Surfing Waves

I tried finding a post like this because I was sure there was one, but I couldnt find it. So if I missed it, I apologize for reposting. Anyway, what exactly qualifies someone from beginner to intermediate to expert? I transitioned from a 9ft longboard, to a 7' 4" funboard to a 6' short board. I can catch waves fine and I can bottom turn on both lefts and rights. Although I havent surfed anything over 6ft. So if I wanted to take lessons would I take beginner or intermediate? Just curious. I dont want to jump ahead of myself.

if you have to ask you are still a beginner

intermediete = confident surfer who is at home in all types of surf hollow beach break, fat reef break etc etc... is someone who charges hard can read waves very well, Turns very easily and can preform a few hard turns. Among other things i think an intermediete should be at home in 6ft+ surf and probably should beable to hack DOH waves without much difficulty.

Its tricky to sum it all up but thats just my 2c

esonscar wrote:if you have to ask you are still a beginner

yea... that does make sense, ha.

Someone who is 'intermediate' is pretty damn good, can surf big waves in a variety of conditions, and do all the basic maneouvres plus a bunch of more advanced stuff.

But....

IronLion wrote: So if I wanted to take lessons would I take beginner or intermediate?

...for lessons, you'd probably be intermediate. Lessons for beginners are for complete newbies, never been near a board before. Lessons for intermediates are really to take you from beginner to intermediate.

I don't think it should be thought of in those terms - if you are aiming to be 'expert' you should have started when you were 4 years old!!

I believe there are key stages in terms of achievements:

1. Catch first wave
2. Stand up first time
3. Turn for the first time
4. First unbroken wave
5. Turning on the face

Once you've accomplished these, then you are no longer a beginner, but the 'level' you are at becomes much less relevant. Since every wave is different, you can't guarantee that you will achieve any of the 5 steps on any wave. Even pros can fail to catch a wave or bail as they drop in.

The way I see it, you constantly try and re-capture the 'high' you felt when you first stood up and rode the whitewater to the point of ripping your fins off in the sand.

For me it's all about FUN. If you're worrying about being 'intermediate' or 'expert' then you're not having enough fun!

sinistapenguin wrote:I don't think it should be thought of in those terms - if you are aiming to be 'expert' you should have started when you were 4 years old!!

I believe there are key stages in terms of achievements:

1. Catch first wave
2. Stand up first time
3. Turn for the first time
4. First unbroken wave
5. Turning on the face

Once you've accomplished these, then you are no longer a beginner, but the 'level' you are at becomes much less relevant. Since every wave is different, you can't guarantee that you will achieve any of the 5 steps on any wave. Even pros can fail to catch a wave or bail as they drop in.

The way I see it, you constantly try and re-capture the 'high' you felt when you first stood up and rode the whitewater to the point of ripping your fins off in the sand.

For me it's all about FUN. If you're worrying about being 'intermediate' or 'expert' then you're not having enough fun!

I completely agree. I was more curious because I am headed to Portugal in a few weeks and I have been debating on taking lessons and which lessons I should take. I figured I wouldn't take beginner. I can stand up fine and face the wave, (front side and back side) but I definitely am still wet behind the ears. I get unstable a lot. I float off from the line up without realizing it half the time, haha.

...in which case, I would go for an intermediate lesson - as dbbb says (he's always right that guy!); beginners lessons will assume you don't know whether the fins go at the front or back.

Some places do reasonably priced 1 to 1 lessons, which are probably even better because it'll be tailored exactly to you!

If you're already popping up and can turn then a lot of it is going to be practice practice practice.

Good luck!

After 12 years of surfing I consider myself intermediate. I surf 2 to 3 times a week 2 to 3 hour sessions. When it's overhead or bigger I'm the guy way outside waiting for the biggest sets...