19 year old noob

[zmcp]

Hi all,

I grew up on the beach but never picked up a board

For the last 5ish years ive been telling myself that "i'de love to surf" but never done it because i didnt know how and I didnt know how because ive never done it --- you can see how that cycle ruins things

Anyway I've broken out of that and had a lesson - still have a couple more to do

I love it and so (being a bit of an obsessive nerd) found this site and am reading so much

Just thought i would say "HI"

So "Hi"

From, ZmCP

[jaffa1949]

Hi and welcome a plan for you read a lot pick the weight and age and height and everything else subjects read them thoroughly and go do as often as possible, then you will be surfing, don't obsess about anything other than actually surfing

[dtc]

Depending on your learning style, I think surfing does actually lend itself to learning by reading - to get the basics and then to figure out what you are doing wrong and how to correct it. Of course, you actually have to go and do it, but a bit of theory works well - if you have no idea what you are doing wrong, then trying to fix it becomes frustrating. Its not a natural sport, there are things that are counter intuitive.

First step is to read up on boards and make sure you get one suited to your skill level and weight
Then read a bit about wetsuits (if you need one), although most wetsuits are good enough if they fit so don't obsess.

Then read about the 3 Ps: paddling, pop up and perling. These are the main problems for learners.

The Surf Simply videos are worth watching (google them; also on itunes) once you have been out in the water a few times.

And, of course, feel free to ask us.

[surf patrol]

Hi ZmCP, welcome to Surfing Waves!

[zmcp]

Hey Jaffa i fully intend to be in the water as many days a week as possible - i'm an all or nothing sort of person.

But seeing as i'm In Tamworth this week and next i only have the forum to carry me through
(for the non-aussies, thats about 4ish hours from water)

I have a surf coach/teacher that i am getting lessons from when i get back to the coast - im based in Newcastle and Sydney

But seeing as I'm an 88 kilo (200ish pound) 6'5" 19 year old i dont fit any real beginner profile but if you know where i should start (reading) then link me

Thanks for the comments though

[drowningbitbybit]

seeing as I'm an 88 kilo (200ish pound) 6'5" 19 year old i dont fit any real beginner profile but if you know where i should start

...not on the peak I'm on

Just kidding Seriously though, you'll make a lot more progress if you skip Sydney's city beaches - the crowds and competition for waves means you'll spend more time trying to find a wave with noone on it than actually surfing, so if you've got the whole coast from Newcastle to Sydney, find one of the quieter spots in between. Plenty of them

You'll need a pretty big board to start with and to progress on - leave the super-skinny shortboards to the super-skinny 12 year olds

[jaffa1949]

A good beach to learn at is Shelly Beach on the central coast , it has a wide selection of waves and degree of difficulties to progress on, it is where my boys learnt to surf.

Merewether at Newcastle can fit the bill on smaller days , you can head north to Crescent Head or Seal Rocks both of which can be beginner friendly but as such can crowded.

There is a surf school at Crescent and it also bring to mind Pt Maquarie beaches.

Have fun,

[zmcp]

Haha as much as i would love to be able to shred on a toothpick or something smaller i am deffs going for a 8-9" mini-mal to start off with

will do a couple more lessons on the foamies before i buy something though

Care to point me to a good surf shop on the northern beaches (sydney) or anywhere in Newcastle?


ZmCP

[dtc]

At your weight I would definitely go more for the 9ft. At 19 you are still growing, so will add a few kg probably in the next year or so (and then another 15kg in the next 15 years. Or was that just me?). Anyway, 9ft (give or take a few inches) is more a standard longboard length, it will probably be easier to find a 9ft board than an 8ft one.

Btw, definitely go for a 2nd hand longboard. Well, not definitely if you have the cash to buy new; but there are usually a few around in stores or on gumtree/ebay etc and your first board will be the one you drop, run over rocks with, embed into sandbars etc. That said, if you get a good board it will last (my longboard, which I bought second hand, or third hand or 5th hand, was built in 1994 and is still going strong - a few repairs but otherwise great. But it was a handbuilt one by a well regarded shaper; quality lasts)

Do you have a wetsuit? I'm 6ft3 and 83kg, so a little bit shorter and lighter than you, and I have real problems finding wetsuits that fit; I suspect it might be even harder for you. If you don't have one yet I'll give you a few tips, for what they will be worth.