surfing alone? (as a beginner) when?

[surfjj2000]

hey everybody,

I have a few questions.

1 what is cross off wind?

2 can a beginner surf alone in sea, but with someone on the shore line watching him/her?

point is I really want to surf I'm 17 y/o but none of my friends surf and the only family member that surfs lives 42 miles of shore.
but my dad wants to stand on the shore line to watch me.
I won't surf when it's big, so probably around 2-3,4ft.

so the main question is, is it also safe if someone (my dad) is watching me surf from the beach since I don't have a surfing buddie, in case something happens?
or do I really need someone in the water with me?
and if so what kind of sollution do you guys know?

kind regards
jj

[oldmansurfer]

I am not sure what a cross off wind is but a cross shore wind is a wind that is blowing sideways in relation to the waves. An off shore wind is one that blows into the face of the waves so maybe it is one that blows sideways into the face however I have never heard the term "Cross off wind" before. I surf alone and have done this from the time I first decided I wanted to learn to surf. However prior to surfing I was very good at bodysurfing and also bodyboarding and a very good swimmer and very familiar with the ocean where I lived. I also didn't care if I died doing it. Staying alive wasn't too important to me. I needed some adrenalin, some excitement and if I died I was willing to accept that. Now I am 62 years old and I still surf alone......haven't died yet but there is a risk and I am willing to accept that. In Netherlands you also need to be concerned about hypothermia. I don't surf cold water so don't know about that risk. Having some one watch you doesn't reduce the risk unless they are willing and capable of rescuing you

[surfjj2000]

thanks for the reply.


what do you advice?

[oldmansurfer]

I am not familiar with the Netherlands. Are there beaches nearby with lifeguards? Are there beaches nearby with other surfers? Are there strong tidal currents where you wish to surf (is it a bay?) I am not familiar with you too. Are you a good swimmer? Can you swim a mile easy? Can you recognize a current and know what to do if you are caught in one? Do you have a good sense of balance and manage to avoid hitting the bottom when you surf? Ideally you would surf with a friend however surfing where there are other beginners surfing is another option. Maybe you can make a friend

[surfjj2000]

yes there are a lot of surfers, on a good day 50-100 and half of that beginners of foamies

this is the location.
https://www.google.nl/maps/place/Scheve ... d4.3021834
if you click on earth you will see a bay in the middle. There are surfers on both sides of the bay, and yes there is a strong current going left. if you get in that current you need to paddle straight to the right since the bay is pretty deep. yes I do know how to recognize a current, even tho it seems pretty hard at some points. the thing is, th surf here is most of the time only good in the winter, that's also when I learned surfing/surfed with my brother. the water temp is than most of the time 10 degrees, so you surf for one hour and than go out. or sooner if you get a cold.

there are no (dangerous) sharks. jellyfish are only in the summer time.
I don't quit understand the bottom part tho, I mean if you get pounded isn't it import to jump to the sea side to avoid the board hitting you and the swell 'swoaloing'you? and how do you avoid pounding to the bottem if I may ask? I would be glad to hear some advice from a good and adnvanced surfer such as u

there are lifeguards, but not on look out. they are called the KNRM "koninklijke nederlandse redingsmaatscheppij"or "royal dutch savety company" they have a boat that they send out when you call a emergency number. they are also straight next to the surfspot in the bay.

here are the urls to a few pictures of them
http://www.rbossink.nl/images/6610.jpg

these are also normal conditions

https://www.surfertoday.com/images/stor ... ningen.jpg


http://www.hsa.nl/wp-content/uploads/20 ... -35-16.jpg
and here when it's big
https://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/N ... _-arno.jpg

http://www.surf-forecast.com/system/ima ... 1422350570

http://im-3.msw.ms/photoLab/fullWidth/249206.jpg

this is a video of 6ft days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-18Zoq5uf8

and this of normal days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j77udH5LbPA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpAKTq4rKKE
http://www.mennovanderbijl.com/wp-conte ... low-10.jpg

crowded I know but most of the days it's less

I don't swim a lot but I do try to swim as much as possible (1 time a week). even tho it's pretty hard with studying and stuff

there are alwys other surfers in the line-up

[surfjj2000]

So what do you think of the situation? Mr...(what is your name if I may ask?)

Where you always out alone in your surf spot? Or are were there also others?

Kind regards
Jj

[oldmansurfer]

Generally speaking you don't paddle against a current unless it is very mild compared to your abilities so usually you go sideways to the current. I know there can be really bad currents related to tides in bays. Anyway so by surfing alone you mean there will be lots of surfers but no one you know? That should be fixed soon by surfing a few times and getting to know others who surf the same spot as you. It sounds like having your dad go a few times would be good then you can probably do it yourself after that. I grew up on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.

I learned to keep track of the bottom when I bodysurfed and to arrange myself to roll or land in a protected manner as the bottom approached. Surfing I usually try to land on my back or do a shoulder roll. It is perhaps just as difficult to learn how to wipeout as it is to learn to surf. I do some underwater gymnastics rearranging myself for the bottom if I am being pulled in that direction

[oldmansurfer]

Originally I went out with others body surfing or body boarding. Eventually that switched to alone although for a while body boarding I had a regular partner and went with him as often as by myself. Where I grew up I knew everyone so even when I was body boarding by myself most of the surfers in that area knew me and in fact invited me to go out and share waves with them. When I started surfing I went to an area where there were no other surfers because I knew I would bother them. After I had been at it for a couple months friend of mine who were surfers and knew I was learning started inviting me to go surf with them but I still went some of the time by myself. I would never have surfed as much as I wanted to if I waited for someone to go with me. I enjoy company of other surfers but too busy these days so I look for surfer free areas to go.

[surfjj2000]

O oke.

I don't know what to do, more surf lessons cost money, more than renting a board. I'll try brother once more, but he has a stressfull job.

Kind regards
Jj

[surfjj2000]

Or I'll only go out with very weak days, but first I will need to get my swim condition up.

Thanks oldman Proner

Kind regards
Jj

[waikikikichan]

1 what is cross off wind?

2 can a beginner surf alone in sea, but with someone on the shore line watching him/her?

point is I really want to surf I'm 17 y/o but none of my friends surf and the only family member that surfs lives 42 miles of shore.
but my dad wants to stand on the shore line to watch me.
I won't surf when it's big, so probably around 2-3,4ft.

1) Cross off wind is in-between Off shore and Cross winds. So say if direct off shore winds was 12 o'clock and cross was 3 o'clock ( or 9 ), then cross off would be varying 1-2 o'clock ( or 11-10 ). So there is also the opposite direction too which is Cross On shore winds. It just helps the reader notice the switching off the winds when you look at a forecast.
2) So when you do get in "trouble", what is your Dad going to do ? Jump into the water and swim out to you without a wetsuit in 10 degree water ? Can he track where you are with 50 other surfing all in black ?

[surfjj2000]

No but after I got better I'll also surf in the winter since that is the only time my broter surfs


Kind regarss
Jj

[surfjj2000]

And most of the time it's 20-30 surfers. I personally like bright coloured wetsuit so it wouldn't be hard to spot me from a mile )) there is also long range so the surfers all padle back at one point when they catched a wave


Kind regards
Jj

[Oldie]

My and my daughter are still beginners after two years of surfing and we surf in Scheveningen several times a year as it is the closest beach to home (which is 250km east of Scheveningen...).

I think you should be ok. Waves are mostly weak wind swells, so almost never have days on which you are really held under water. The most dangerous place actually is the shore break where your father will be close by. So Get over that quickly and keep a good distance to the rocks at the harbour entry. waves are best there, but also the best surfers and the locals.

The sideways current is strong. Dont fight it but get to the shore if you are drifting too much out of position.

Get a lesson at Aloha or Heart Beach. They do not cost a fortune and are well worth it.

I planned to go there next week but it will be Sylt instead.

Have you surfed there at all? Winter water temperatures are more at 5 deg and around 10 now.. It is cold.

[Big H]

At 17, my Dad wasn't involved in any of my activities (he'd been cut out at age 14 by my design)....I can't imagine that you'd want your Dad patrolling over you; besides, unless he is a lifeguard with a rescue paddle board he would be able to do little for you in an accident/crisis other than identify where he last saw you go under.

So long as there are others around you go for it; open up and make friends....won't be long before you're known and you'll be a part (and watched after) part of the local lineup.

[oldmansurfer]

Originally I thought you meant alone like I do with no one else out. But what you mean is no one that you know. In areas like Hawaii surfers are often like the first responders for rescue situations so if there are a lot of surfers out someone will help you if you get into trouble. This may not be true in Netherlands but once you get to know some others then they will likely help you out if you get into trouble

[surfjj2000]

Yes Have surfed before, rented two times and took lessons at hartbeach 5x (I still have to right on 2 lessons) I can stand a litlle.

The surf community in Scheeningen is pretty fun. On my 1st surf lesson I was already talking with another beginner who also surfs there.

My dad won't jump in the water but he can call with a lifeguard (wich have a boat and are right in the bay, port next to the surf spot).

[Millsy82]

I had a few lessons and then I had to go out by myself as I don't know anyone who surfs. I always went to a life guarded beach so felt relatively safe.

The one thing I will say is try to find a local club, it was the best thing I did. I pay £10 a time and having coaches there to fire questions at and give you pointers through out the session has been brilliant but the best thing by far has been the fact I have that little more confidence when they are around and I can push my self that little bit harder for longer. I've managed to get out the back on a 6ft+ day if I was by myself I would bottle it. This has meant that I have rapidly gained confidence and can go out in slightly bigger surf now without bottling it.

[surfjj2000]

Yes there are some surf schools on my location and 1 has a club, but since it's a junior club so age is 12-16 y/o I can't 'sign-up' for it anymore since I'm 17 y/o, so I'm considering surfing in small conditions and take some private lessons once in a while to learn more.

[RobSF]

I'm only commenting in order to shirk my day job for a few minutes. You've gotten more than enough advice already. (Shirking is a time-honored surfer tradition, though. "Surfing" is pretty much just another word for shirking.)

I'll just agree with others that with 30 or 40 other surfers out there, you're not alone. And that the current and the cold are the two things you want to have a healthy respect for. Has anyone else suggested you take a look at some youtube videos on how to get out of a rip current? Maybe do that.

You'll definitely get banged up while you're learning, by the way. This is what surfers call "fun." Coming in with a bruise or a little blood is "having had a lot of fun." You'll get the hang of the jargon soon enough.