What kind of tips do you have for a beginner surfer?

Question

I have never set foot on a surf board, but have grown up by the ocean. Any advice on how to begin?

Answer 1

start out with a long board, practice on the sand, find out if you're regular or goofy footed and have fun.

P.S.-don't get in other surfers way

Answer 2

To be honest just paddle out without fear do not hesitate when going for a wave, don’t be scared to wipe out, become a strong swimmer and learn how to duck dive because it will help you get through the biggest waves. Oh and always have fun that’s what surf is all about good luck

Answer 3

A wetsuit and swimming lessons. If you're already there, try a longboard, they're easier to get up on, and you'll be more likely to stay afloat.

Answer 4

Keep the keel side down.

Answer 5

You don't NEED lessons, but if you got the extra cash to burn - go for it.  The other 95% of us just learned by watching and just being out in the water.  There's enough information on the net to teach you all the basics (paddling, duck diving, etiquitte, etc) so just rent or buy a cheap board and get out there.  Just be sure you find the least crowded spot you can find and start from there.  If you paddle out someplace packed, you'll just wind up getting in peoples way and having a lousy experience.

One bit of advise - practice standing on your board in the whitewash first.  After you get that down THEN learn to catch the wave and stand.  I see too many people trying to do both at the same time.  Don't.  You'll probably be in everyones way and you're trying to learn 2 things at once.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Take Lessons

Answer 7

Get lessons.

Know your limitations in the ocean.

Be respectful of the surfers around you.

Don't drop in on someone wave.

Have fun and don't get frustrated..surfing is great!

Answer 8

Alright, I would strongly recommend getting a lesson, one on one would be best since the instructor can be there with you watching what you are doing.

But if you don't want to spend the money/don't want an instructor, you can totally learn on your own.

No matter what level of surfer you are, you want a board that is suited to your surfing ability and the type of surfing you want to do. For starting out, you are going to want a longboard. If you are 5'0 and 90 lbs, you can get away with an 8'0 board, but I would stick to at least 9'0, and possibly 10'0. For a beginner, if the board is too small, you won't be able to catch waves or stand up. The bigger the board, the easier it will be to catch waves and stand up, but if the board is so big that you can't control it, that's working against you as well.

So, find a board between 9'0 and 10'0. That should work.

I also recommend renting boards at first, because surfboard (especially longboards) are expensive to buy. You may find that you don't like surfing, or you may learn really fast and want to move on to a shorter board. So rent until you know you want to buy a board.

If you don't get an instructor, at least go out with some friends so they can try with you/ laugh with you.

Start out at a beach with smaller, slower moving waves that aren't steep. I would start out in the whitewash of the waves (after it has broken), not the breaking part of the wave. If someone is already on a wave, it's their wave. Don't surf on the same wave as someone else.

When you want to catch a wave, lay on the board, somewhere around the middle. If you start paddling and the nose of the board goes underwater, scoot back. If you feel like you aren't going anywhere, scoot forward. Paddle before the wave gets to you, so you have some momentum to catch the wave. Don't stop paddling until you feel the wave pushing you. When you have caught the wave, try to stand up in one swift motion. Put your hands straight down from your shoulders and push up, swinging your legs under you and standing up. This is hard to get at first, but it's good form. And practice, it will get easier and will help you later.

This is why I recommend getting an instructor. They can SHOW you and tell you all this, and watch you do it then make appropriate suggestions. Go out and go surfing. Then come back and read this again. It might help you more after you know what I am talking about.

Watch out for other people, stay safe, and have fun.

You can contact me if you want more advice.. feel free.

I rambled on and hopefully it made sense/helped.

Answer 9

Stay away from the water...haha

Answer 10

Take lessons. It usually only consists of 1 lesson for 1 day and it costs about $100.

They'll cover everything you need to know, and you need to know a lot more than what we can cover here.

If you are not familiar with the ocean and surfing please do not just paddle out and try it. Smart surfers use the buddy system (usually 3 people, so one can stay with the victim and the other goes for help). They also have a good knowledge of riptides - where they are and how to deal with them.

Swimming in a pool or at the edge of the ocean is not the same.