Before you even think about surfing, there are some things you should understand. Surfing is an ocean sport, that should only be practiced by persons who are already competent ocean swimmers. Swimming in a pool is neat, but it’s not ocean swimming, with undertows, rip tides and sometimes BIG waves. I have seen lots of great pool swimmers get rescued. So, my first tip on how to surf is to be at home in the ocean. It doesn’t matter how fast you can swim in a pool or run on a track, it matters how well can you swim in a rip current in overhead waves.There are way too many dangerous people in the water now. They are a danger to themselves and other surfers, don’t join their ranks.

Lessons are the best way to start. Lessons can come from a professional instructor, or surfing family members or experienced surfing friends. 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. The last thing experienced surfers want is for inexperienced people to just grab a board, rush into the surf and get in our way. Lessons shorten the learning curve significantly. And they help keep ignorant, un-prepared kooks out of the water and out of the way of more experienced surfers.

Beginners should take advantage of renting boards and wetsuits while taking lessons. If it turns out you don’t like surfing, you haven’t wasted a whole lot of money on gear that you are not going to use. When you are ready to buy, don’t waste your time on line, go to a good local surf shop to discuss your size (weight is import, height isn’t), skill level and local wave conditions. After almost 43 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice from good local shops in the places where i surf.

Almost ALL instructors will start you off on a longboard. It is just too difficult for most people to learn how to surf on a short board. Most get quickly discouraged, and just quit. Now, over the years, I have seen some young surfers start out on short boards and master them in time. But it’s just common sense to learn on a long board.

When you are ready to buy please avoid popouts in general, and especially popouts made in third world country sweat shops by People who have probably never seen the ocean.

Here is a list of sweat shop popouts:
http://bp3.blogger.com/_hPACOtZKKko/RkST…

And here is why to avoid ALL popouts:http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

Anybody who would give you SPECIFIC advice as to what size or type board to buy on-line is foolish. Anybody who would take that advice is more foolish

And, I know there are lots of nice kids who want to share information with you on line. But don’t take the advice from youngsters, who may know even less than you do about surfing, a surfboard is a big investment. I hope you are mature enough to read through the BS that lots of people throw at you on line. You don’t know anywhere near enough about surfboards to by one from an on-line web site without getting disappointed. Don’t waste your time on line, go straight to the source, a good local shop
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