What are keys factors you need to learn to be a good surfer?

Question

Plus ....How do you find out where competitions will be and all that stuff. I want to improve and so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thx

Answer 1

It is important to have a good instructor. This is not something you can learn from a book. However, to become familiar with the art, check out the following site for some excellent articles on the subject:

http://surfing.about.com/

You'll find the best surf school in Virginia Beach, VA. There are also some excellent schools in California, Hawaii (the birthplace of surfing), Phillipines, Australia and Bali. There are also some good private instructors in Wrightsville Beach, NC

Here are a few links to some good surf schools:

http://www.coronadosurfing.com/

http://www.wbsurfcamp.com/lessons/l_priv...

http://www.wbsurfing.com/

Here are some links to the world of surf competition:

first, the official rules for USSF Sanctioned Events:

http://www.surfusa.org/id3.html

Various Events:

This is the USA's oldest, and the world's second oldest surfing competition and is an East Coast event. It is also one of the best schools to learn surfing:

http://www.odysseysurfschool.com/newseve...  

http://www.boardridersclassic.com/

http://www.surfecsc.com/new.html

Have fun! And, girrl, Surf's Up!!!

Answer 2

it takes commitment and no fear of the water, i go pretty much everyday, and i have a coach.

Answer 3

Factor #1 is to determine if the board you have is what's best for your size & weight.  a board that's too small or too big will greatly change your experience.

Factor #2 is to learn how to read the waves and determine if the swell that you're looking at is going to crest into something that's worth the time to catch.

Factor #3 is knowing when to start paddling to reach enough speed to catch a wave.

Factor #4 is once you caught the wave is having enough balance to be able to stand up without falling... that's the step I could never get past.

Factor #5 is learning how to cut and turn