Surfing alone the first time

[Blondiiixoo]

Hi, I'm currently at a standstill to the point where I don't want to surf anymore. I'm a beginner and in the past I have taken lessons here and there. I haven't been able to take a lot of them to really improve because they are very expensive in NYC (where I live.). I also didn't have a board in the past. However last season someone gave me a board and I have tried many times to surf by myself but can't really do it as well. It's also comforting just to have someone in the water with you. I'm really stuck between a rock and a had place, because I love surfing but can't continue lessons because they are very expensive. If I want to move away from this and still get better is there anything I can do? Also none of my friends are really into surfing at all either. I want to get better I just don't know how!!
I feel so alone on this issue so if anyone has ever been here or has tips it would be great.
Thank you!

[jaffa1949]

Hi Blondiiixoo
Wow a challenge for you and for us to help!
A couple of questions to start the help on the way!
How old are you?, male or female, height and weight?
Now the board post a picture of it , if it is unsuitable it will be pushing all the lessons into irrelevance as it will just be a frustrating device.

Non surfers are a challenge as they do not understand what surfing means to somebody who is totally hooked.
There is a great big crowd of amazing people who surf and the more you go the more you'll know.
We'll talk you through this.
Since it is summer there in NY the beaches that are not blackballed will have some surfers, just be friendly and let them know you are a beginner, the worthwhile ones will engage and help you. It is good to have a buddy or people around for safety as well as company.

keep talking on this forum, we have surfers from NYC on the forum, ( who knows).

[dtc]

To surf you need
- some confidence in the water. This is both ability to swim, ability to 'understand' waves. Swimming you can work on, understanding waves if you aren't used to them might actually mean going and doing some body surfing/boarding for a few sessions

- appropriate progression (right board, right conditions)

- persistence. This is the most important thing.

I started surfing late in life and spent hours alone tucked away in a corner of a beach surfing white water. I'm pretty sure I would have progressed faster with companionship, but its still totally possible to get there yourself.

The benefit of the internet is that there are often some fairly simple solutions to issues that plague beginners, but being beginners they don't understand how to solve the problem. But more experienced surfers have solved it and can provide you with tips

As Jaffa said, let us have some more details, your board, what you are trying to do, what you cant do, what is causing you heartache etc etc

[Blondiiixoo]

Hi! Thanks a lot! I'm 19, about 125 lbs, 5feet, and my board is 7 foot. A friend of mine also gave me a 6 foot foam board. However, I steer away from using this because I don't have the balance on it.

[jaffa1949]

See if you can post a picture of your 7ft board, boards of that size can be for all sorts of wave conditions , some may be unsuitable for learning.
A little hard to,advise without seeing what you have!

Surfing is not easy it will require your persistence but when you get to surf well, what a great thing to do!

[Big H]

I am learning on my own....sometimes the only one in the water....in these situations I err on the side of consevatisim....learn about water movement, make sure you always have enough "gas in the tank" should you have to swim to shore. I also try not to be the ONLY one out, which isn't an issue now that I've graduated to breaks and choosing when to go to them that the "good" surfers go to.....hahaha, surging alone is NOT a problem anymore (see the crowded lineup thread)....be safe above all else and listen to that inner voice if you have any doubts even if this is at the expense of the speed of your development.

[oldmansurfer]

One thing is all boards are not equal so if you are having trouble you probably need a bigger board. Not that you can't learn to use that board but it may take you longer to learn however once you learn that board should be good for a while. Surfing alone is a tricky thing because you have to look out for yourself . It's fun to have someone to share your ups and downs with and can safer to have them be there in case of problems. I surf alone all the time but I grew up in the ocean and at the same beach that I surf at. I am quite familiar with it's currents and conditions. I walk along the beach before I surf and look to see where the currents are and where the waves are and make a map of the current conditions in my mind before I go out. I surf conservatively, I don't push myself to my limits, I hold some reserve at all times in case I have an emergency situation. I don't put myself into situations where I am likely to get injured and I am quite familiar with the ocean and waves so I know pretty well what to avoid. I took lifesaving classes and was on the highschool swim team. I bodysurfed a lot before I surfed so I am at home in the ocean with all it's waves and currents. So unless you are similar to me you shoudn't surf alone. How do you meet someone to surf with. Well hopefully there will be someone from your area speaking up soon but if not then look for board swaps where surfers get together to get rid of their old gear and find new/used stuff. Go to the beach you want to surf and talk to people get to know them someone will come along hopefully

[Katia13]

Hey there,

Im a surfer girl in New Jersey. I m not quite a beginner, but I'm by no means advanced. My board is a funsize or malibu 7'6. Im a strong swimmer, but I do not mess around when it comes to the ocean so I pay strong attention to conditions and safety is a top priority...funny how that really happens in my ol age of 30! LOL Anyways I usually surf in Deal, NJ which is Exit 105 of the GSP. Not that I expect you to go but Im heading on down tomorrow... (I live in NJ 14 miles out of NYC so I drive an hour down the Parkway, but its all worth it for even 1 good wave!) Anyway feel free to pm me. I've experienced the same conflict and Ive aways wanted to actually even mae a meetup event for women who want to surf of all ages. I ve met a few women in the same predicament and I even watched a few give up because it can be intimidating to paddle out with a bunch of experienced dudes in the line up.. some of which can be rude snaking punks. Anyway pm me with any questions. I've got my booties and my 4/3 wetsuit so I should be out and about when there are waves until late November.

[dtc]

Great stuff.

[Jester]

Read EVERYTHING on this site!! Obsess over it, devour it..watch all the surf instruction videos you can on YouTube, some of them designed specifically for girls Lyn Jane bate does some good ones. Watch ALL of the surf simply broadcasts and the 110% surfing videos. And don't forget to just enjoy the beautiful dance with nature each time you go, feel the free energy and enjoy it all, the sunsets, the freedom, the 'being there'.

Happy hunting

[Big H]

.....watch all the surf instruction videos you can on YouTube....Watch ALL of the surf simply broadcasts and the 110% surfing videos.

Those have been the core sources of my instruction.

[PurseStrings]

You're definitely not alone. A lot of us have gone through the same thing. It's scary the first time, but once you go into the water and just practice what you've learned, it will get easier each time.

I also found this article really helpful! https://girlgonesurfing.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/surfing-sans-buddy-when-youre-a-beginner/

[Big H]

You're definitely not alone. A lot of us have gone through the same thing. It's scary the first time, but once you go into the water and just practice what you've learned, it will get easier each time.

I also found this article really helpful! https://girlgonesurfing.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/surfing-sans-buddy-when-youre-a-beginner/

I liked that except for the bit about the man in the grey suit....that was a little off tune. Agreed though on the main point; know your limits and stay well within them when alone....safety first.