Surfing Alone

[tapetheescape]

I think I know the answer to this question, but...

I've had about 5 lessons and feel confident in small waves, is it a good idea for me to go out in small waves on my own?

I have a little time next week to go to the "reef" at Bournmouth, and I'd be on my own.

[oldmansurfer]

I surf alone frequently but I have been doing that for my whole life or at least all the time I surfed. Prior to surfing I used to body surf and paipo board and for a while I never did those activities alone. There is a risk to surfing alone. What it boils down to is that should you get in trouble by yourself, they will have a much harder time finding your dead body. I am aware of that risk and willing to accept it. I also have a long history of having no problems surfing alone. The risk for you would probably much greater than it ever was for me because I was extremely familar with waves and currents and how to get in and out of breaks long before I started surfing

[waikikikichan]

I would never surf "alone". Meaning, surfing at a break totally void of any other surfers. Many things can happen, board hit you in the head, dislocate your shoulder, leash break and board floats away, ........ Sharks ........, etc. So don't surf all by yourself.

I think you mean by your question is if it's "okay to surf without your instructor". The 5th time during your lesson, did you catch the waves all by yourself without him pushing you ? Can you by yourself determine what waves are catchable and safe to go on ? Can you by yourself know where to sit to not be in others way but also allow you to surf ? People think they don't need surfing instructors because they can stand up. What they don't realize is the 2nd pair of EYES that look out for them. You're paying for their experience and advice on where to sit and when to paddle. They protect you. By yourself you lose that.

[drowningbitbybit]

^^^^^^^ What he said.

At your stage (and at Bournemouth, which is hardly a tricky wave... hardly a wave in fact), you should be fine to surf as long as their are other surfers out – if there aren't, it's probably not a great day to surf anyway.
Don't go out entirely on your own, particularly if you are planning on paddling out to the reef (is that still being used for surfing?). The sweep can be strong and you might find yourself carried halfway down the south coast.

Stick with the crowd and you should be fine.