Is surfing easy to pick up?

Question

Is surfing easy to pick up?

Answer 1

it depends if you pick things up quickly or not. i can stand on a surfboard now and it took me about 1 and a half weeks-2 weeks to get it right, but i was staying in the water for 4-5 hours at a time, but, if you stick at it and keep going you'll get the hang of it

Answer 2

Personally, for me, i was very easy for me to pick up. I took me 7 pushes into a wave to stand up and from that point forward i've been doing great ever since! I learned in 2 hours, and I was really into it.

It might also depends on how into you really are.

hope it helps!

Answer 3

It depends if you are a fast learner,then it will be super easy.Also it depends on what kind of board you learn on long-boards are easier to learn then short-boards.I started on a short board and picked it up fast so I'm sure you would be ok too.

Answer 4

Okay, this is an honest answer, but I'll probably get some flack for giving it to you, because parts of of it are cut and pasted. I have answered this question a few times in the past.

Surfing is an ocean sport. before you decide to surf, decide to know and understand the ocean. Learn to be at home with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes BIG waves. The original surfers were watermen (and women, both men and women surfed, but certain waves were reserved for royalty. 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.

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.

Don't rush into buying anything, until you have had a few lessons and decide that surfing is really something you want to stick with.

Be careful of what you read here on line. There are lots of really well meaning young folks who have neat answers about surfing, but at 55, I tend to classify anyone under 25 as a kid. After I found this site, I figured that I could answer a few questions, and spread the 'good news' of surfing. After you learn to swim and master the ocean, get your REAL advice from a surf shop, where industry professionals earn their rent money selling surfboards. However, if they think you are just a 'kook' tourist out to rent a board, you won't necessarily get the best attention.

When you ask, "is it easy to pick up?" is too open ended of a question. If you are already a strong swimmer, and fairly athletic, it can be fairly easy to master the basics. If you are a sand crab, who just likes the idea of surfing, it might be a little tougher. Some folks who are adept at other board sports have an advantage, after they learn how to paddle and take off on a wave. But it is not a significant advantage. There are way too many people who "surf' who have zero water skills, and are dangerous to themselves and other surfers. I see at least one or two every time I surf at a browded break. Don't join their ranks. If you want to surf. do it right.

Just as an example, I spent years as a little guy swimming and body surfing and body boarding before I took up surfing. It took my just about the whole summer to get 'decent'. And I really couldn't say the I got 'good' until my second summer.

Don't get too hung up on what some folks have said about how long it took them to 'stand up" on a surfboard. That's not necessarilly "surfing". I could take any one and get them to stand up on a board that I pushed into a nice little broken wave after a couple tries. Real surfing is a lot tougher. (But inifintely more fun!)

Most people learn best on long boards, although I have seen lots of surfers start on a short board and master it. In the long run, there are NO RULES on what type of board you have to learn on. Long boards are ideal for learners. There are also good intermediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals and some hybrids. That is why instructors use long boards of fun boards (or even softtops).

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer. The pros there can give you the right answers!!

Good luck. Once you try surfing (and learn the 'right way') you'll have fun for life. I have been surfing since 1966.

Take the time to check out the links, especially surfingforlife.

http://www.surfingforlife.com/history.ht...

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

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

Answer 5

it can be easy to pick up. longer boards are easier to learn on because they are more boyant and easy to paddle. if you want to learn faster, you might want to start on a funboard or min-mal. they are great to learn on and fun to ride. shortboards may look cool but they arent the easiest board to learn on. i learned on a shortboard and it was fun but i could have gotten more waves and learned faster on a longer board. you probably dont want to do what i did if you are on some 2 day vacation and want to go surfing because it takes a lot of time and practice to learn on a shortboard. but i go surfing practically every day. its fun. so yeah it can be easy to pick up but just have fun and it will come in no time. hope this helps. have fun surfing!

Answer 6

i agree with mike..also gener and height..not to be bi-est, but female are said to be natural better surfers bc of their hips and shorter people are also better...but once when you start surfing, you can become really good in about three years. And another good thing about surfing is that you can do it all of your life...its a really great sport..if your interested, go to your local surf shop and ask if they give or know of anybody that gives lessons..they will tell you everything you need to know...also maybe getting a book can be helpful

Answer 7

First I would recommend getting into shape because surfing uses very specific muscles you may not be using now.

You need to do push-ups and bench presses to build your chest muscles, (pecs), so you can push yourself up to stand.

Next you need to do pull-ups or lat pull-downs to work the muscles along your sides, (lats), that you will use to paddle.

A little running will build your cardio and legs muscles.

Then I would take a couple of lessons to get the basics down.

After that it's just going to take time in the water.

I always recommend that beginners get a longboard, (at least 9' long), as these are the easiest to catch waves with and balance on to stand up.

And finally this site has a great article called 'Learn How to Surf in One Day' that I think is terrific:

http://www.BeachTrading.com

Good luck and have fun!!  :-)