Lessons, Learning, & Advancing

[waterdog62]

Howdy, as many of you know I am a newbie, a pretty intense newbie, but still a newbie. I've been training hard, watching clips, on the internet, and getting in the water at least twice a week. Everyone wants the shortcut when it comes to learning, there is no shortcut, if there was I would have found it by now. However we all want to advance, and the fastest way to advance is to get professonal help. My first lessons were free, Island Water Sports in Deerfield Beach Fl. has free lessons every Sat. morning at 7:00 a.m.. Yeah, you have to get up early but to start out it's worth it. They even furnish the boards, and they have several instructors in the water working with you. They are a great bunch of guys and gals and will get you started. As they are free and a group lesson they can only give you the basics and try to help you have some fun starting out. Now it's time for the second step, a private lesson. Today I am taking a private lesson from Kali "The Big Kahuna" he is one of 6 master instructors in the USA. I think I'm on the right wave by doing this and will give a full report tomorrow of the experience.

[justloafing]

Sounds like your having fun. Keep the stoke.

[Sillysausage]

sounds good. 7 isnt too early though, wait till you start getting up at around 4-5am to get to the beach in the summer to avoid crowds

[waterdog62]

One of the few good things about surfing in So. Fl. is there are no crowds! The bad news is there is seldom any glassy waves. Mostly what we have here is wind swells which is always rough and choppy, with a lot of white water to paddle thru. To some degree I guess it can help to make you a better surfer.

[waterdog62]

Howdy, as I posted yesterday I was going to meet Kali "The Big Kahuna" for a private lesson. It was very cool We got down to the water and it was rough to the point were Kali actually suggested waiting to another day. Me being impatient and eager to learn wouldn't hear of it so on with the lesson. My biggest problem as a newbie has been getting threw the rough white water we have here in So. Fl. I've been using all my energy up and have nothing left to try and pop up. As those who have been following my post know I training hard in the gym,pool and in the surf. So now it was time to learn the technique. Kali was great he showed me how to read the waves, the sets, and how to look for the flat spots, how the depth of the water effects the waves, and different techniques for getting thru the waves while paddling out. As I mentioned it was ugly yesterday including rip currents. Once I had this new knowledge it was much easier. The private lesson was well worth the money and Kali was generous with his time. My next step is more training and then another private lesson on knowing which is the right wave to catch and how better to catch it. I'll keep you fellow gliders up to date as it happens
Aloha

[Otter]

Nice, have a good time!