Can you really teach surfing?

[lok'din]

I've been asked recently to teach somebody to surf.I never had anybody really teach me how to,sure the older crew threw a few tips my way, but when it came down to really learning how, I had to discover that myself through trial n error, persistance and probably a lot of luck.If there is any pro surf couches out there(or anybody) it would be great to hear your ideas.

[michaeldl]

no one can realy teach somone anything in the sence you mean.This maby said ,you are a guide you must use your tools[your awerness of knowlage]to help guide .but you cannot rearrange somones head.Nor can you where there shoes.critique give advice watch stance, balance,desire and help them feed there own flame.dont play expert they only will be able to grasp the basics.and we all fall back on basics. so over enfeisize them too the point of foolish then the will take there own step.

[namino tsume]

just teach them how to paddle, lay down on the board, and pop up, then let them figure the rest, mabye throwing in a tip here and there.