I cannot swim, but I really want to learn how to surf

[abcde2]

Hello,

I cannot swim (I think its because of the fear, but I was able to swim as a kid). I would like to learn surfing. How long would it take me to learn how to surf? I am planning to learn swimming till June. Would I be able to learn how to surf within 2 weeks? If yes, what would be the best place where I could learn?

Thank you in advance

[surf patrol]

Hi abcde2, welcome to Surfing Waves!

Please learn to swim to a decent standard before you go surfing, it's dangerous to surf if you are not a competent swimmer.

Would I be able to learn how to surf within 2 weeks

Not to a decent standard, but you can certainly have and enjoyable two weeks playing and having fun! Two weeks is not really long enough to progress very far, you'd still be a beginner.

what would be the best place where I could learn?

Anywhere where there are good beginner waves. Small, powerless, a beach break. Somewhere that offers surfing lessons if you want to go down that route.
Where are you from, what area are you looking at to learn to surf?

[drowningbitbybit]

Note: This response has been self-moderated and will not involve the use of bangy-head man because otherwise SP will shout at me for scaring off the newbies.

I cannot swim

Then absolutely, absolutely, do not go near the ocean until you can.

Would I be able to learn how to surf within 2 weeks?

No.

[jaffa1949]

Your request makes me really curious, why such a rush to learn surfing in 2 weeks.
Just the time restrictions you have placed on yourself makes it very hard!
You mentioned going somewhere where the waves will help, good, how about taking some surfing lessons at a surf school, because there if you are just after "the surfing experience" you've got some chance of getting it.
Also you will be protected during your unskilled stage
There is another option, get your swimming up to a good level that would give confidence and safety.
Then get a boogie board, then go have fun you can then surf at beach where there are patrolled areas and lifeguards.
GOOD LUCK
SURFING IS NOT EASY NEVER WAS NEVER WILL BE! I shout that because all the learners need to know!

[tonylamont]

SURFING IS NOT EASY NEVER WAS NEVER WILL BE!

As noted, surfing is not something that you will learn on vacation or in a few weeks. Doesn't matter if you're a skateboarder, snowboarder, etc. etc. Surfing involves a unique and difficult set of skills and requires significant time and commitment to develop even a basic ability to properly catch and ride waves. It involves hundreds or even thousands of hours of trial and error as you struggle to develop a unique type of fitness necessary to cope with big waves, learn techniques that are not intuitive, work your way through layer upon layer of mistakes (each time new and different!) and all the while deal with changing (and challenging) natural conditions. Unless you are independently wealthy and/or have many months to go on a sabbatical somewhere, you will need to live close enough to the ocean that you can surf regularly for an extended period of time.

That's the bad news. The good news is that if you catch the bug, all the adversity will seem insignificant when compared with the thrill of learning how to surf.

PS. As noted above, you absolutely need to learn to swim before trying to surf. Don't even think about surfing until you can cope in rough water deeper than your head.

[billie_morini]

@ abcde2,
every time i read your subject, I shudder no matter whether this is a joke or serious. No one should do anything on the water without the ability to swim. When it comes to something like surfing, where there are currents and forces are strong, you should have a sense for water, as well as, the ability to swim. Learn to swim. Then boogie board for a year. Then learn to surf. You may not like learning to crawl before you can walk, but this is a serious matter.
billie