So I/we wanna learn to surf

[b dubya]

I'd say dodge the foamie unless it's dirt cheap and get a cheap 2nd hander as per hugh's post ^^. Something with a bit of length and volume, maybe mini-mal style. That's how I learnt.

oh. paddle like a muthafucka & keep on paddling. Have fun

[nickwm21]

Great. Thanks for the advice all!

[Vince]

Advice: Outta da water, haole.

[::: :::]

ask how to do this
http://deadspin.com/5739915/glow+in+...ght-yes-please

[Bud]

you'll rarely lose money on buying a used beginner-friendly board...i learned on a 9' Bic pop-out that I bought on craigslist for cheap...after my first summer I moved on to another board and kept it around for friends to use, finally sold it three years later for the same price i'd bought it for.

if i had bought a new glass board my first summer, i can think of more than a few times that I would've broken it.

[Unahuncoono]

what kind of rig and bait have u been using? i don't eat fish but love to catch'em. Haven't been surf fishing since end of Striper season and would love to get some action.

[terrel_b]

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.

You'll likely have better stamina for the paddling required, and a better swimming stroke to catch the wave, but as someone mentioned earlier...finding the right spot for the waves is pretty rough unless you know what you're doing. I've boogeyboarded and bodysurfed in Hawaii, so I have a tiny bit of experience reading waves. We just got back from Maui where the Mrs. and I took a lesson, then I spent two additonal days renting a board. While I didn't look as clueless as some chasing a tiny swell that never broke, my last day I just seemed to chase around the swells and used up all my energy paddling around.

Anyway, I've totally got the surf jones going again.