Surfing Waves

Posted by woody1144

Hello all! hope you can help me on a few things?

My name is Rick and i'm about to undertake my journey into the surfing world as a total newb!

Baciclly im heading to Australia's east coast this autumn and think this will be the ideal time to learn to surf as i then plan to continually head to west france in the summer months.

I've decided my best bet is to get some lessons here and then practice like mad in Aus. I've looked around for lessons and think im going to go with this site:
outerreefsurfschool.com/
Looks pretty good and not too far from me.
Anyone had lessons with these before?

Secondley i've decided my best bet is to buy a board and take it to aus rather than shelling out to rent a board every day. As i'm a total newb i'm thinking one of these NSP funboards will suit me for the coming year. I'm 6' 3" and quite slim and have decided on a 6 8 board or a 7 2 minimal, is this a good call?

Thirdly. on the subject of attitude. I'm not scared about the water, getting washed up on the beach or anything (apart from sharks ) but i am nervous about other surfers attitudes. I've read an awful lot about how clicky surfing is and how easy it is just get yelled at/beat up by regulars, is this a myth? i plan to surf in the UK around wales, hossegor (west france) and of course Aus, am i going to get abused lol? i dont plan to drop in on anyone or anything but just some of the things i have read have made me feel this sport isnt as chilled as most people think!
I really hope i am wrong!

Sorry for the long post,

Cheers

Rick

Hope to see you in the water soon!

first of all.
I looked at the site. It looks like a good company, i think you should do jsut fine.
About the board. First off all when you ake lessons the board will be included.
How long will you be taking lessons for?
I recommend taking the lessons then asking the instuctor what type of board you should buy. The board will maybe be a bit hard but this all depends on the lessons and such.

As for the local attitude:
First of all, you will probably be in the witewater the first couple of days, so you wont hurt anyone.
Otherwise, as long as you dont drop in on anyone or something you should be fine, remember to always appologise if you drop in on someone and let them have a wave that should be yours.
Ive surfed in france and didnt have a problem with the crowd (boy is it crowded in the summer) but watch out for swimmers.
As long as you respect people you should be fine, i personnaly never had a bad encounter (then again no one surfs where i go or the people are so spread out its a peak for 2 ppl max XD)

have fun surfing!

Hiya mate,

Lessons is a really good starting point, and your instructors will know all about the best board for you, and the best places for your to start out on your own.

I'd wait a little while before you buy your own board, hire different ones and see which you feel more comfortable on.

As far as 'Localism' is concerned, I think as long as your courteous and, importantly, know your own limits, you won't have a problem.

Although that said, there are always gonna be dickheads in the world, and if anyone takes the micky out of you for learning, then just remember that they're probably just trying to make up for having very small genitalia.

Let us know when your over here in Wales.

Good luck dude.