New from the uk

[Dex101]

Hey all!

Ok so I am 27 and I have decided this year is the year I finally do what I have always wanted to do and that is properly start surfing.

I have previously had 2 surf lessons about 2 years apart and the most recent of those is about 3 years ago... Basically I'm a complete beginner.

Live in essex in the uk, so nearest surf is Norfolk, about 2 hours drive.

My plan is to try and get up there once a month.

A few questions, how long would you recommend I have lessons for? Obviously progress would be slow but I don't want to end up getting in people's way by not knowing what I'm doing but obviously lessons aren't cheap!

Thanks everyone!

[dtc]

I suggest maybe 4-6 hours of lessons (so maybe 2 or 3 lessons) then get yourself a board and practice by yourself for hours and hours...Most lessons teach you how to do the basics (paddle, pop up) but you need plenty of practice to actually be able to do this - paying for a lesson wont help really, other than provide you with a board.

So lesson, board, practice. Start in white water, until you can pop up and not fall off most of the time. Now and then paddle out the back to the unbroken waves (on a small day) but don't necessarily try to catch the waves, just sit there and experience. Maybe try some of the smaller waves - there is a difference in paddling and 'impact' between white water (the water catches you and shoves you forward) and unbroken waves (its up to you to catch the wave) that is a big learning experience.

Its easy to keep out of the way of people, just start off no where near them. Read up on surf etiquette and positioning and what to do/not to do (lessons often don't teach you this stuff anyway). As you get better and start going out back, start off on a secondary break away from everyone else.

Then, after you have caught a few waves, think about whether you want another lesson. Maybe, maybe not.

After a year or 18 month, see if you can get a lesson one on one, for any tips and flaw identification.

More important is buying a good and suitable board (longboard!) and thinking about what is working/failing and reading up and asking questions.

Enjoy!

[drowningbitbybit]

Live in essex in the uk, so nearest surf is Norfolk, about 2 hours drive.
My plan is to try and get up there once a month.

You'll be lucky if you see surf once a month in Norfolk, especially in summer. And even when you do get surf, it'll inconveniently arrive on a Tuesday morning while you're at work

So be prepared to start driving to Devon and back every weekend

[Dex101]

Thanks DTC thats great advice.

Already read all the Surfing waves info for beginners and will keep scouring the web for more.

I was hoping that would be your answer about just hiring/buying a board and keep on practising as that really is what I wanted to be able to do. Wasnt sure if there was some unwritten rule for progressing from whitewater in lessons and out the back.

I am assuming that as long as the whitewater looks big enough to push you a long and it looks safe to surf then I can choose places that are quiet for me to practise?

I really cant wait for the day I cant my first wave thats green water.

How hard is it to find places for a beginner to practise when the weather turns worse (thinking ahead to late Autumn and winter?

Drowningbitbybit, you make a very good point that I hadnt even thought of regarding when the waves will actually be working. Im not fixing myself on Norfolk, its just the most convenient! I have a tent so even if its devon or wales its not too bad to get too really.

[dtc]

You want white water that is big enough to push you along, has a bit of length to it (ie the waves break a bit out from the beach) but keep in mind that the water has to be deep enough so you aren't hitting your fins on the bottom. However, if the white water is too big its quite hard - the impact when the water hits you may knock you off your board or be so bumpy that its takes you 5 seconds to get your balance back and by then you are already at the beach. There doesn't need to be much white water; if you have a long (and thus floaty) board, shin high white water will usually be enough

I think there is benefit in starting in white water on a proper surf beach (ie where there are surfers) so that by the time you start going out back, you 'understand' the beach a bit, are comfortable on it, have watched other surfers. While starting in a nice quiet beach seems good and you are out of the way, if that isn't a surf beach you then have to move over to a totally different beach, which adds to the stress and uncertainties.

Of course, you don't need to surf right in front of the other surfers, go over to the side out of their way. You only need white water, not a surfable wave; most beaches will have waves good to surf and a secondary or 'thirdary' break that no one will be surfing, but which will still produce white water.

I also urge you to, if you can, try and spend several days in a row surfing. Surfing with a long break will be two steps forward and 1 or 1.5 steps back due to the break. Sure, after 10 months you might be 7 steps 'ahead'; but if you surfed 7 days straight you might be 10 or 12 steps ahead. 7 days straight up might not be physically possible (your arms will fall off), but a few weekends then a 5 day stay or something might be doable. I reckon, starting from scratch (and it being very variable between people) that you probably need 20 - 50 hours in the water before you are starting to catch green waves on your own; having a month break between sessions probably adds 30-50% to those timeframes.

I don't live on the coast so am perfectly aware there are life and expense and other reasons why you can't always spend a week surfing; but if you can manage it (even just staying over night on your weekends) it will be greatly to your benefit

Once you are able to consistently pop up in white water without falling over, start going out back. I imagine in the UK there will be a usual mix of good and bad surfers; but as long as you know your surf etiquette I can imagine the other surfers will mind - everyone has to learn, most surfers are more than willing to give you some leeway or tips - so long as you aren't getting in their way or being a danger to them

[BaNZ]

Live in essex in the uk, so nearest surf is Norfolk, about 2 hours drive.
My plan is to try and get up there once a month.

You'll be lucky if you see surf once a month in Norfolk, especially in summer. And even when you do get surf, it'll inconveniently arrive on a Tuesday morning while you're at work

So be prepared to start driving to Devon and back every weekend

I've surfed Cromer for for a year now. Yes, dbb is right. Plus cromer isn't so beginner friendly with the white wash. It will throw you onto the beach and the rocks, oh god they are painful.

I love Devon, great breaks and beautiful scenery. Just too bad it is so far from Cambridge.

[Dex101]

Thanks guys, thats really good to know especially with the time periods as well.

I have a tent so over night stays more than doable! Getting married in December so longer trips wont be possible till after then, but next year planning a week away in Portugal so my aim is to get comfortable riding white water by then so that it can be a week of learning on green water. looks like I will be getting well acquainted with the M4!

[dtc]

Sounds like a good plan. Obviously there are also land based activities you can do to assist surfing if you want during the downtime, specifically swimming but any cardio or weights work will help in some way.

[adverd]

Dex101! Fist of all best of luck from my side for your adventure. Let me know buddy you what are your next plans now?

[kitesurfer]

I'm afraid I have some bad news for you dex. Getting married and learning to surf don't generally mix very well. Both require high levels of comittment. Good luck with both.

KS