Possible dangers of me starting out...

[Throatpoker]

First of all, first post, already read the guide, know about the board size, etc. However, I'm worried that there could be some pretty big danger if I start out right away. I'm pretty overweight (5'9, 250+ lbs.), HORRIBLE cardio, and my swimming ability is at the most, basic. Do you think it's safe to just go balls out into the water, and develop my fitness and swimming endurance through surfing? Or what?... I'd suck if I had to spend a whole year getting physically ready just to consider beginning surfing. Thoughts?

[hiimbong]

uhm.. getting stuck in a rip and not being able to paddle back to shore.

i think that it's much better to improve your physical fitness first then go surf.
just do some jogging, swim at a local pool, do some pushups, situps, and some pullups(good for lats.)

[justloafing]

Get a nice big longboard and go paddle around when the surf is small. Believe it or not even with your size you can catch waves. That will be good for your cardio. Take it easy to start and for the days you can't surf, go out and walk a couple of miles. As far as your swimming ability. If you can do the crawl, tread water and float on your back you should be fine. If your just a doggy paddler stay out of the ocean and go take some swimming lessons.

[Surfing-Innovation]

Completely unfit, overweight and can't swim very well - sorry - am I missing something somewhere, because I'm thinking surfing might not be the best choice of pastime/sport for you .............

I applaud your wish to change your lifestyle, but do something safe ........

[RJD]

I think surfing s the ideal choice for you.

likely you wont get fit grinding away at a gym because you'd hate it.

Surfing will get you fit & slimmer. You'llstick at it and work at it because of the stoke.

I see quite a few people like you out here.

Just find a safe beach break, work the shore break where you can stand up , on a good sized longboard , untill your more confident. Alsomake sure theres other people out to help if you do get into trouble. Learn th break and its risks (rips) and lean what to do if you get caught in a rip.

[Throatpoker]

Thanks to all of you for the feedback. I've seen several surfers of my shape or even worse just flow like they were 1/3 their size. From that I assumed that the best way to get in shape is to try something out that I've always been wanting to try. The thing that really bothered me was that I've never had good endurance, and although I took swimming lessons when I was younger (I'm 21 BTW), I wouldn't be able to go very far if need be due to lack of training. However, the beach I'm planning to go to usually has small to medium size waves, and is also frequented by surfers (so I might get some pointers). Unfortunately, I have nobody to surf with, or that would back me up; I guess I gotta start going to those Reggae Roots concerts, lol. Anyway, I'm thinking of starting out this winter after classes are over (the weather here is tropical all year round), and after I've saved enough for the board.

[hiimbong]

yea, NEVER surf alone, especially since you're new.
paddle out and start talking to the other surfers, ask them when they surf. you don't have to go to reggae thingys.. i've acquired lots of friends just by being a babble mouth while waiting for a good wave.

just make sure you can swim.. that's priority. cause if you lose your board or break it. you want to make sure you can swim back to shore.

[Sar]

I agree with what most of the guys have already said - SAFETY FIRST! but its good exercise and fun

not thought of getting a first lesson? - you may be able to get a few friends to come along with you.

[Katza8uk]

Def agree with what the others say, make sure you can swim. I'm definatly not the healthiest of people but i love surfing (i say surfing, its more falling off). Plus once you'e trekked over some sand dunes all the way down to the water, been in the water for a few hours and trekked all the way back to the car a few days a week you will begin to feel fitter!

hope that helps!

[Real Pol]

Completely agree with RJD on this one.

Completely disagree with Hiimbong.

Best way to get fit for surfing IS surfing! If you can do it regularly there is no need to do any other training specifically for surfing.

Also this never surf alone crap that people go on about!!! Just get out there and enjoy yourself! Safety first if we listened to that we'd never go into the water in the first place.

[RJD]

1st time I went just getting a wettie on almost killed me.

Then I lived half a mile from the beach on flat so I walked with a 9'2" longboard. Lot of excercise before I even saw a wave. Live 800m up a hill now so no way am I walking thesedays.

[Sar]

Safety first if we listened to that we'd never go into the water in the first place.

you completely disregard your saftey when you go surfing?

[Phil]

Completely unfit, overweight and can't swim very well - sorry - am I missing something somewhere, because I'm thinking surfing might not be the best choice of pastime/sport for you .............

I applaud your wish to change your lifestyle, but do something safe ........

[Phil]

i was pretty unfit when i got into surfing, now my fitness is pretty high, i can easy stay in for 3-4 hours at a time, i think surfing is one of the best forms of cardio you can get, plus will be great for burning off excess fat, so i say go for it

[ocean]

Have you thought about getting some lessons that way you'll know if surfing is for you before you go out and buy a board.Lessons will teach you the basics and you might meet other people you can surf with.

I started surfing because a mate wanted to try it so i tagged along with him.The end result was that he didn't enjoy it but i was hooked from the minute i got in the water.Only problem now is i've got nobody to surf with as he has no intention of ever doing it again!

[justloafing]

Have you thought about getting some lessons that way you'll .Only problem now is i've got nobody to surf with as he has no intention of ever doing it again!

Come on over to this side of the pond and I'll surf with ya.

[ocean]

Have you thought about getting some lessons that way you'll .Only problem now is i've got nobody to surf with as he has no intention of ever doing it again!

Come on over to this side of the pond and I'll surf with ya.

Ha ha i might take you up on that offer! ( I wish)

[godsgr4ce]

Hmmm.. one of the ways I improved my swimming, surfing, and overall fitness was to take my longboard out on very small days without a leash (I know, I know, I shouldn't have a leash as it is, but I'm still a noob). It forced me to try and not jump off my board when I was done with a wave or to swim and retrieve it as punishment if I did!

To get better at swimming - go do laps in a pool. I've noticed that most people can swim, they are just very unfit and can't last very long. After you get better at swimming in a pool, try swimming in the ocean on flat days. Stay near the shore at a gentle break, and watch out for rips.

Surfing will definitely get you in shape, but you have to be willing to work. The beginning will be hard.. when I first started, I was working back muscles I didn't even know I could work.

[drowningbitbybit]

(I know, I know, I shouldn't have a leash as it is, but I'm still a noob).

Um, you've been listening to the wrong people
Leashes are there for a reason - your safety (and convenience) but more importantly everyone else around you's safety.
Leashes arent just for beginners, everyone should be wearing a leash. Anything else is just macho bullsh*t.

[godsgr4ce]

(I know, I know, I shouldn't have a leash as it is, but I'm still a noob).

Um, you've been listening to the wrong people
Leashes are there for a reason - your safety (and convenience) but more importantly everyone else around you's safety.
Leashes arent just for beginners, everyone should be wearing a leash. Anything else is just macho bullsh*t.

Actually, I understand what you are saying, but considering the waves that most of the LBers in SoCal are riding, leashes aren't really necessary if you're competent enough at riding your board and controlling it. (I would hope that in bigger, steeper waves, one would be competent enough to even be riding any board in that type of wave.) I do agree that it's dangerous when a huge LB is roaring at your face, but I think, for myself (and some others), leashes become a crutch to not properly learn how to end your wave ride, or even hold onto your board when facing a breaking wave. Most of the times when I see boards flying, it's because people have bailed out of their boards when they see a wave coming (instead of turtle rolling or duck diving), or even just due to bad surfing etiquette (dropping in, running into people, etc.).

Not to mention that I think people use leashes as an excuse to not know how to swim when surfing.