learning curve will be steeper but then you will avoid the whole longboard to shortboard transition which many people don't bother with in the end.  Shortboarding is a lot more fun in my opinion if you're in a good physical condition.

Good luck with it anywhos :)

Answer 3

hello! i started surfing last january and had literally never surfed at all before. anyway, so long as you get a bit of surf coaching so you know what to do and to ensure you're safe in the water, surfing is fun. yes it is not going to be easy but the rewards of it are indescribable. like catching your first wave - i sill remember how awesome i felt!!

also, make sure you have fun in the water. my friends and i learnt together and a lot of the time, we used to just muck about in the water - lots of fun! also, when one of my friends caught a wave, we all used to cheer (and when the wiped out too (when you fall in the water)! but we all laughed so it wasnt nasty!)

surfing is great because it builds up your strength, so when i surfed for a couple weeks and then went swimming, i was much faster!!

so in the short, yes surfing is not easy - but nothing is. however, so long as you get a surf coach at the beginning, you love just being in the water and having a laugh, the rewards are well worth it. so dont hesitate - start soon!

Answer 4

its not really hard to surf. if u want talk to me sometime and i can give u lessons. (california)

Answer 5

Surfing is more than just a sport or a pastime. It requires commitment and real water skills. Being at home in the ocean in the first requirement. I started surfing at about 14, after years of swimming in the ocean and bay, in all types of conditions, and being a really good body surfer. Once you are at home in the ocean (pool or lake swimming is cool, but it is not he ocean with rips, undertows and big waves), I suggest surfing lessons. A good instructor will not only teach you the mechanics of surfing, but surf etiquette, and how to appreciate the ocean. I guess the main answer is..Yes, it's hard. But it is surely worth it. It has produced 42 years of JOY for me,. So go surfing!

Answer 6

basically you get a foam surf board to start off with its all about balance and consentration trust me if i can make it you can!!!!

Answer 7

surfing is a little hard. but once u get the hang of it its really easy. to know surfing u need to be a really good swimmer. first get a board thats comfartable for u. then all u need to know is how to balance on the board and how to control it.

Answer 8

A simple answer to your question.. YES!

We did it in sport at school for a term, and it is really difficult standing up on the board. But rewardingly, it is so so fun. I could never imagine myself surfing, but once you start you are kinda attracted to it. If you are interested, definitely start, take a chance :) I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did.

If you get a chance, come to Australia where there are one of the world's best beaches, and lifeguards that are happy to help you anywhere at anytime!! Haha.

Answer 9

once you catch on it's pretty easy..like anything it's all about practice. you should be able to swim faily well though in case your leash snaps or falls off or your board snaps.