Are Lessons Necessary?

[eneguenakartsa]

Hey guys, I've never surfed before but will be in Waikiki for a month this summer and would love to learn. I've browsed some schools/instructors offering lessons in the area and they are all very expensive, even in group format. I'm wondering - is it possible to learn by yourself without lessons? The only sport i've learned from scratch on my own is skiing for which a month is more than enough time to get comfortable. What's realistic for surfing?

[phillwilson]

I had two lessons then made my own way.

I was very pleased with this approach as the instructor taught me important safety tips i still follow as well as tips on good technique which although i never managed to use "on the day" have since found their way into my regular repertoire..ie how to pop up keeping looking at the wave rather then your board etc...sometimes its just nice to get the grounding to know you are at least not doing it all completely wrong.

[drowningbitbybit]

The only sport i've learned from scratch on my own is skiing for which a month is more than enough time to get comfortable. What's realistic for surfing?

I'll let you know when it happens. Not more than another 7 or 8 years to go I reckon.

[eneguenakartsa]

The only sport i've learned from scratch on my own is skiing for which a month is more than enough time to get comfortable. What's realistic for surfing?

I'll let you know when it happens. Not more than another 7 or 8 years to go I reckon.

Haha fair enough, but did you need lessons when you just started?

[b123]

they can help, but you definately do not need them.

[drowningbitbybit]

The only sport i've learned from scratch on my own is skiing for which a month is more than enough time to get comfortable. What's realistic for surfing?

I'll let you know when it happens. Not more than another 7 or 8 years to go I reckon.

Haha fair enough, but did you need lessons when you just started?

Nope, I never had one.

With the benefit of hindsight, I reckon a few lessons just to get going and to understand the safety aspects are well worth it, followed by a couple of decades of trial and error

[aaron d]

how often will you be surfing?

I found that I (only going a few times a year) tried to teach myself, got as far as riding whitewater, then did a surfcamp with a great guy in portugal for a week, and wished i had done it earlier, for someone like me, who doesnt get out much, they were fantastic, developed my surfing so much in so little time, i reckon you can definitely teach yourself, but it will take much longer to get to the same level with taking lessons, without instruction....

(lessons from a good, dedicated instuctor that is)

[billie_morini]

I haven't had paid lessons, but I do have a very good friend that would go out with me every 3rd or 4th time I'd go during my first year. He grew up surfing and is fabulous. He'd come along to break bad habits I was forming, tell me how to do things better, and answer questions that I'd have as I'd try new things / progress. I'd say, use this and other forums to make some friends in the area of HI you will be going and ask the same of them. If you can't find that, I'd talk to some of the guys at the breaks you end up going to. Maybe you can find a buddy that way.

My wife has had a couple of lessons. It seemed to serve her well because she had never really not done anything like this before (no white water rafting, canoeing, horses, motorcycles, ice skating, sailing, etc.) If you've been involved in competitive atheletics, you can probably do OK without a lesson. I found I just kind of knew what to do because my life was filled with these kinds of activities. It helps, too, to have some controlled aggression that you can tap. This is something that is often developed in organized competition, no matter what kind.

Go have fun. If you find you really can't figure it out, then get a couple lessons. At least you'll already know what it is like to get wet and wiped out. This will provide you with information to ask better questions of a trainer than if you were going at it completely cold.

[RJD]

I've never had a lesson but then I'm a major kook so what do I know.

Theres only so much you can learn and then practice in a seshion or two, if you do have lessons spread them out and get a lot of water time in.

[sinistapenguin]

I've never had a lesson, but I reckon it's got to be worth having at least one. Aside from anything else it will give you a peer group to cheer you on and look out for you in the early days.

I was watching a school on the beach yesterday. They were all 'popping up' on their boards and feet were landing everywhere - they would have wiped out every time if they were doing that.

I have to say that I have NEVER been able to and STILL Can't pop up properly when catching white water. You're being smashed about by a ton of white water, board's jumping and skipping. Every beginner WILL get to their knee first.

Once you get out back the entire thing changes anyway and with the exception of paddling, duck diving, positioning, timing, avoiding the beginners, drop in/ priority rules, pearling, going over the falls, bottom turns, top turns, rips, rocks and 'having the balls' - it gets much easier!

I would say have one lesson, then decide if you need more or are ready to go it alone!

Sin'

[IB_Surfer]

Honestly, if you are thinking about it do it, then you'll wonder wether you should have gotten them or not.

I wish I had learned from someone, I've taught others and they have progressed faster due to the small helpfull tips.

[surferguy180]

Everyone should either have lessons, or do a course, or read a book before going anywhere near the water, would make the waves a much safer enjoyable place to surf.

[isaluteyou]

lessons i suppose are helpfull to a complete beginer who knows nothing about the ocean. I never took any as i already had good ocean grounding from bodyboarding. I basicaly learnt to surf by wathcing others doing it and browsing surf videos. Site slike this are handy if any questions pop-up. With enough dedication most people find their baby legs in about a month meaning you can actually surf green waves to some degree. But it takes many many years before you develop real confidence and ability and to be honest the elarning process never stops. Just dont expect to be pulling gauging hacks after a month

[torben]

Hi
I recomend you to get a couble of books and some DVD. I used a DVD called Surfer Joe. On You Tube there are hundred of surf lesssons as well. That can get you started.

Make sure that you can Pop Up before you get to Waikiki. You do the training on the floor where you live.
Get fit and do stretching Pilates style. Else you can very easily get some muscle damage first day out.

If there are lots of surfers in the area, a surf school wil give you protection againt being run over, or hitting somebody. Besides there will be insurance cover should something happen.

You should look into insurance cover your self. 3 rd party to cover if you damage other persons. Personal acciden to cover yourself. It you join a surf club or surf federation you can get this insutance cheap. I pay 100 USD a year.

After a year or so, try some private lessons. preferebly from someone that has done some sort of competision surfing. With a few hours he can tell what you do wrong and you will speed up learning.

I think surfing is a lot harder to learn than skiiing. You are strapped on to the skiis and the mountains does not moove.

If you do not surf 3 time a week, or even better 3 times a day, you may not get very far.

Anyway, Have fun
Torben

[jon.biarritz]

Group lessons are good for getting started.

Later on, small group or one-on-one coaching on an occasional basis can be pretty good to kick-start your surfing.

I do the occasional surf coaching session, like three days ago with some "students" who ripped and an observant pro. It's cool because you get serious, tough feedback on your surfing, including videos (boy, the truth hurts). Stuff that you won't see about your surfing on your own.

[scusurf]

I think you should take at least one lesson as a beginner or else it will take longer to get the basics down (unless you have friends that can teach you). Also, this forum and DVDs (I have 110% Surfing Techniques, which is very good) are really helpful as well. Other than that, you just need to get out there and give it a go.

[surferguy180]

can anyone give any more insights as to what is good to read for a beginner surfer? There are a few books on amazon, and a few online courses around the place, id imagine you would get more from videos, than just a book, who knows. Can anyone comment on what they have read/ watched / used?