Surfing Waves

Hiya Guys,

I am a 40yr old firefighter and I want to learn to surf, I watched Laird Hamilton a few years ago and was in awe of the man the moment I saw him take on JAWS at Peachi in Maui.

I have always been an active outdoor kind of guy and I have always had a good level of fitness and I have decided that I really want to learn to surf. I am going for an intensive 1 week course at Newquay in May and then I want to go to either Hawaii or California and practice some more in the warmer waters.

Can any of you guys offer me any advice on where to go in Hawaii or California as a new guy to the sport.

Hi welcome.

Intense 1 week course will get you started with the basics but surfing is mostly about being in the water. It's not something (most people) can just pick up by going few times.

Would you have regular access to surfing beach? Which part of the world do you hail from? There are many 'learner's beach in California. Generally any mellow breaking beach break suitable for long boarding is a good place to start.

Not meaning to rain on your parade, but a one week's surf course in Newquay in may will get you a) cold b) sore c) just about standing up
After a weeks surfing course, you will not be able to surf. Give it a couple of years, then maybe you'll be able to. A bit.

That's not to say that you shouldnt be taking the course and planning on having your entire life revolve around surfing, but if you think you're going to be ripping and surfing Jaws after a week's course, you're just gonna get frustrated.
So go on your course, get hooked, then practise practise practise... then practise some more. If you're not going regularly (several times per week), you'll never get there. THEN book a holiday somewhere nice and warm.

...Or move. I did

Surfing is not an easy sport to learn DBBB is right with what he says. However surfing is lots of fun, try to remember this when you're getting served a reef or sandbar sandwhich for the first time!

KS

Start small, brother.

Great enthusiasm and thats probably the best way to start off. However, I wouldn't expect a whole lot of success with a weeks coarse. Not sayin' don't do it but surfing takes time, time in the water, time on your board and lots of patience. Not to rain on your parade, but all of us who surf have heard the spill "I am the most coordinated guy in the world, I swim 10 miles before breakfast, I started snow boarding at 3 and now I want to surf" from many before you. The best advice is to have patience, buy a longboard and practice practice practice. If you are like us, you will be hooked and soon everything you do will revolve around surfing in some way. You might move, you might change jobs, there is just no telling what you might do to be able to surf on a regular basis. So again, best advice is to take that coarse and see if you catch the surfing bug but do slow down your expectations until you can at least stand up and from there my friend, your off!!!