Hello from Oregon!

[Macktackk]

Hi everyone. My name is Mac, I am 26 and I live in Portland, Or working as a line cook. No, I have never been on a surf board. I am about to schedule my first surf lesson. Like many people I have always wanted to. The opportunity has risen since I moved here from a land locked state a few years ago.

I am a nature freak, growing up in Moab, Utah as well as spending time in Colorado. Outdoor sports are not new to me. I love to river raft, hike, rock climb, and have also done a little mountain biking. I am constantly hearing the water calling to me, which is a big reason I moved up here closer to the coast.

I am a little nervous because I have never been out past shore break and need to improve my swimming. There has been multiple times where I have been thrown from kayaks in some pretty gnarly rapids but I was equipped with a life jacket so that's different.

I feel like I do have an advantage. When I decide I really want to learn something I will do whatever it takes. The thought of not becoming good for ten years or more doesn't scare me. I will spend any of my free time perfecting my craft physically and mentally. I have been working on my culinary career for the past eight years and I plan on going out into the water the same way I walk into the kitchen everyday: ready to work my ass off and be humble. I know that there will always be someone with more experience that I can learn from.

I am a little nervous but extremely excited to start and learn any pointers from all of you. Cheers!

[oldmansurfer]

Welcome Mac, my advice for you is to practice swimming a lot and take lessons at first and after that ask us questions

[surf patrol]

Hi Mac, welcome to Surfing Waves!

[RobSF]

All I can say, Mac, is that I envy you for starting thirty years before I did. Get out there and have fun, which is easy to do without even standing up on the board the first session.