Surfing Waves

Hi Guys

as the title says I'm after a little advice please

I've had a few lessons now with the same surf school and each time the instructor has said "it's basically their job to get us standing up"
Now I have had a few SHORT rides in the white water, still a heck of a long way to go before I would class myself even as a beginner.

so my question is would you guys recommend a few more lessons or would you say rent/buy a board and just get out as much as possible?

Thanks for your time.


John

Hyde wrote: rent/buy a board and just get out as much as possible?

Do this. Probably the next 10 - 20 hours of your surfing life, maybe more, will be spent riding the white water and getting used to standing up and then moving towards some small unbroken waves. To be honest, once a teacher has taught you the basics, its a matter of practice and more practice, rather than needing to be told what to do. You know what to do, you just cant do it yet (which is totally expected, not in any way a criticism of you)

Read around, watch some videos to get things sorted in your mind (try the first few 'surf simply' ones on youtube), concentrate on what you are doing and think about it as you are surfing, whats working and what isnt, and you will get just as much out of it as you will from paying for a teacher to stand around and look after you and several others. If you get to a dead end and just cant figure out what to do, then come back here or search the internet, there will probably be an answer you can get for free.

Although buying a board might be a big spend at this stage, think about getting one sooner rather than later because otherwise you will spend a lot on board hire.

Rent a board? You might as well buy one since you will end up paying as much for it You know everyone is different but however you do it the thing which will matter the most in learning to surf is catching the most waves. There are advantages to taking lessons in that the instructor can tell you what you are doing wrong if you get the right instructor anyway and they will keep you safe (usually) till you can get the hang of it. But if you really enjoy it and you know some safe breaks to go surf then just go surf. You are a surfer already and you just need a surfboard.

Hyde wrote: a heck of a long way to go before I would class myself even as a beginner.

Totally the opposite of the usual thread where someone says "I've been surfing a week, and consider myself intermediate"

Popping up and balance is all about muscle memory, so at this point, you just need to go out and do it again and again and again. Maybe think about some "improver" lessons once you've nailed that part.

It takes a while, so don't get discouraged - it's worth it for the end result*



* Disclaimer: end result may include selling house, quitting job, leaving partner to live by the beach and chase waves.

I can't remember who (so if it was you pls claim credit) made a really good suggestion once for someone at your level - go into the white water and pop up 50 times (or 40) before you finish your session. Do that 3-5 times and you will have your pop up nailed. Then move out to the unbroken waves - sure its natural to try and go out ASAP, but get the fundamentals right first and your success on the waves will be much quicker.

Remember: stay low!

Sorry for being late with my thanks

@ DTC, Thanks man I have the Surf Simply videos cued up and will check them out today, I know you said to "concentrate on what you are doing and think about it as you are surfing" although I am trying to do this there has been a few times where I think that I'm "overthinking" things BUT I will persevere Sir thanks.


@ Oldmansurfer, The reason for looking to rent a board for a little while is advice I've picked up hear on SW, my thinking was renting a board/s to find what I feel most comfortable with before making my first purchase, don't get me wrong I'm not looking to by board that will do for the rest of time but a board that will help me learn the most.

As for your kind comment of " You are a surfer already and you just need a surfboard." whilst I'm flattered by that I feel you are doing a great disservice to all the "real surfers" out there to me surfers have style & balance, where as I have as much style as drunk chimp on a unicycle & as much balance as a 3 legged camel in a soggy sandpit

@ Drowningbitbybit, Thanks Man
":lol: Totally the opposite of the usual thread where someone says "I've been surfing a week, and consider myself intermediate" "

I learned "A hard lesson" many years ago doing downhill mountain biking that "you should never confuse your intentions with your abilities"

So I'll swear by that whilst trying to learn to surf.
I'm doing my best to practice my pop ups at home, so far I've developed some wicked bruising on my lower ribcage (Damn hard floor)

Also "* Disclaimer: end result may include selling house, quitting job, leaving partner to live by the beach and chase waves."
already looking for a bigger car for transporting a board

@ DTC Gottcha sir, Practice Practice Practice Practice Practice and then Practice some more, I know I will have some bad days where nothing goes right but the feeling I get just trying to do this make me know I'm in it for the long haul and I WILL NOT GIVE UP.

Thanks for your time and replies guys it is appreciated.


John.

no problems.

LOL Hyde. I read your first post. You are a surfer, you have the stoke already. I was just being silly but it seems obvious you will continue to surf