Surfing Waves

Hey guys, so I got an internship at UC Irvine this summer at their medical school and I want to surf while I'm out there. I hear Newport Beach is in Irvine and that it is a good surf spot (as far as the "types" of waves there I have no idea). I don't know a thing about surfboards, parts, types of waves etc. but I want to learn. Also, I am going to buy a surfboard when I get out there, but I have no idea what to buy (brand of board, size etc.). As far as what I have read on the internet the consensus seems to be that beginners should buy long and fat boards. The thing is that I have skateboarded and snowboarded (I know they're probably way different from surfing) all my life. I'm really athletic, am in great shape, and pick up on things fast. Should I really get a long and fat board, or could I jump into a more intermediate board? What is an intermediate board? Also I am about 6'1" and weigh 190 pounds, what sizes should I be looking for? I mostly want to go fast on waves and carve. I don't have any real desire to do any tricks, but I would like to be able to go back inside the barrel of the wave. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Revolver wrote: The thing is that I have skateboarded and snowboarded (I know they're probably way different from surfing) all my life. I'm really athletic, am in great shape, and pick up on things fast.

None of this will help you if you try to start off on a board that is too small. Get yourself a big board and learn to catch waves first. You will improve much much quicker than if you get a small board.

KS

Revolver wrote: I don't have any real desire to do any tricks, but I would like to be able to go back inside the barrel of the wave.!

wouldnt we all! unfortunately its not as easy as you make it sound, theres alot of skill involved in taking off on waves that are steep enough, big enough and fast enough to barrel, stalling yourself to get deep enough inside the barrel but maintain enough speed to get out the other side safely. wave selection, board control and steep takeoffs are things you will need to practice alot before youll be able to get barrelled.

like KS says, get a big board and learn to catch waves first, then worry about getting smaller boards and trying to get barrelled.

Ok cool, what size/type of board should I look for?

When you get there go to the local surf shop and ask a shaper or experienced surfer what he would recommend for you. Usually shapers have a good idea on what type of board to give you depending on your height, weight, and experience level. Once you get the board, see if you can make friends with someone who surfs or get lessons. You will find that you will pick up on it pretty fast considering that you have skated and snowboarded before. After you get the general idea on how to ride on a wave you will graduate to bigger surf, and more tricks. Good luck!

Revolver wrote:Ok cool, what size/type of board should I look for?

my best suggestion would be to find a local surf school and get a bit of instruction first, this will certainly help you on your way and ease the learning curve. try a few of their rental boards first and try a few different boards before you buy anything to avoid either buying a board too short which will make the learning curve even more difficult, or buying a board that you will outgrow in a few sessions.

most people can start out on a mini-mal between 7'6-8ft, you dont really need a longboard unless you want to get in to longboarding, but you will need a board with plent of volume so its stable, easy to paddle and catches waves easily, and see how that feels, and then either go bigger or smaller from there as you progress.

good luck mate and enjoy your first surf sesh

hey revolver, i live in laguna niguel! pm me ur facebook or something and we can get in touch, i can teach u.

" Also I am about 6'1" and weigh 190 pounds ........ "

You fit and quick ? - 6'8" round tail thruster - 6 months of heartache and then you'll be a surfer.

Revolver wrote:I don't know a thing about surfboards, parts, types of waves etc. but I want to learn. Also, I am going to buy a surfboard when I get out there, but I have no idea what to buy (brand of board, size etc.). As far as what I have read on the internet the consensus seems to be that beginners should buy long and fat boards.

I participated in a surf class a couple of times, and I deduced that the frequency of surf sessions dictated how fast I was learning and how much better I could read the ocean. How many times are you surfing per week? Of course, the obvious suggestion would be "Go everyday, bro!" but if that's not possible, 2-3 days a week would probably make you a surfer by the end of summer.

Considering you frequency of surf sessions, you could get a board of higher difficulty. Here's a lil' chart provided by Surfing-Waves.com: https://surfing-waves.com/board/board_size.htm

I learned on a shortboard, and it took me about a year to get on forming waves. I skate and snowboard too, but it did not really make it an easier experience, besides a sense of balance. The most crucial thing to learn when you're just starting out would be your ocean knowledge. With that whole aspect of surfing to familiarize yourself with, I'd start out with a larger board so there's one less thing to worry about.

i skated for around seven years so i know what you mean, when you learn to stand on the board it really helps as you know where to put youre feet without even thinking about it and the leaning to dig youre rails in for carving comes nataurally for snow boarders/skaters, in my opinion get a big boys short board or a fish /shortboard so youve got the manouvrability to carve but the voulume to be able to paddle fast and get the technique then go from there, joe