New surfer from NSW Australia

[2freeq]

hi all, my daughter wanted to learn to surf so i thought i might have a go myself. i brought us a board each, a 5`8 shortboard for her and a 8`4 mini mal for me and we have had 2 "attempts" at the local beach so far. we suck. but we are both loving it and eager to get out in the water again. we live maybe 10 mins from the beach so we are going to surf at least 5 times a week and see how we go. my daughter has never surfed before but i used to body board growing up for about 15 years. so its now time to stand up and be counted for!! anyway just thought id stick my neck out and say hello from my daughter and myself.

[dtc]

Welcome. And good to see you bought a good board.

I do suggest possibly one or two surfing lessons. Not essential of course, but I reckon worthwhile. There are schools up and down the coast

A lot of beginners struggle with the pop up, so I suggest reading around here on pop up and get some tips. Then practice on land and in the white water for a while before tackling waves (then read about perling, which is the other common problem). I was a bodyboarder before surfing as well and it doesnt really help... (well, you understand waves but thats about it)

There are a few NSW people around on the forum who may be able to help out if you have any suggestions etc.

[2freeq]

thanks for that buddy. ive been on youtube watching pop up videos. practicing in the lounge room. ill face pearling when i come across that lol. i knew bodyboarding wouldnt help with surfing so much but im glad im not learning to read the waves and surf ettitquet as well as trying to find my feet. geez this paddling for waves instead of kicking my legson the bodyboard is hard yakka (or maybe im a out of shape old bloke now) haha. tomorrow after work ill be back at the beach trying again. my daughter is super keen and willing to learn which is a good thing

[drowningbitbybit]

Hey

You're in a great spot to learn. I love the 'gong and the breaks thereabouts.

Good times ahead

[2freeq]

Thanks mate, we do have quite a few good breaks around here. i grew up surfing "redsands", "cowries" and "the farm". the first 2 of those will be off limits with a 8`4 mini mal but bring on the farm!!!

[jaffa1949]

Yep the farm that is a great starting point, cowries can be done on a longboard , redsands nup, more attitude issues at cowries though Sandon Point springs to mind and Werri Beach and Black Point Gerroa. a feast for you go get among it! Gerroa has a great habit of generating good women surfers go the daughters
I'm further further south but still in NSW.
Cheers

[dtc]

I also know Wollongong pretty well due to having in laws there and being forced to spend quite a bit of time with them (was in the city last weekend, in fact, watching the Hawks get thrashed), but have actually never surfed there!

I did, however, purchase my very first surfboard from the Byrne Surf shop on the highway and, not only that, it was a locally made Skipp board, specifically one hand shaped by Wollongong legend Frank Latta (well, a lot of places claim him, but he did his shaping in Wollongong). It was about 5th hand but still goes beautifully despite being made in 1994 (!).

So having produced my wife and my first surfboard, I have a soft spot for the area. Not only that, its a beautiful area to live in, lucky you - if I could get a job there I would probably move.

Not that any of the above is relevant to you or probably of any interest.

I did, however, have a point to this, which was to direct you to this thread which has quite a few good tips (obviously mine are the best , but some of the other guys do ok... .)

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22956&hilit=+hand

If it ever stops raining, you can go out and do it all

[2freeq]

the board i brought myself is a byrne board and was shaped by Dave Byrne himself. i was born and raised here and love it. would never leave the area.

thanks for the link to the thread ill go and check it out now!

[2freeq]

there a few good pointers in that thread, ill be in the water tomorrow so ill be going through all that in my head while trying again.

[jaffa1949]

How is it going 2freeQ? The size of the surf over Easter may have a bit daunting, water is warm , how you and your daughters are getting your quota now!
We have great group of women and girls here at Merimbula