New-ish surfer, could you tell me what i need to know! please!?

Question

I'm 5'10", weight 150lbs

have had a few lessons and can easily ride a foam, and just about manage a pop up type board.

aim is to be a shortboarder. :D

i live s.e. england, brighton, so there is a significant lack of waves, so is there anywhere near i can learn?

i need a board and a few lessons!

i have a wetsuit but its only 3/2 is that enough?

can anyone give me some info?

thankyou for any info!

Answer 1

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.

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.

That is what worries me when I read some of these questions. Lots of folks just don't know what they are getting into. The more times inexperienced people s***w up, and have to get rescued, the stricter anti surfing ordinances get past, and it makes it tough on the rest of us.

I can't tell you anything about UK surfing, but I was just out in a 3/2 suit last weekend in the US (New Jersey, kind of cold 14.5 C water and 20 C air) and it was fine, but it doesn't cut it in the Winter!

Take the time time to learn about the ocean. Go swimming, body surfing and body boarding. When you are really comfortable with it, it's time to start surfing. Have fun!

Answer 2

In small waves longboarding is a lot easier!

You will probably need a 4/3 wetsuit. I live in sunny Southern California and use a 4/3 fall, winter, and spring.

I don't know much about surf in europe, so sorry i can't help with that.

Answer 3

Surfboard Size

· No matter what type of board you buy it should be at least 6'' longer than your own height.

· The wider the board, the more stable on the waves

· The thicker the board the more buoyant it will be, making it easier to paddle and catch waves

· A ultra thin, light shortboard will make learning to surf harder - why do you think that performance boards are not used by surf schools

Type

· The best type of beginners surfboard depends on different factors. How often you will be surfing, your fitness levels, whether you need to look cool etc. Best go back and read the both the beginner board pages again.

· Soft boards, longboards, minimals and pop-outs are all great beginners boards

· Shortboards are not such a great beginner board for the average surfer.

New or Old

· This depends on a number of factors including budget and availability of boards

· Buying a new soft surfboard is a good idea if you have children or you do not intend to go surfing regularly. If you progress quickly in your surfing you will soon need another board more suited to your ability - these boards are for the novice only. A cheap second hand board might be the best bet

· Good second hand surfboards can be hard to find, and if you are new to buying a surfboard you might want to take a look at our surfboard buying guide

· .With a beginners board you are going to have to replace it soon, you need a board that you can resell

How Often You Surf

· If you only surf once a year go for a softboard

· If you surf intermittently go for either a pop-out, mini-mal or malibu

· If you surf 3-4 times a week you can pretty much start on any board you like. Surfing this regularly should see you quickly out of the 'novice surfer' stage