Surfing questions?

Question

I'm a snowboarder and I'm moving to CA. I want to get into surfing. I am goofy footed on the snowboard does that mean I will be on surfboard also? Do you think I can pick it up soon like after a couple of times going? Any tips for a beginner?

Answer 1

ur gonna want to start with some lessons,

check out Willis Bros Surf Camp, they do some lessons

http://www.wbsurfing.com/

i am goofy skating and snowbording, but surfing i'm regular

after a couple of times youll get the hang of the inside, then after a week or 2 u shuld try the outside

surf etiquette: http://www.surfinghandbook.com/surfing-e...

Answer 2

yahh you'll most likely be goofy on a surfboard

mhmh

do pop ups on the ground like the other guy said

and once you get into the water you should have it down

just when you start out play in the white water till you feel comfortable to go into the peeling waves

just respect the ocean and the locals

and you should have the time of ur life

good luck

hope I helped

-sierrrraaaaa

Answer 3

yep that means you're goofy footed for everything...

it'll probably take you a solid month to two months of surfing a couple times a week, or as much as possible

surfing is completely done on feel, you have to feel when the wave is pulling you to know when to stand up and what not... lessons are all good and fine, but i suggest just going out, paddling around and getting comfortable on a board... you should start with a fun board, probably a 6'10" to 7'2" cross bread between a longboard and a shortboard... from my experience in trying to teach beginners, the hardest part is catching the wave, but you'll learn as you go..

tips-

-know your surroundings and the rules of surfing

-make sure you don't get in other people's way and always be aware of who has the right of way on the waves

       = general rule of thumb is: the person on the inside (closest to the peak of the wave) always has the right of way

as long as you abide by this rule you'll be fine...

Answer 4

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.

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. Just work on your basics, and after you feel good, think about buying a board, but don't rush into anything.

Some folks have said that snowboarding or skateboarding may help. Well, any balance improving activity can be helpful to improve your surfing. That could be skate, snow, wake or skim boarding, working out on a Indo board, or doing the balance beam. HOWEVER, surfing is nothing like snowboarding. You have to paddle and catch a wave. First, and most important, you have to be at home in the ocean. You need to learn the mechanics of surfing, paddling out, catching a wave and standing up on the surfboard. It is after you have gotten all that down, that your balance becomes important, and if you have good balance (because, perhaps, you snowboard), that will only help you ride better.

I don't really think we have a choice of being normal or goofy footed. I think it's like your dominant eye, or 'handedness'. So I tend to believe you will surf goofy footed also.

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.

I have been surfing since 1966, and had a lifetime of fun. take the time and learn the 'right way' and you will have a lifetime of fun too. Good luck

Answer 5

Since you're goofy on a snowboard, that's your natural instinct, so you'll probably be goofy on a surfboard also. As far as tips, you should probably get a few lessons. There's a lot more than just standing up; wave choice, pop ups, timing, duck diving, tides, rip currents, as well as the safest spots for beginners. When you get to CA, speak to someone at your local shop about lessons. I think it may take more than a couple of sessions to pick it up.

Answer 6

Most likely you will be goofy footer on your surfboard. Try a couple "pop ups" (jumping from a front-lying position up to your feet in one swift movement) in your living room and see which foot wants to go forward. That should tell you.

The carving sensation you get on powder is similar to surfing a wave. The biggest difference is you need to propel yourself into the wave and pop to your feet. This is actually the  most complex aspect of learning to surf. Once you figure that out, your learning curve will be pretty quick.

Start with some land exercises to work on getting to your feet and then do some conditioning for your upper body to help you paddle. Swimming and weight training are great if you are  not able to get out on your board. 85% of the time you spend in the water will be spent paddling and waiting for waves  and about 5-10% will be up and riding. Snowboarding is the opposite where most of the time is spent riding. So it is important to get those paddling muscles in good shape otherwise you will be too tired to pop to your feet and actually ride a wave. Good luck and see you out there!

Answer 7

yah your going to be goofy on a surfboard too. and for tips you should practice your popups on flat ground. but go on some websites and see how to get the right technice