Is surfing hard to learn??

Question

and does it take long to get the hang of it?

Answer 1

had a few lessons still can't stand up.

Answer 2

No, you should be standing up on a foam board the first day, but maybe after a week or so getting the hang of it.

Best to do a surfing school, its fun and you learn from a dedicated surfer.

If you surf through summer you'd be ok at it.

Answer 3

Its definitely possible. If you just keep thinking that its hard, then learning won't be as fun. Thats the whole point of surfing, to have fun. If you lose sight of what's important, which is having fun, you will definitely have a harder time.

Just watch these how to videos, theyre really helpful.

Answer 4

I got up on my 1st try, so I thought I had found the perfect sport for me that I would excel at. Then it took me 10 times to get up the 2nd time, and it humbled me! It takes about a month of 3 times a week, to really get the hang of it. Best advice is to not think about it too much, and just try to get up on every wave, because when you over think it, or get scared to take the wave, it will keep you fom trying. I have been surfing for 2 yrs, though only in the summer(I am a fair-weather surfer- no wet suits for me!) and it still takes me 7 times to get up.

Just go at it, it's the one sport that you have fun with, no matter how bad you suck at it!

Answer 5

it just takes water time dude, get out there and do it

Answer 6

I'm 22, i've surfed since I was 7. Feel free to contact me at [e-mail], i'd be happy to answer anything you need to ask about surfing.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 7

if you do any other board sports you should pick up the fundamentals in 6 months of solid surfing and you'll be sticking floaters in 2 years.  if you;ve never sk8ed or snowboarded or what not i'd give it 1-2 years before byou can ride the wave at an angle

Answer 8

yes very hard

Answer 9

i learnt how to surf by myself when i was around 8-9 i am 13 now and i am very good, in my opinion. so it is different, some people find it hard others not so much! but if you are supposed to surf then you wil have no prob, but it is never to late to get started!

Answer 10

its challenging at first, like anythiingg

but with practice you'll get it

good luck!

-sierrraaaa

Answer 11

It's doesn't take long to get the hang of the "bare bones" of surfing such as paddling, popping up, etc. BUT mastering these techniques is the hard part.  It takes about a month of consistent (at least 5-days a week) surfing to gat a pretty smooth pop-up (it's harder on a shortboard opposed to a longboard).  Paddling also is very painful for the first much until you develop those muscles (today, I didn't feel any burn!).  You should go to a surf camp because they have instructors that will help you and tell you the no-no's of surfing and stop you from developing bad habits.

The main thing though, is to go out with your friends and just have fun... you're gonna wipeout - A LOT- so just make sure you surf at uncrowded spots and safe spots (sand bottoms -NOT reef or even rocks), and remember you are at the mercy of the Mother Ocean and respect it.  Don't ever get cocky and get into something that you shouldn't be trying (there's a difference between trying to ease up your skills by slowly working up and just being an idiot).

There are also unwritten rules of surfing etiquette you must obey if you don't want to be mobbed by angry surfers.

Mainly, it's all about the fun, and feeling.

Answer 12

no

Answer 13

nope, not to me, but i'm a gymast who surfs 3 times a week, so i sorta have physical advantages.

Answer 14

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 spent almost all of my teen years, swimming, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and fishing. I even surfed in different places the Navy sent me, when it was possible.

There are good things about both long and short boards. I ride both (one at a time , of course). In the mid sixties, like almost everybody else, I started on a longboard. I went shorter and shorter every summer, during the 'short board revolution.' I have found some days that were just too small anything but a longboard. Just riding one size board is very limiting, conditions change daily in most places.

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. You can't do that without an ocean.

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. (and, it's going to be either a longboard or a funboard [mini-mal]) Just work on your basics, and after you feel good, think about buying a board, but don't rush into anything. And, please don't waste your time (or money) buying something on line.

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.

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 waht type of board you haven to learn on. Long boards are ideal for learners. There are also good internediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals and some hybrids. That is why instructors use long boards of fun boards (or even softtops).

Surfing can be hard to learn, depending on some of the factors that I already mentioned. If you are not at home in the ocean, you need to take the time to become so. Swim in the ocean, body surf, boogie board until you are comfortable. If you are fairly athletic, or are already a "waterman' that part is easy. Learning how to catch a wave, and how to balance and ride one is hard for some folks, easy for others. It does take a good deal of physical effort, one way or another. But, it is so much fun, you really shouldn't mind it.

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.

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...