Complete beginner

[deuce22]

Hi.

I recently went on a taster 3 hour surfing lesson and loved it.

I want to start doing it once a week and my first challenge is to be able to stand on the board (at least for a few seconds).

I'm looking to buy a 7ft soft board and I have been advised to buy a 5mm wet suit. The suits I'm looking at are all around £100.

I wanted to know if I should be looking at a specific brand or will they all be similar at that price?

Also, is it possible to surf through the Winter?

I live in South Wales and the beach that I will be using most of the time is Rest Bay.

I've been looking on there webcam periodically and have not noticed anybody surfing, they all seem to be paddle boarding.

Apart from this lesson, I have never done any type of waterspouts, so I'm unsure of a lot of things.

Is there anywhere that tells you all the basics of what I need to know?

Thanks.

[dtc]

go to youtube, or itunes, and watch the 'surf simply' videos. Thats a good start

If you dont know how to swim, learn first! if you do know how to swim but arent very good, practice. If your board gets away from you, you MUST be able to swim to shore by yourself.

Otherwise its just time in the water, practice and experience. Build on your lesson, take it slowly and appreciate that it does take a longish time to learn and get confident and so forth. Surfing is not a natural activity!

As to wetsuits, fortunately I dont need a 5mm one, so I will leave it to those shivering in the cold to advice.

[drowningbitbybit]

Yes, very possible to surf through winter in the UK... but very very cold!
You'll need a good 5mm wetsuit (which will be way more than £100), plus booties, gloves, and probably a hood.
And to be hard as nails
I wasn't so I moved somewhere warmer

If you're going to be surfing reasonably consistently (once a week isn't what I'd call consistent, but consistent enough to improve), then I'd skip the soft board purchase. Have another couple of lessons on a softboard (or just hire one), then buy a 'proper' board.

[deuce22]

Thanks both for the advice.

I'll take a look at those videos. I'm fine at swimming in the sea, so there's no problem there.

I realise that it'll probably take quite a bit of practice from that lesson I had.

What would be the rough price for a decent wetsuit. I've looked at more expensive ones, but they don't seem to say anything different to the cheeper ones.

Cheers.

[drowningbitbybit]

What would be the rough price for a decent wetsuit. I've looked at more expensive ones, but they don't seem to say anything different to the cheeper ones.

Wetsuits are full of technology these days, and the cheap ones are not as good as the more top-end ones. However, you don't need to buy this year's whizzbang model with extra go-faster stripes.

You should be looking for one with double-blind stitching, and fleece-lining works too.
Go for one of the major brands (at some point, you'll come across a cheaper brand that works, but until then, stick with what's reliable).

But the biggest thing is FIT. Don't order online, and don't take the first one you can squeeze into. They need to be just the right level of snug, and comfortable all over. Go to a surf shop with a large range if you can and be prepared to spend an hour or two there.


I just had a quick look online at one of my favourite UK shops (where I still buy wetsuits because it's cheaper than buying them from Australia... even though a lot of them are from Australia...) and around £200 should get you a decent winter wetsuit.

[deuce22]

Thanks Drowningbitbybit.

I think I'll wait a bit longer and put the extra money to a better suit.

I was going to pay around £80 for a soft beginner board. The instructor told me that this would be the best for practising getting to my feet.

What board would you recommend for a beginner if it's not a soft one?

Thanks.

[waikikikichan]

"I was going to pay around £80 for a soft beginner board. The instructor told me that this would be the best for practising getting to my feet."

It's great to search on the internet and forums for advice. However, how many people on this forum have seen you surf ? How many people on this forum can judge your ability, dexterity, stamina, speed and strength ? The one who is the most knowledgable is your surf instructor. If he says you should get a soft board , then listen to him! Since your want to spend a small amount on both board and wetsuit, a soft board will save your money not paying for the inevitable dings and damages had you gotten a hard board. You trusted him with you life, not take his advice.

[jaffa1949]

Agree here, most of my advice is fairly generic I do coach some surfers but it is hands on, so if you have someone for lessons you are going to progress through the initial stages faster.

Paddling catching and getting used to popping up and then riding across the wave is probably a better time to consider a hard board.
English weather being what it is and " winter is coming" the frequency of day to day surf will diminish, soft is agood option for now. Get your skills up have a few more lessons it will benefit you!

[deuce22]

Hi waikikikichan.

I was able to get to my feet on most occasions, but could not always stay on the board. He didn't tell me individually to get a soft board, he told the whole class that it was easier to learn on a soft beginner board. I would feel better on a soft board and assume that it'll take me about a year on it before I'll be comfortable on a solid one. It's not to much of an outlay, considering that it costs £10 to hire one once.

Hi Jaffa1949.

You say "winter is coming the frequency of day to day surf will diminish". Does that mean that there will be less chance to get out and surf through the winter? I though it would be the opposite.

Thanks.

[jaffa1949]

BY winter is coming I meant that there may be more surf, but the temperatures and storm conditions may mean less inclination.
IF you are well suited up and comfortable then any day is good.
If you have the tenacity then you will get surf with more power, choose your spots well.
Beaches that are less turbulent and more sheltered allowing cleaner waves.