What is surfing like?

[jimgirt]

Ive never tried surfing but it has always been something I wanted to do. Im going this weekend for my first time. I was wondering what you guys and gals thought surfing was most comparable to.(skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding) Ive been told that I would be good at surfing because I groove it on the slopes but I was wondering what you guys thought. Thanks


Jim

[tree_hugger]

its like flying in the wave. freedom just you and the ocean (well if you find a quiet spot).My mate skateboarded before he surfed and i think that help him to stand up and get his balance right quickly.
soulsurf on dude

[surf patrol]

Hi jimgirt, welcome to Surfing Waves

Good luck at the weekend. Any boardsport will help with surfing. I skated before I surfed and hopefully it helped. I had a go at snowboarding last year and both surfing and skating helped loads.

[TokyotheKid]

OOOOO you'll love it, i still love it, whenever i catch the wave theres like a connection and you get all excited. you'll love ittt, i remember my first couple times when i started, the waves i caught were pretty crappy, they were like not even a foot high, but then i went surfing with my friend john to this little "secret spot" and like the waves were perfect after the swell. they were nice and slow ooooo my gosh , then i caught a wave with a 6 foot face.. it felt soooooo great and i did some kick backs and everything

you'll love surfing


go for it

[jimgirt]

Yeah, Hopefully I wont totally suck. It looks awsome, Im sure Ill have a good time.

[sinistapenguin]

Surfing isn't really like anything else.

This is probably why surfing computer games tend to be unsuccessful or at least have to be unrealistic. Most of the things you can do in real surfing are fairly boring for a gamer, turning etc. But surfing is about feelings and that's what makes it unique.

In fact Skateboarding was invented by California surfers looking for an alternative when it was flat. They screwed roller skate wheels onto planks of wood and 'surfed the sidewalks'.

The problem is that you can't get the feeling of dropping into a wave unless you do it. It is IMPOSSIBLE to recreate the feeling of getting into a tube, it is a truly unique experience.

This is why people fall in love with surfing so much - it's all about the emotions and feelings it conjures up when you are out there. This is why non-surfers don't understand it either.

I have never met anyone who tried surfing and came away thinking - "that was OK, I'm not bothered if I do it again though". Everyone I know who has tried it has been hooked straight away!

Get out there! You won't regret it.

Also, about 'totally sucking' - I can pretty much guarantee that you won't be pulling into barrels, or doing 360 aerials after your first go, but even if you don't manage to stand up, even if you only get carried to shore lying down, you will love the feeling and you WILL want to go again!

Cheers

Sinista

[PapaW]

You'll know it when you feel it...

[pacificasurfgurl]

HI Jim!! I totaly agree with these guys. I am a beginner ( 4 months exactly). I don't snowboard or skateboard. I took one surf lesson to know the basic stuff about surfing. By the end of my lesson I was able to catch a small wave ( white water) and did my "pop up". I was so exicted that I screamed in such happiness "WOHOOOOOOOO" once the force of the wave swept me to the shore, I jumped of my board and danced. Ever since then I am hook and I am glad that I open my mind to this awesome experience of surfing. Four months exactly, having able to puddle out to the line up with the rest of the surfers and having a great time while waiting for the wave it's an awesome, magical feeling to experience. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!