Lessons vs Self Taught

[Sparrow]

Ok, so my plan was to take a couple of lessons with a local surf school, rent some gear from them and then go it alone for a bit with some back up advice from them.

Turns out the surf school is no more, and no one around here offers lessons anymore. However, the person who did run the school is still hiring kit, but they cant get out on the waves anymore or offer any lessons.

So do I wait on the off chance I'll be able to find the time to travel to a surf school or do I rent the kit and give it a go? The latter makes me feel a bit....apprehensive but we do have some quieter beaches that would be good to practice paddling and popping.

Advice needed!

[Sar]

I had a couple of lessons a few years ago and then went alone for a long while, I have picked up lots of bads habits which are taking me a long time to unlearn!
I would go with going to a surf camp for a week where they can give you a good grounding and you can go from there. A couple of hour lessons and they will focus on you standing up but not the right way to do it - hence the bad habits.

I thoroughly recommend a surf school in Peniche, Portugal (Peniche Surf Camp - very very good people/place)...having just got back from there. Portugal is cheap compared other places in Europe and has a mild climate too.

[naniekso]

i self taught, and added on to my own skills what i saw other people do, and asked other more experienced surfers.

[aaron d]

I would certainly encourage you to buy a beginner board - eg: bic 7 ' 9 and get out there and get wet, only when its suitable - not too big waves, someone else around, no major rips or anything...., assuming your comfortable in the sea......

you should improve a bit, especially if your going regularly...

I myself live on the wrong side of ireland, so only got to go here and there, i taught myself to the stage where i was trying to go down the line, then got some lessons in portugal and founda loada things i was doing wrong, and improved bucket loads more, hence i would defo recommend you get lessons as soon as an oppertunity presents itself, esp once your comfortable in the waves and standing up regularly....... after that you may pick up bad habits, however you may correct them later if your out all the time.., because i was only surfing here and there, getting rid of bad habits would have taken years.....good luck..

[FreeHal04]

I'd go for lessons if you can. I've tried going out without instruction and I just know I'm doing things wrong without even being told. As soon as I get the chance I'll try some lessons. I figure it's better to learn the right way first, instead of learning something the wrong way and then having to reteach yourself. That just seems like a pain in the butt.

[greypump]

A couple of lessons and then learning myself. Some good DVDs out there to learn basics from too. 110 % Surfing Techniques for example. Reckon I'd like some more advanced help later down the line to keep things in check but reckon I can learn more just now by practicing.

[jonathanderick]

I taught myself by watching plenty of surf videos, reading many how-to-surf articles online, asking questions on this forum and of course, spending a lot of time in the water. It took me about a year and a half to get to where I am now: I could stand up consistently, occasionally go down the line and now, I'm messing around with my bottom turn.

I'm sure the learning curve would've been quicker if I had someone critiquing me, however.

[surf patrol]

Hey Sparrow

I think you should just get into it. Myself and 98% of surfers i know are 100% self taught and some of them have reached a very high level and are sponsored. It just requires a good amount of dedication and commitment but it is sooo worth it.
Enjoy and hope you get some good waves
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[Lomax]

Just do it. Waiting to take lessons is pointless.