So I/we wanna learn to surf

[OSECS]

Gonna do this either in a couple weeks or next spring/summer with my son. I'll definitely be doing it on the outer banks. I know of several places that advertise down there but don't have any experience with any of them.

What's the best way to go about it ? Meaning, I'm thinking if we can go for a whole week of surf lessons we'll get better quicker (seems natural).

How long/steep is the learning curve ? Obviously individual athletic skill comes into play, but for someone who is athletic and pretty coordinated what can I expect ?

What should we be looking for from a good instructor ? Go with a shop or try to find a guy/girl who would give private lessons ?

[neck beard]

I've surfed since I was very young, thanks to my dad.

Beyond the absolute utter basics, I don't think it is something that is effectively instructed/coached at the beginner level, despite the number of people that sell that service. It isn't like skiing or boarding where a week of lessons will get you going, first time on snow.

The learning curve for you will be flat and long. Your son will have a much different curve.

It is one of the hardest things you will ever try to master. Standing up and riding a wave well is only a fraction of the skill involved. But it is the bit that gets all the attention.

Have fun. Do it for your son. Once he can surf, it will never leave him of the rest of his life. And he will feel kinda sorry for his peers that can't, and never will. It is one of the few bits of magic you can score as a kid that stays with you forever. Thanks dad.

[Ottime]

It is a bit of magic.

Don't get too frustrated. Try to steer away from crowds so you can have a peak all to your selves. Outer Banks offers some punch compared to a lot of EC locales. Short fingered shelf and all that sand.

I learned when I was 13 or so. Spent the entire summer at the beach, whether there was swell or not. By the end of summer, I was standing and riding. 25 years later, I am still learning, but it took about 3 or 4 summers to become competent at understanding the swell, catching waves and actually surfing the wave.

Sometimes it is just good to wake up in the morning, paddle out and enjoy the quite.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

Yep, Best thing you could do, ever.
Get a lesson, but you'll probably only need one. This will get you the basics and fundamentals as well as the confidence of getting up. Some schools will even guarantee you will stand up and ride a board during your lesson, or second one is free. ...Good way to go incase you're having trouble. After you get those basics just rent a board for the rest of the week and have fun.

I can second how difficult surfing is, I thought I would destroy at it, having a deep background in wakeboarding, skating and snowboarding but it was quite different from those sports. Catching the wave and standing are the hardest part and once you're up you don't really angulate your body or carve like the other board sports.

Also I'd suggest doing it ASAP. then you will get the ball rolling and be hooked for years to come

[supermodel159]

The hardest part for me was reading the ocean. It takes a lot of time to figure out what waves are coming towards you, and waves you have to paddle for.

[moose pit]

Good luck.

I'm off for the Islands mid november and figure a couple weeks with a 9 foot plus soft board should at least get the ball rolling.

Right now I'm just getting back into swimming, the last time I attempted to surf I couldn't figure out why my chest and arms hurt like hell until I realized that I was basically swimming for the better part of 6 hrs a day.

[big mike]

take a lesson with a school that has some big softtop longboards. this is the easiest board to learn on and is forgiving on your chest and knees. you will be trying to stand and ride whitewater after the wave has broken. if you are semi fit and have any balance you will be up and riding because standing on a 10 ft softop is like getting on a bus and standing there. that being said to go from that stage to the next level of surfing takes quite a while. prob 2 to 3 seasons if you are getting out an a reg basis. i learned how to surf on nantucket when i was in my early 30s. took 3 yrs just to get off a longboard and on a fun board of 8' ft. now i ride a big guy shortboard 7 ft. i would say surfing is something that takes a while to get good at but some coaching would be really helpfull for starting out.

[BS720]

http://farmdogsurfschool.com/

Rob Farmer is good people. He has a great shop by West Coast standards, and they do all sorts of lessons.

[Tunco]

The hardest part for me was reading the ocean. It takes a lot of time to figure out what waves are coming towards you, and waves you have to paddle for.

x100

5678

[OSECS]

http://farmdogsurfschool.com/

Rob Farmer is good people. He has a great shop by West Coast standards, and they do all sorts of lessons.

Aside from your avatar , thanks a lot.

So it seems like getting a basic lesson or two to understand the principles of surfing and techniques of at least standing up are the way to go ? Followed by lots and lots of time in the water learning to surf ?

Or, is it worth spending lots of bucks for a week of instruction instead of just going it alone after the initial primer ??

[neck beard]

I think the former, but it could prolly be argued both ways.

Either way, time spent at the stone is all that will make a difference in the end.

The bummer is that unless you have great physical form, there is only so much time you can spend at it per day. It really drains you. Get ready for some of the best nights sleep you've ever had.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

Do you have a friend that surfs that could make the trip with you?

I always found it helpful to shadow a friend who knows what they are doing out there.

[Hugh Conway]

1) start swimming. lots. it's not as good as paddling, but it'll help
2) procure wetsuit and board (rent/buy crappy used)
3) maybe take a lesson for a day
4) spend lots of time getting pounded

[DeeAre]

So it seems like getting a basic lesson or two to understand the principles of surfing and techniques of at least standing up are the way to go ?

That, and they'll push you into waves.

Srsly tho, as someone who has caught only a couple handfuls of waves in his life, I feel like I can identify a little with these guys when they call it magic. Surfing absolutely captivates me. I'm a dedicated armchair surfer.
Getting your kid involved is truly awesome.

[VTskibum]

I'm a COMPLETE newbie, but during my first lesson I was catching small waves regularly on the foam boards. I'm not the most natural athlete, but felt skiing, wakeboarding/wakeskating and mountain biking gave me the balance I needed. I never had an issue with popping up either.

[BCJC]

my advice to all "later in life" surf groms:

bring a big board and a small ego.

your son otoh will likely provide the stoke.

have fun.

[Sportsmad]

definetly get a few lessons- and start with a long board depending on your size and weight
i am 6ft, 97 lb and very much a junior surfer - got going on 9ft 6' mal after a couple of lessons on foamies
doing it with your son is something neither of you will forget. my son is now a pretty damned good surfer and has left me for dead.
also keep your fitness up - alot of paddling required. get your core strong and stick to your limits
best of luck for your surf.

[Tunco]

i am 6ft, 97 lb

Jesus, eat a fucking sandwich.

[OSECS]

Jesus, eat a fucking sandwich.

........or 12.

[BS720]

...doing it with your son is something neither of you will forget...

No kidding.

[nickwm21]

BUMPING this thread.

Moving from Tahoe to Encinitas at the end of next month for work. The only way to keep me sane with that move is to learn to surf.

I have been a competitive swimmer for my entire life and played water polo for 10 years, through the collegiate level. I am super comfortable in the water so I don't think catching a wave will be much of an issue. More of a standing/riding issue.

My best friend lives down there and has offered to help teach me.

So my question is more about gear choice.

What size and type of board should I get? The huge foamies seem great to learn to get up on, but once you progress, I doubt you ever use it again. I have a good friend who works at Channel Islands manufacturing warehouse in SB and offered to hook me up with a blem board or a new board at the employee rate. Is it worth getting a new board?

And wetsuit.... Just buy a used one that fits???

I am determined to learn!

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: 6' 200#

[nickwm21]

BUZUMP.

No Love?

My buddy says buy a used 7'er and a new wetsuit... Good idea

[My Pet Powder Goat]

BUZUMP.

No Love?

My buddy says buy a used 7'er and a new wetsuit... Good idea

your buddy is right on. most Wetsuits don't last terribly long, they used to have good deals up on whiskeymalitia but haven't seen anty around lately. I bought a 7'10 dual concave thruster longboard and it was great to learn on but still quick enough to steer it. Try an epoxy board, as you will dent the living shit out of a glass board learning.

[Ottime]

I would not suggest spending your money on a new board.

Get the foam board. CostCo had them last summer for $100. I know of at least two folks who ride them all the time and rip in any condition up to 10' with them. You will save your self a lot of heart ache from destroying a new board - and being stuck with a 7' something. Unless you are 6'6" and weight 280#, that will never be a short board. Besides, the foam board will turn into your small sloppy summer waves, traveling, hanging on the beach and putting back beers, and friend is in town and needs to borrow a board.

Or buy something cheap and used. As long as it is not taking on (too much) water, it will last through the winter and into summer. And get you out on the water to learn a bit more about the ocean, breaking waves and board dynamics.

Start with the cheap board. Then, down the road a bit, say like next fall when the swells begin hitting again, get the dealio on the Channel Island board. By then you will be (1) past the basics and (2) likely to have tried a variety of friends boards (3) have a better idea on what you want to spend $300 on (is that the employee deal?).

Oh, and catching the wave is really the only hard part. I think that will surprise you. And I don't mean getting hit by a wave and washing into shore on your belly, but when you do the catching. The rest is pretty straight forward. Just saying.

And yes on a new suit. Cruise the shops and craigslist. You should be able to find something for $100-$150 that will be plenty of rubber for SoCal.

[Hugh Conway]

there's a ripcurl outlet store in San Clemente for a wetsuit. Buy board off craigslist or some used rack in a shop for not much.