Surfing Waves

Hi all! So I just recently got an internship in San Diego, I am from Ohio. Ever since I was little I have desperately wanted to surf, so I finally have an opportunity! I have used a foam board once in North Carolina and gotten up, but I know that is a totally different ballpark. I am looking at buying a board on Craigslist. I want to get a board that is affordable (I am a broke college student) but that will allow me to progress throughout the summer. I will be here for 3 months and aim to practice surfing at least once a week, 2-3 times if possible. East coast vacations I would spend hours upon hours in the ocean and had to be dragged out and I am a very stick to it person so I don't believe I am just going to try it then quit it. I play college soccer but have been working on strengthening upper body. Any tips on good cheap boards for a beginner, again allowing for progression. Also any info on great ways to learn to surf on my own without having to pay a lot of money for lessons, I might shell it out for at least one. With lessons and a board the expenses can add up really fast (thankfully I already have access to a wetsuit). I am hoping if I get a board that I can resell it later before I leave (as I can't take it back on the plane with me). I am a female 140 lbs and 5'6". Also, I have been reading up on surfing etiquette and other beginner advice elsewhere. Oh yes and I'm located in Carmel Valley so any good spots near that area so North of the city. Thanks for all your advice in advance!

I haven't ever used a soft foam board but I hear they are really good for beginners. I would recommend a softboard or long board in the 8 to 8'6" range just based on what everyone else recommends. Welcome to the forum and hopefully you will learn to surf. There are Californian forumites who can probably recommend places. If you don't get other responses here try posting in the surf chat subforum

Yeah, go for a wavestorm to start off with - the 8ft one. They are pretty good boards and great for your initial surfing as they are fairly indestructible, dont hurt as much and are cheap and easy to buy. It will keep you going for the first 3 months and wont 'hold you back' in any way during that timeframe (ie yes, there are better boards around, but you wont be good enough in the first three months to get any benefit from buying a better board)

In terms of how to learn - watch youtube; the 'surf simply' videos are brilliant and you will probably watch them multiple times. Start in the white water and catch 40 waves and pop up 40 times, until you get it right - you will struggle with things like the pop up (its really hard to do first time around but then it will click), so read up on this forum and online about that. Once you have that working pretty well, head out for unbroken waves but do it on a small day. With a wavestorm and your size, you only need small waves (like thigh high). Your next problem will be nose diving (perling) and catching waves. Just so you are prepared!

Be optimistic and resilient and have fun