BootsnAll Travel Community

I appologize if this is in the wrong forum. When I finally finish my degree (which I'm procrastinating writing a paper for at the moment) I would really like to learn how to surf before I get too old (it seems most people who surf start really young?). This is a really broad question but I'm wondering where are good places for beginners to learn... pretty much all over the world (I intend to do some extensive travelling in the next few years). I was thinking of maybe starting out locally on Vancouver island, Tofino.

I learned to "surf" at Wells Beach, Maine. Crappy waves but the learning experience was good because there were a bunch of people just hanging out on boards together with an inner tube with a net at the bottom so it could hold a bunch of juice boxes. You float, you drink the juice, you wait for the wave. The wave comes, you get up on the wave, the wave diminishes, you float back and drink the juice and wait for the wave.

No one ever has to pee. *cough* Ever.

tofino has some amazing surf. I just wish I could handle the cold water a little better. Believe it or not, we dropped to 49F water in the Gulf of Mex this winter. I cannot surf in water that cold, I seriously hate wetsuits.

Try Mexico in some of the northern states, California for well.... classic example of Californian surfers. Careful though, they will fight for waves, literally. Texas, mellow surf and most places are a mellow crowd. Avoid 37th street in Galveston unless your good. Florida has decent spring time surf. many places are dependant on seasons and tradewinds. Winter and spring, east coasts get goooood. Cali is still good but cold.

You could try OZ, seems everyone learns to surf out there.

Some things to consider....

1) be careful, surfing can change your entire life. Easy to become addicted

2) pleaaaaaasssseee learn and exercise ettiquette. There are many many rules to surfing, its not just pop up and ride a wave. Surfing is actually quite dangerous when there are other people in the water. However light boards are, they become deadly projectiles in the water. Surfers do not handle rule breaking lightly.

3) be prepared to be called a kook all the freaking time lol.

4) in general, surfing is comprised of assholes. we are greedy. save waves from people who dont deserve to be there etc. dont take offence to any of this, its just their nature. I tend not to go this route. Im pretty friendly in the water. I will however not tell you crap about certain waves in places though, but thats a given

Just have fun and learn the rules. If you want, I can give a rundown of the basic rules and what to do/what not to do's.

I know plenty of guys who started as late as their 40's - so knock that 'before I'm too old' idea right out of your head.

And then hop on a flight to O`ahu! We usually have good south waves - the best of for learning - between Mothers Day and late fall. Canoes in Waikiki can be crowded unless you wake up early - so be prepared to wake up early! Anything past 10am and it'll be more of a slalom course than anything else.

And don't worry about the 'attitude!' That really is more of a Californian thing. Those guys don't last too long out here. Here, just smile and be aware of your space, and stick to the beginners' breaks. There's enough waves for everyone here, so we'll let ya have your share : ) (note that this changes on the famous breaks on the North Shore ... but it'll be quite a few years before you're that good!)

There are different types of surf beaches so make sure you choose one which is right for learners. Many believe a point break (rather than a beach or reef break) is best for absolute beginners, I would say at least make sure there is a sandy bottom and no rocky areas in the waist-knee high area of the water where you'll be learning to start with.

I would also seriously recommend having at least one surf lesson with a pro or a friend who can teach beginners. They should be able to give you a huge, deeply unsexy but very bouant surfboard, and you should be able to stand up and wobble around in your first session which really helps with the insipiration!

Here in NZ and in Australia too they have surf camps which are heaps of fun and you'll learn really fast. They're a great way to tour part of a country with others as well.

Good luck and you are never too old!

i learned at lorne beach on the great ocean road in Vic, AUS

I also tried surfing at byron bay, surfer's paradise...

It is tough, but yes very addicting...I was quite humbled though with the huge waves...

For the absolute beginner, you can't beat the very user friendly waves on Oahu. The water is warm and a lesson goes for about $40- $60, and they will get you up in that first lesson. And you'll sleep like a baby that night.

There are many great places to learn to surf, like Costa Rica, Morocco, San Diego, but I think Cowell's beats them all:

quote:

Cowell's
The best place to start out if you're new to the sport, Cowell's offers long gentle waves textbook for longboarding. It's generally understood that Cowell's is the spot for beginner or novice surfers, so the scene in the water is crowded yet generally polite. Easily accessed by stairs off of West Cliff drive or if you're up to it by paddling out from the beach north of the wharf.

http://www.santacruz.com/surfing/

And yeah, take a lesson, it will really steepen the learning curve. Club Ed has a good reputation.

Bali, Indonesia...

Great waves for beginners, lots of surf schools and very cheap living - and great weather Mar to Nov!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael C:
I know plenty of guys who started as late as their 40's - so knock that 'before I'm too old' idea right out of your head.

Good to hear some encouragement in that regard. This is one of those skills that I've completely put off due to the youth culture surrounding it. Lately, however, I've had a bug up my ass to give it another go.

If you want to learn to surf (it's more than just standing up), you'll need to go regularly, as in daily, for quite a while, as in months. The older you are, the longer it will take.Do Not Take A Lesson It won't make any difference in the learning curve - most of them are designed for dilettantes, in travel locations like Bali or Hawaii even moreso. Use the money and just go. Go as often as you can. This means the the best place is the closest place. Why not Tofino?

Cowells is a great beginner wave for you and the other 300 people in the water. Way, way to crowded now. Bali has no good waves for beginners, and neither does the rest of Indonesia. GREAT waves for intermediate/advance surfers, but nothing really for beginners (Kuta Beach doesn't cut it)
Hawaii has no attitude except for the locals throwing rocks at the haole.

quote:

Originally posted by boundboardbag:Why not Tofino?

Eh. BC? Not very close for those of us who live on the other side of the Atlantic most of the year. You got any recommendations for a first time surfer in Europe?

^I think he was referring to my opening post, where I mention Tofino

Thank you for the great info everyone!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by karinada:
^I think he was referring to my opening post, where I mention Tofino

Yeah, I know. And now that they'd successfully answered your original question I figured I'd hijack your thread.

I'd recommend Central America. There are lots of schools in Costa Rica - Tamarindo is particularly popular for learning. Nicaragua is another good bet. The area around San Juan del Sur has consistent offshore winds and good breaks - Playa Maderas is excellent.

Being a casual surfer, and more than casual traveler, I would suggest Australia or Central America for learning. You don't want too big or too small, and most of all you don't want too strong current(paddling wears you out in a second if you're not conditioned like many surfers). My favorite place was in a place called Noosa in Oz. California waves seemed too long of a wait and never the right size since I was still learning. Coasta Rica is supposed to be awesome, and Ireland I've been told is the best in Europe, and maybe the world surprisingly...but not for those who can't stand a little frigid water.

Hello karinada,

i learned how to surf very young on the Gold Coast in Australia. Its amazing there, so many expereince people surf there and they are really good to beginners. Surfers Paradise is also good of course, but I found Gold Coast the most forgiving for beginners and still amazing surfing.

hope that helps

Sammy

There are some really cool beaches around San Francisco, CA. That is where I started.

Long Beach, New York on Southern Long Island