Games & Recreation Learning to surf

[mcuzzy]

I'm a great swimmer, terrified of deep water (not knowing what is beneath me makes me panic) and i have a fear of sharks. no amount of shark attack statistics can make me feel comfortable about going in the water.

i've always wanted to surf though, it just looks like a rush and a total escape.

i'm not too far from a couple of surf beaches, one of them is Pt. Leo.

Would I have to buy a big longboard or can I hire them anywhere? also where is the best place to learn? any tips? how far out do you paddle to? (how deep is the water?)

thanks guys

 

[courtjester]

I'm a great swimmer, terrified of deep water (not knowing what is beneath me makes me panic) and i have a fear of sharks. no amount of shark attack statistics can make me feel comfortable about going in the water.

i've always wanted to surf though, it just looks like a rush and a total escape.

i'm not too far from a couple of surf beaches, one of them is Pt. Leo.

Would I have to buy a big longboard or can I hire them anywhere? also where is the best place to learn? any tips? how far out do you paddle to? (how deep is the water?)

thanks guys

Get on to a surf school. Worth the investment.

 

[.Shotties.]

Get a big board and learn to get your feet in the wash first. When I started I was 13 and full of teenage pride I thought I was a bit too good to much around close to shore. Took me ages to learn and longer to fix my horrid stance.

 

[mcuzzy]

Get a big board and learn to get your feet in the wash first. When I started I was 13 and full of teenage pride I thought I was a bit too good to much around close to shore. Took me ages to learn and longer to fix my horrid stance.

that's the plan, cant even begin to imagine going out deep with one of the small pointy boards, wouldn't even be able to stand up

 

[JuddsABlue]

your terror of the ocean makes me think surfing isnt for you

 

[.Shotties.]

I was terrified of sharks when I started. Didnt help that I surfed a fair bit near Shark Island. Bring out in the water so much helped, I guess.

 

[mcuzzy]

your terror of the ocean makes me think surfing isnt for you

i'll have to get used to it, i want to learn to surf pretty badly

 

[Dan Moody]

I learnt to surf at Gunnamatta. Odd choice but I didn't know it at the time and having mates that were 3-4 years older than me who were gun surfers meant I had to go where they went.
There is nothing and I mean nothing like the rush you get when you are first able to stand up, ride a wave and turn your board.
I haven't surfed for a few years now, family, work and kids have taken up my time but I love getting down the Peninsula and watching those half my age do what I used to do for at least 48 weeks of the year for about 6 years straight.
I have a 7'2" Island board that I'll never get rid of and hopefully one of my kids will use one day.
My advice on how to learn to surf, get a lesson or 2 then head to Phillip Island and somewhere like Smiths Beach or YC where there are small fun waves to learn on.

 

[Puntroad]

Learn to surf school would be the best place to start if you don't have any friends that can teach you. Plus they also have the big foam boards that fast track the initial stages of standing up in white wash, you would move on from those very fast because they are a nightmare to ride on any wave that has a face. Meaning you don't have to pay for the foam board, allowing you to spend money on a +6'0 fiberglass board that will be of use for much longer.