First time "surfing" on my own

[Dex101]

Hi guys,

so after a year or so of having one lesson per summer I decided it was time to get serious and embrace Surfing wholeheartedly. Went out and bought second hand wetsuit, wetsuit boots and a 7' 6 Minimal.

Plan is to surf at least once a month until the summer where I am going to California for 2 weeks and hope to surf at least every other day...

First trip was last weekend, went down to Broadstairs (I was advised by a friend of a friend to check Magic Seaweed for a star and thats the place to go...) Had a great time, was cold but loved every minute of it and was the first time a wave has just completely taken me, so much power behind it.

Problem I did have was the wave was taking me so quickly i didn't have time to try to stand up before coming too close for comfort to the beach. Thought about going further out but was much deeper than I had expected so would have actually been swimming out, I had been told to stick to waist to shoulder height water...

I am going next friday (cheeky work trip means fuels paid for as well) and also going with a friend on the sunday as well so ideally looking for any tips.

Friday trip will be East Wittering way, sunday trip probably similar if thats where the waves are.

Thanks very much for your help.

[dtc]

So long as you can swim (if you lose your board) then you shouldn't stay in the shallows unless you are still catching white water (which is a good way of learning).

In fact, trying to catch even little unbroken waves in the shallows can be more dangerous because you can hit the bottom of the ocean, which isn't great for your health!

But progress out as feels comfortable. At once per month you may find it takes 6 months before you catch much, but that's just what life lets you do I guess

[Dex101]

At present I am still trying to catch the white water, I am comfortable swimming though so maybe I can look to go further out and still catch the white water?

[Big H]

Baby steps.....

What is your plan? How are you going to learn how to surf?

[drowningbitbybit]

As well as the surf forecast, check the tide.

With your SE England breaks, at low tide, you'll have forever before the wave gets too close to the shore, even if you do start in waist-high water. However, at high tide, you're going to run almost immediately into the bank of sand at Broadstairs, or worse still, the pebbles at Wittering.

With the gutless surf in that little corner of the world, ideally you want to surf from low tide as the tide comes in, because the incoming tide will give you a bit more oomph.

Incidentally, in years to come when you're a bit more experienced, you will laugh at...

the first time a wave has just completely taken me, so much power behind it

...because those waves are about as weak as they get

[Surf Hound]

keep using an instructor and avoid crowds if at all possible.

[drowningbitbybit]

avoid crowds if at all possible.

Not really an issue at Broadstairs!

[Dex101]

Thanks guys, that really is much appreciated especially the break specific information.

Hadn't even crossed my mind to think about tides other than some beaches in this part of the world means a long walk to the sea if the tide is out!

I know it's going to take time with the frequency of my trips but i'm in for the long haul so every surf will aim to see a small improvement.

Looking forward to the day when I can look back and laugh at the broadstairs waves

[Dex101]

So today was my second time surfing on my own (as in not a lesson) went down to camber Sands. Not going to lie, surf was terrible, I couldn't even ride one in lying down. However I made the most of it and paddled about lots, also realised that I drag my feet off the side of the board so something to practise at home. Lovely day and was just great being in the sea, being moved about by the swell. Good start to the easter Weekend

[oldgrom22]

Good obeservation regarding your feet off the side of the board. Once you correct that, it will make a noticeable difference when paddling. Keep up that mindset and aim to make the most of every session(like you're doing). Once you get comfortable in the whitewater and able to stand up and ride out most of the ones you're going for, venture out back and see how you get on with some unbroken waves.

[Dex101]

So went down to East Wittering today and enjoyed a good "surf" there. Was on my feet a couple of times so progressed from last two times. Board is much less stable than a foamie so fell off very quickly but enjoyed the challenge and can see how I will be able to start learning to turn. As I am aiming to learn each time I go, learnt the importance of bailing properly! Covering my head each time and aiming to go torso first back from the board. Glad I did as hit the bottom once and saw how you could do damage to ankles, arms, head etc. Should be going again next weekend (surf dependant) the nice thing today was there being actual people out surfing, learnt a lot just watching them. Paddling felt good with feet on the board, found having chin on the board was really helpful to catching the wave too. Once or twice found myself going onto my knee rather than my feet so just bailed off, don't want to start getting into bad habits.

[dtc]

Good to hear - and good to see someone thinking about things. It does all seem like hard baby steps at the moment, but you will soon be walking!

[jaffa1949]

You are on your way! Good stuff

[drowningbitbybit]

So went down to East Wittering today... Should be going again next weekend (surf dependant)

You're pretty much at the end of the season for the south coast - you might get one or two unusual swells hitting the Witts between now and September, but the chances of them coinciding with a weekend are slim

Now that you're beginning to find your feet (or at least finding them on top of a surfboard ), you're going to have start travelling west over the summer. You and the M3 are going to become firm friends

[Dex101]

Thanks guys, knew from the beginning that it wasn't going to be something I would pick up over night so very much just enjoying each time I am out regardless of success!

Will definitely be starting to look west, got a weekend trip for the bank holiday weekend already booked in. Also trying to find meetings for work located in the south west, might as well make the most of having the petrol paid for!

[CARBr6]

Hey Dex,

Glad to see you're learning and having fun, it's what I think surfing is all about really!!
The Witts (we tend to go to West Wittering rather than East) are probably the best we have in our part of the world, I've been attempting this surfing thing for about 3-4 years and have had 1, that's right ONE day of surfable waves at Joss Bay (which is supposedly my local surf spot, I have no idea how the surf school keeps going!!), but it is worth keeping an eye on. My "regular" spot is Polzeath (in fact we were there last week and got some great waves, very clean and tidy on the last day. Thank you Storm Katie!!), but don't forget about Cromer up in Norfolk, that's a pretty decent spot and has friendly crowds and good parking close to the beach.
But keep it up, and perhaps we will bump into each other (hopefully not literally) at the Witts one day.

[CARBr6]

Also, don't forget about "The Hotpipes" at Shoreham.
Just another South coast spot that is actually workable

[Dex101]

Thanks CARBr6 thats really good to hear and thanks for the other tips on spots to check out.

Put off by West Wittering due to car parking costs but will have to brave it at some point just for a change.

I am pretty sure we won't physically bump into each other as I am very nervous about the whole dropping in, getting in the way of better surfers to tend to find my own space. couple of others out at the weekend must have thought I was very anti social as everytime they got closer, I paddled away!

Might be a way to identify me if you see this happening though!

[CARBr6]

Now, I can help you with that.
My wife flat out refuses to pay for parking and as such if you go a little way further down the the beach you will find a road that runs perpendicular to the beach and there is free parking on there (last time I was there there were some locals in a pick up truck with a sofa in the back parked up there.) There is usually free parking on surrounding roads if you don't mind a short walk (2-3 mins max!)
I'm sure anyone who lives there will HATE me for posting this, but the road we park in is called Barn Walk

[Dex101]

Has anyone ever surfed Highcliffe? Looking for a place to go tomorrow... Wittering seem like won't be worth the trip so looking Bournemouth way. Any suggestions would be great!