New to the sport

[dhealey93]

Hi guys.
im relatively new to the sport picking it up in my mid 20's and was just after some advice.

Whats the best stuff to wear i.e brands and cool gear to get so i fit in?
and where should i go on my holidays? i want to dive right in on the big waves like you guys

Any help would be much appreciated
thanks

[kitesurfer]

Get yourself a wetsuit, book yourself on a surfing lesson and forget about surfing big waves. Its about having fun in the sea not trying to fit in with anyone or any type of image. The sooner you realise this the better.

KS

[oldmansurfer]

Welcome to the forum dhealy93. If you really want some good information we would need to know how long you have been surfing like you have only surfed once/ you have surfed every day for a hundred times/surfed a few times over a year. All of those would fit with relatively new to surfing but all would require different suggestions. If you have been surfing a bit then what problems are you having. Also where do you live because if you live in Hawaii then you probably don't need a wetsuit.

[jaffa1949]

Whats the best stuff to wear i.e brands and cool gear to get so i fit in?
and where should i go on my holidays? i want to dive right in on the big waves like you guys

Any help would be much appreciated
thanks

Here is the rule
you aint gunna look cool
With all real "cool gear"
as it will be really clear
Cause we can tell at glance
that you don't stand a chance.
it will be your face and your fate
to be marked faux fashion plate.

So how it goes
is to buy utility clothes.
Your quality is known
when your surfing is shown,
by now you might guess
cool, is not how you dress..

Don't be a fashion show pony you will just look like a fool we can tell exactly what your place in the foodchain is as you paddle out.
Learn to surf by all means and take on waves of suitable size for your ability.
Do it any other way and you are a liability to your own and others safety.
First step have a thorough read of the forum across all the subjects particularly about learning

[waikikikichan]

"im relatively new to the sport picking it up in my mid 20's and was just after some advice." - watch the movie "NorthShore" and listen to what Chandler tells Rick. " you got a lot to learn, so just shut up , watch and sweep "

"Whats the best stuff to wear i.e brands and cool gear to get so i fit in? -
Board - Dude, you totally gotta get a Channel Islands Al Merrick Fred Rubble cuz that's what Kelly rides. But before it was the Semi-pro, but before that was the Proton, ( or was it the Dumpster diver ? ) If not LOST is quit popular.
Wear - Billabong, Quiksilver, Volcom, Ripcurl ( Billabong not doing so well financially, But neither is Quiksilver. But hey atleast they got the 11-time champ riding for them. Oh wait ...... scratch that.
Board shorts - anything with 8 way stretch and cost more than my first bicycle.

"and where should i go on my holidays? i want to dive right in on the big waves like you guys" - Third reef Pipe ( but don't go now cuz all the pros are there ), Waimea bay, Mavericks ( it probably closer to you than Hawaii ), or Teahupoo if you can get a flight to Tahiti.

Pipeline - You won't make it to the wet sand before the lifeguard stops you. Like Jaffa said, they can see your type from a mile away
Waimea bay - you won't even make it past the shore break
Mavericks - I won't even comment
Teahupoo - Just watch any video and you tell me if you want to try it.

I've surfed for 20+ years and I don't ride " big waves ". I like 3-4 feet. 6 feet scares me. Plus my gills haven't developed yet.

By the way, in your younger teenager years, where you one of them GIXXER boys ? You know the ones with Suzuki GSX-Rs and Kawasaki Ninja 1000cc+ crotch rockets with loud mufflers doing burnouts on the street ? Those were so COOOOooooooollll.

[waikikikichan]

Didn't notice till now dhealy93, but you should be asking a far relative of yours Mark Healy. He is a very respected Big wave surfer and waterman.

[billie_morini]

Sounds like a wind up to me.

[BaNZ]

Pipeline - You won't make it to the wet sand before the lifeguard stops you. Like Jaffa said, they can see your type from a mile away

Lol is this true? That's hilarious if it is...

[jaffa1949]

Better to stop them than have to rescue them in any surf!

[BaNZ]

- watch the movie "NorthShore" and listen to what Chandler tells Rick. " you got a lot to learn, so just shut up , watch and sweep "

Off the topic but I don't think I've ever seen a proper surf movie. Maybe Surf's Up if you can count that one. Because of your comment, I watched NorthShore last night. When the movie first started, I felt like turning it off. 1987 cheesy acting and it just feels old. I grew up in the 90s so I don't think I've seen any films that old. I'm glad I didn't turned it off, love'd it. I don't know why, but I just love the film. I might force my gf to watch it but normal people probably won't understand.

I'm slightly puzzled, all these surfers in the movies are real surfers in real life? They didn't just pickup surfing to act in this movie I guess?

[jaffa1949]

A lot of surfers can't act just like a lot of actors can't surf.
Some surfers can't even put a sentence together
Try Endless summers 1 and 2 Step into Liquid, Morning Of the Earth. Good old classics, there are new ones
and there is my first Video viewtopic.php?f=6&t=23733
follow the link and see what you think, or does it just stink

[waikikikichan]

in the movie Northshore, the contest surfers were themselves. Lance Burkhart is Laird Hamilton. Occy was himself. Chandler's surfing scenes I think was done by Ken Bradshaw. Most of the Da Hui surfers are real Hui members. Vince Moaloka looks kinda familiar ........ hmm.. wonder who that could be.....

[oldmansurfer]

One of those guys is Gerry Lopez I think Vince guy that waikiki mentions. I liked that movie too. Kind of corny but it had a decent story line. Gerry has been in a few movies.

[dtc]

I always say this but... Point Break!

A documentary I saw recently called 'Riding Giants' was really interesting, great footage and some very perceptive interviews. Its about big wave riding, and well worth a look even if you (like me) think they are insane. When you look at people like Laird Hamilton, he is just as much a freak as Messi or Bolt or Bradman or Aaron (depending on which sport you follow!)

[drowningbitbybit]

I always say this but... Point Break!

Have you ever noticed that in Point Break, there are in fact no point breaks?

They surf at the pier once, but appear to be surfing the beachie, and that's as close as it gets.

[surfyeah]

Have you ever noticed that in Point Break, there are in fact no point breaks?

haha nice one

[jaffa1949]

Have you ever noticed that in Point Break, there are in fact no point breaks?

haha nice one

And the Bells beach part was filmed in Oregon