Surfing Waves

hi everyone i really want to learn to surf, right now im in australia and everyone pays for a surfing lesson i dont want to do that because i think its a bit silly, most of the people just learn by themselves. in my country i tried to surf a lot of times in a shortboard 6.3 but never standed up, but i have some knowledge of how to paddle and i can also duck dive beacuse i tried a lot of times so i need some advice i dont want to buy a longboard im thinking about a fish, i need some help what do you think is best to hire surfing lessons or what should i do? my height is 1.70 meters and my weight around 145 pounds i hope someone can help me because i cant decide what to do, thank you very much for your answers

If you do buy a fish, or shortboard be prepared for a long hard struggle to learn to surf. A longboard isn't the only way to learn to surf but it is the most fun. You will be standing and turning and on the open face weeks, if not months sooner. You will learn to read a wave and know what turn to do at the right time, possibly years sooner.

A fish is anything but a beginner board, and if you insist on struggling needlessly you might as well just get a shortboard (fat and wide) and start practicing a lot. By a lot, I mean, every day, if you want to get anywhere.

Have you though about a hybrid/funboard, egg, or a mini-mal? These are all a lot more forgiving than a shortboard or a fish. Not as ideal for learning as a longboard but a good compromise?

Fish (proper fish that is, not the 7' things they call fish these days) are hopeless for beginners.

Go and take a few lessons, then you'll realise why its not silly.

Hello Raplaza,
The term fish can mean different things to different people, just like a short board can mean differnt things to different people. My son Kevin got a few of the basics down on a longboard and then finished his learning on a 6'6" Randy French Fish. The fish he used is much wider and thicker than a traditional short board and with the added width in the nose and tail it was perfect for helping him progress. He is now riding a high performance Channel Islands Surfboard, but the fish did help him progress. Like already stated a longboard is probably best for learning, but you stated you did not want to go that way, so I would say rent or borrow a fish and see how you do.

Good Luck!

thanks everyone for their response, probably i will just hire some lessons and buy a longboard.. how long the board should be and can you gime me any advice i know that the time it will take you to surf depends on how many hours you pratice and your skills but im going to do it frequently at least 4 days a week how long ot would take me to move to a shorter board? i want to know if its better just to rent one longboard and then buy a board or i just buy the longboard, thank you

raplaza wrote:thanks everyone for their response, probably i will just hire some lessons and buy a longboard.. how long the board should be and can you gime me any advice i know that the time it will take you to surf depends on how many hours you pratice and your skills but im going to do it frequently at least 4 days a week how long ot would take me to move to a shorter board? i want to know if its better just to rent one longboard and then buy a board or i just buy the longboard, thank you

For you, anything 7'6" -9' would make a good first board. I wouldn't recommend a true longboard as a first board as they can be a bit of a mission to handle in the water for a new surfer, but don't let you put that off as they are very easy to stand up on and ride.

raplaza » If you desire to surf a shortboard then buy a shortboard and go for it. In six months time you should be able to surf it quite reasonably. The biggest determining factor in shortboard progression is the surf itself. Mushy surf is difficult to progress on whereas awesome walls and nice weather make it easier to progress. Decide on your ‘board and just go have some fun.
NOTE: Surfing really is a way of life mind you if you truly want to become a surfer. Surfing needs to be everything you can give it for a couple of years at least – and after this time you will always be able to think of something to make you smile wherever and whenever you are in later life, I know I do!

raplaza » start with at least a few lessons, foam long board 9 feet and white water. Anything else is just dangerous for the first time.

Better to save up the money and wait for lessons than go out, hurt yourself and get stuck with a $5,000 hospital bill (is it dollars in Australia?).

esoncar, good point about the mindset. It is something that eventually becomes a part of you. It sounds like he may just want to "learn" for a brief season. If you make it a long term, then it won't be rushed and comes right.