I really need help!!!

[beginner23]

I have never surfed before and I am 16. Am I too old to start learning how to surf if I eventually want to compete? And if I'm not too old, will I be competing with 4 and 5 year olds?

[drowningbitbybit]

If you've never surfed before at 16, then you aint ever gonna be world champion.
But that shouldnt stop you learning to surf, and you can enter local competitions.

Surfing, for the most part, isnt about competing against others. Its about being in the water, having fun, and catching the stoke.

[beginner23]

Thank you so much! I certainly don't expect to be world champion but I am terrified of sharks. Have you ever had any encounters?

[jaffa1949]

Hi ya beginner, if you live in Australia then16 is a good age to start surfing and just getting the amazing amount of fun it will give you for the rest of your life.
Do it for your own enjoyment it's that simple.
As for sharks, well in Australia you would be just going for your drivers licence and that is way more dangerous than the likely hood of you meeting a shark.
Drive carefully, sadly we lose more teenagers in cars than anywhere else.

[BatRunt]

I hope you not too old, as i'm 40 and only just started learning!!!

[beginner23]

Unfortunately I live in the United States, (and I'm working on getting my drivers licence!) Another question I have is after I have learned, is it dangerous to surf on my own? I understand that there are many other people in the water but is it okay to go out surfing unaccompanied?

[tonylamont]

Unfortunately I live in the United States, (and I'm working on getting my drivers licence!) Another question I have is after I have learned, is it dangerous to surf on my own? I understand that there are many other people in the water but is it okay to go out surfing unaccompanied?

It is always safer to surf with a buddy. That said, tons of people surf solo. As a beginner, a lot depends upon your swimming ability and the conditions at the site you are surfing. If you can swim well, and if you make sure to choose a good learning spot / time (sandy beach break without coral / rocks, gentle waves w/o major rips, etc.) it's not that dangerous. I'm learning myself and have logged a number of solo sessions.

I'd research your local beaches and pick a good, safe beginner spot. And be sure to know the conditions beforehand and avoid going out in waves you can't handle. There's a lot of good resources on the web about where to go and what to do if you're a beginner - use those.

Also, a good surf lesson or two can be helpful in getting started, though pick your teacher well and explain that you are really interested in learning how to surf properly and not just standing on the first day. There are some surf lessons out there, particularly in touristy places, that are designed to get you standing right away but that do not necessarily teach the right way to do it.

[PredationSA]

90% of the time i have to surf on my own I don't like it because even if you do befriend people in the water, i don't feel like they are ever "watching out" for you so I agree with tony and start off going to known beginner spots since they're often picked as beginner because they don't have mad rips, the waves aren't "heavy etc.

[beginner23]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help! I'll probably have many more questions!

[beginner23]

Do chicks get the same respect in the water as guys?

[tonylamont]

Do chicks get the same respect in the water as guys?

I think this depends upon the persons and breaks involved. I'm sure there is some chauvinism out there, but also I think in a lot of circumstances chicks can get away with a little more than guys can. They're less likely to throw punches at you, anyway! Overall, respect depends a lot on how you act, but it also depends on how crowded the break is and the general vibe in the area. Bottom line, some places just have more localism than others.

As a beginner, male or female, you'll want to stay out of the way of experienced surfers until you have a pretty good handle on riding waves and the rules of the line-up. It's best to pick a mellow break down the beach from the main line-up. Once your skills are at the level to join the line-up, I'm sure you'll do fine.

[beginner23]

Thanks for the advice! To learn how to surf, some people have told me to get formal lessons and others have said to learn from locals. Which is a better idea? I feel like someone not getting paid wouldn't want to waste their time teaching a beginner like me ):>

[drowningbitbybit]

"learn from locals"? Jeez, whoever said that must have a lot nicer locals than I've got at the 'bra...

Watch the locals and learn that way, definitely. But, no, unless you're already good friends they wont be interested in teaching you. Take a couple of lessons just to get the basics and, more importantly, the safety issues under your belt, and then after that its just time in the water and practise practise practise.

[tonylamont]

Agree 100%. Unless you already have a friend who is willing to teach, go the lesson route. I initially took one lesson to get started, then went back for one more after a number of sessions to get pointers / correct bad habits.