New member / Progression Question

[hypersoniq]

Hi all,
great site here!

My name is John, I'm 37, live in PA (USA) and have never touched a surfboard yet...

We are moving to Surfside Beach, SC (USA) in 2008 (august) and I plan to make surfing a weekend ritual (more frequent depending on where in town we end up living). Since I have so much time until then, I have decided to get prepared a bit for it. My current plan

1.) Pick up a Balance 360 board
2.) Build an indo-style board (plans form this site, too cool)
3.) Pick up a Flowboard in springtime
4.) get in shape ahead of time by swimming laps at the local pools and get some increased flexability by practicing some yoga
5.) read every how-to and watch every single megabyte of online surf video I can get my mouse on...

I would like to know if there is any particular board size/style path I should take to reach my end goal (airs)... iF I am planning on surfing rather frequently, is there a better starter choice than a longboard or mini-mal?

Which is the best style of board to ride that closely approximates a skateboard?

thanks for any and all help...

[isaluteyou]

sounds like you go a decent plan for preperations try popping up in your bedroom and practise that everyday. (this wont help that much but every little helps )

[Driftingalong]

I wouldn't worry about it too much yet.

Try taking a lesson when you get there. Talk to someone at a shop. Try renting a board and see how easy/difficult it is for you. Then decide what you might want to get. Most people will probably still advise something on the larger side...

[gdude335]

sounds like you go a decent plan for preperations try popping up in your bedroom and practise that everyday. (this wont help that much but every little helps )

i was gonna say that!
sounds like a big plan but it should work.
for the board i would rent one and then move down sizes if you want to shortboard or just start off with a longboard (maybe rent it once and then buy)

[GowerCharger]

i would still say start on a minimal, not just for the stability etc, the main advantage of a minimal youll catch more waves and thats what leads to progressing.

Surfing has been called the hardest sport in the world, and itrs probably not far off, dont expect to be doing airs for at least a few years of going regularly, and thats if you ever get that good (most dont). But dont let that put you off, once you start youll find theres a whole lot more to surfing than jsut the flashy new school tricks the top pros are doing. It really is true that only a surfer knows the feeling, so its hard to explain, but youll soon find out for yourself how addictive it is.

[gdude335]

i would still say start on a minimal, not just for the stability etc, the main advantage of a minimal youll catch more waves and thats what leads to progressing.

Surfing has been called the hardest sport in the world, and itrs probably not far off, dont expect to be doing airs for at least a few years of going regularly, and thats if you ever get that good (most dont). But dont let that put you off, once you start youll find theres a whole lot more to surfing than jsut the flashy new school tricks the top pros are doing. It really is true that only a surfer knows the feeling, so its hard to explain, but youll soon find out for yourself how addictive it is.

remember that if you starrt, you will only end once in the grave. I didnt think surfing would be so addicting. I think its the combination of so many different feelings. In one session these are some feelings a person can and probably will get: relaxed (waiting for the wave), pushing yourself (paddling out), accomplishment, friendship, exilaration, adrenaline, fast thinking, concentration, happiness.
Those are not all, i probably forgot some but still. Now i probably got you impatient, akk 11 more days to go with no surfing, itching itching. Dam operation. grmblgmfg

[sinistapenguin]

My plan for getting into surfing went something like this:

1. Talk with mates about how cool it all looks
2. Make the (somewhat misguided) assumption that because I skateboard, it'll help - remember MOST of surfing is paddling!
3. See a 'surfing starter pack' in a surf shop in wales. Part with £200 on a whim.
4. Take the surfboard into the water and try and copy everyone else.

Forward planning was never my forte!

[Jimi]

sounds like a pretty serious plan... My plan is a lot more simple...
1:get talked into it by my brother...
2:buy a minimal off ebay on a whim...
3:go out and catch whitewash and practise standing in whitewash (where I'm up to now)
4:catch unbroken waves and stand up.

getting up to step 3 was real easy... it's just that last step in the plan that's taking a while (mind you I only started a week ago) so if you have the dedication to do laps at the pool, then you'll be able to stay out a lot longer and learn quicker without getting tired.

[hypersoniq]

thanks everyone for the replies.

[isaluteyou]

2:buy a minimal off ebay on a whim...

spontaneous is good:D a freind of mine rented a foam board after 10 mins on it i went home grabbed my credit card and purchased a board. Never looked back since