Surfing Question - For Serious Surfer Enthusiast only?

Question

In May 11th, 2003, I almost got killed in an ocean riptide that pulled me out to sea three miles away from Santa Cruz beach on 41st Ave. I'm scared to death of going back to surfing, but when I surfed, I felt so serene.

How can I get rid of that fear? I want to surf again but I am so scared. HELP!!

Answer 1

if you really love surfing you would get back out there

Answer 2

um as a surfer u have the ability to paddle out of riptides and u are floating on top of the water so there isnt really a problem with the rip tides if u get caught in one while on a surfboard just paddle out of it

u could go swimming in shallow water then get progressively deeper until u are comfortable in all depths of water or u could just put some salt in the bathtub and chill

Answer 3

Go surfing with a friend(s).  Go surfing when there are lifeguards out (generally summer time).  If you are stuck in a rip, then paddle parallel to the beach - don't try and paddle back to the beach.  You'll eventually make it out of the rip.  The only way to overcome the fear is to face it.  Just do it slowly.  Go out on small days and have fun.  As you get more comfortable, yo ucan go on bigger days.

Answer 4

Ocean education can do a lot to alleviate the fear. Study up on riptides. You will find out that the actual riptide is not that wide so to get out of it you can swim/surf to the north or south of the riptide and you will get out of its' grip. There can be nothing worse than trying to paddle directly against the riptide. It will exhaust you. Next go to the ocean and notice where riptides occur and how far they actually go out to sea. Just by studying and becoming more aware your fears will be lessened.

After a bit of education get into some breathing exercises and perhaps meditation to still the mind. After you go through the above steps grab a friend so you are not alone and find a surf spot that has perhaps a lifeguard. This will provide a bit of security as you ease your way back into the water.

Once you realize what riptides are really doing you can find them to be assets at times. (Quick trip out to the waves)

Enjoy!

Answer 5

Don't surf alone, enter the water only after observing the riptide drift of other surfers in the water.  This happened to me and a buddy surfing a hurricane swell in the Gulf of Mexico.  The drift was real bad anyway due to the storm surge, and surfing open beach with no real good reference points, we didn't pay attention that we were actually drifting out as well as down the beach several miles.  I took several hours to get back into shore.  Lesson learned, pay attention to the drift before entering the water and monitor reference points, one to make sure you are in the lineup and two to ensure you know how far you are drifting, both down and out.  Get back in the water, you won't regret it.  Good luck.

Answer 6

We have all bee there when we started, when I was a kid I was rescued twice and the third time I was able to get out by my self.  I was about 10 or 12 yrs. old.  I am careful when I surf in a palce I have never surf and I always take my time to get to know the place before jumping in.  

I would suggest start by surfing where there is lots of people and daytime.

Answer 7

It is like a big wipeout. My old friend got his board bitten by a shark and said he was afraid but the possibility of a tragedy happening again would be far from likely. Take the chance its like wiping out on a 25 footer u have to just get on your board and go back out. And you must learn that the ocean controls you, you dont control it.

Answer 8

its easy to fear but a true lover of our sport would never let fear stop her from being out on those waves.

take a deep breath and go for it babe, that is unless you want to be afraid for a while-and if you are, you mine as well just forget going back out.

just take back the ocean and get out there. show your fear that you are more of a badass then it is.