New at surfing and am wondering will locals be ignorant to me?

Question

Ok so I'm going to a surf camp this summer in california then am spending a week just practicing. I heard some of the locals are really lame and call newer people "kooks" cuz there jsut soooo cool like that. (sike) So i was wondering will they treat me poorly? What should i do to not look obviously new? and what should i do to not p**s people off?

Answer 1

well some people may be idiots aboat it but most people will respect new surfer because it is biulding the surfing world up that much more. but some tip to not look so blatently new,

1. ask your instuctor all your questions, apposed to asking the locals.

2. try to look calm and relaxed, DON'T talk fast. very slow.

3. try to learn some terms---- http://www.surfing-waves.com/surf_talk.h...

Answer 2

not to p**s ppl of stay in the white water and learn and get use to standing up..there's nothin u can do when ur new at surfing ur just S**t and it shows but thats when u pick up ur own style :) and the ppl who treat u bad r lmao and they bring a bad name to us surfers...hope it helps

Answer 3

Definately. And i don't know about your part of the world, but i'm from australia and while most people try to be understanding, you'll get your few that are quite rude. But it's something that comes with the sport.

And there's no real trick to not looking so new, fact is, if you're new, the older surfers will be able to spot it straight away.

try not to surf near them as much as you can because if you get in their way they can get pretty mad.

And enjoy yourself.

Answer 4

Tips for beginners:

1. Don't try to take every wave. Just like at a 4-way stop sign, you will see that everybody takes a turn.

2. If someone is already on the wave (and coming toward you) do NOT take off in front of them (called snaking). You risk them hitting you and causing an injury or damaging a board. If you do it accidentally, you may hear them hoot, whistle or yell at you. If so, simply turn up into the wave & go over and go back to the line-up. Apologizing never hurts.

3. If you have to bail off your board, LOOK TOWARD THE BEACH and make sure that there is nobody at least 15' from you. When you bail, your leash is 6' and your board is at least 6' too. That means you could hit somebody at least 12' way from you. With my 9' longboard and 12' leash, I had over 20' to worry about. Plus, the current will take you close to them very fast.

4. Think about surfing where there are few people around until you get better. Smaller waves usually means less people but they are also an excellent way to improve your balance.

5. If you are walking or paddling up to the lineup and there is a surfer on a wave coming toward you, you have the most responsibility to move so that he does not hit you, so that you don't ruin his wave and so that he doesn't have to bail.

6. As you sit on the beach to stretch, look at the way the waves come in, where the groups are positioned and everything else. There may be a channel for you to paddle out through rather than wasting your energy by hammering right through the waves.

There are many places to surf where the hassle factor is low and there are others where you don't want to be unless you are invited. Part of the excitement is the search and the trying each spot.

Answer 5

Things will be cool while you are at surf camp. It's sort of a sheltered environment. On you own, you have to work hard at NOT being a kook. Now, I know that some guys are knuckleheads, and they don't enjoy the fact that other people are learning to love surfing. However, I have been pissed off more than once by 'kooks' getting in my way. It is EXTREMELY important that you learn surf etiquette, so the experienced surfers in the water don't want to strangle you before you become any good!

Respect the rights of more experienced surfers, and you will earn their respect. Stay out of the way. Know your limits. Be at home in the water, so you can handle yourself in the surf. Some guys are knuckleheads, but most surfers love to surf, and are glad to see others learn, the right way. I have been surfing 42 years, and it is the greatest stoke there is. Good luck!

Answer 6

If you respect them then they won't really bother you too much. yeah they'll give you a little c**p but its expected cuz you're new but take a look at this site for the really important rules in the water

http://www.surfrider.org.au/about/surfet...

Good Luck and Go Big!

Answer 7

dont wax ur entire board it will give away ur a kook

Answer 8

some locals get a bit mad because they feel like the tourists and new guys are taking up their surf spots but be respectful in a line up and go to: http://www.surfline.com/surfology/surfol...

for some surfing etiquette and tips