Surfing Waves

Hi I'm a teenager from east London an I've always wanted to surf when I grow up and I'm almost old enough to rebel against my past ways and hit the surf for real but there's a few factors stopping me.

My mum and dad aren't surfers. I live in London where the closest thing to surfing is a wave machine at the local pool. I've heard that you should always surf with a mate but my best mate can't swim and I don't see how I'm going to persuade any others to move to the coast with me. I'm great on a belly board as I've been doing this since I was 8 and haven't gone a month with out a session. if I want to be a regular surfer what board do I start on ( I'm not getting a fomie because i will only use it a few times. I can't get a custom board from the surf shop because I don't live within 100 miles of one. My grandad owns a 1970s short board and a longboard both of witch I'm due to in heritage but I'm 16 and he's still got a good 10 years on him. last point ( I promise). what uk area do I move to bearing in mind woolacoombe ( devon) is my favourite surf spot.???

Thankyou if anyone does awnser any questions.

heres what you do,

stay at school, go to sixth form or college or something. you will be 17 before you know it and therefore able to drive yourself to the surf. if you are comfortable enough in the surf to have been bellyboarding since you were 8 you might be ok without a buddy. just make sure you get a lesson or something first and don't surf if nobody else is in until you have much more experience.

Once you finish sixth form you will have some A levels, these will allow you to go to a uni near to good surf. I suggest Swansea, Plymouth, Exeter and possibly Newcastle. Here you will meet many other people to surf with and you can stay there after you graduate.

I agree with surferdude, gonna sound like an oldie now (i'm only 21!) lol but honestly stay and finish your education first and then like he says, choose a uni near the coast and go from there i know the feeling been ages from the waves (Manchester) and it's sooo frustrating but once you've got education out the way you've got the rest of your life to go exploring! Again sorry for sounding like a parent haha but I made the mistake of leaving school at 17 and am now paying stupid fees to get my qualifications, although considering Cornwall for my last year! (fingers crossed!) Anyhoo sorry for the essay but good luck with whatever you decide to do

just realised how much of an old man i sound. im only 22. still the right advice in my opinion though.

Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it. it's my first day back at school tomorrow and will be taking my final gcses so well see how it goes from there. Thanks again.

There are plenty of surfers in London, getting a lift to a break should not be too much of a problem.

Agree with all the above.

I would also suggest you join a surf club. There is bound to be one based somewhere near you. This will give you access to a group of like minded people who will be travelling regularly and organising weekends away etc.