Newbie questions

[Mayday981]

Hi everybody,

Hope everyone here is doing well. I'm going to have my second surfing lesson this Sunday in Santa Monica. I actually had my first lesson last year in Hawaii and I've decided I want to continue surfing as a hobby. I just have a couple of questions:

1) I'm going for one lesson this Sunday but I'm thinking about investing in their ten lesson package. Do you think this would be enough or overkill? I really want to get the basics down before I go by myself. My friends don't really like to surf or can afford it so I'll eventually have to surf on my own.

2) Should I buy a board now or later? I'm asking that because I don't want to switch boards right away. However, do you guys think after I get ten lessons and get the basics down that I'll be ready for shortboards?

3) How many lessons do you think I need before I would be ready to go myself?

4) Is there anybody here in Los Angeles/Orange County who would like to meet up and surf?

Thanks in advance for your help guys.

[behindThePeak]

welcome Mayday, keep at it. it's totally worth learning.

1) you gotta get up pretty early in the morning to surf alone in LA. I wouldn't worry about that one.
2) pros and cons here, buying a board gives you consistency which is helpful. but you'll have to buy 'blind' as you don't know what you like yet. it's not likely you'll be ready to shortboard after 10 days, but maybe... what to buy and when is a function of where you want to end up, how much time you have, athletic ability, and patience.
3) imo lessons aren't required. you could go by yourself right now provided you bring a healthy respect of the ocean and understand conditions and etiquette. that said, the more lessons the better. each one will shorten your learning curve a lot. it's a time vs money decision. i would try to space them out to give time to practice on your own in between.

[Mayday981]

Hi behindthepeak,

Thanks for your replies. I'm really hoping I learn a lot on these lessons. I know it's going to be challenging but I'm ready and willing to learn. The only problem is that the only times I have to really practice is during the weekends due to work. However, I'm hoping the lessons will help me to build up my skill faster.

Also, once I decide on buying a board, I plan to wake up really early and start going to the beaches before work to get about 2 hours of surfing time in. Hopefully that will help my progress.