Surfing
Learning to Surf?
So, I've been bodyboarding for the past 7 years or so, and I think i want to switch to surfing. The only problem is I don't have a longboard, all I have are 2 shortboards & I've heard that when people learn to surf they use a longboard. Would i be able to learn how to surf on a shortboard? Will it be extremely hard? What size surfboard should i ride (I'm about 5'7 or 5'8)
Public Comments
- well since you have been body boarding for the past 7 years you should have a general feel for the ocean and reading waves, knowing how to use your rails and HOPEFULLY DROP KNEE so were not really starting from scratch, theres plenty of people who transitioned from body boarding to surfing. You dont really need a long board (unless you want to long board instead of short board) I mean why would you want to buy one when you have 2 short boards already usually we tell beginners to learn on long boards because generally it would be the easiest for them to start on which is a nice big stable platform to learn the pop up, but any size board will do I never learned on a long board I learned on a board that was an inch smaller than me. It didnt take me long to pop up but got some pretty hard beating from it, but the main thing is I learned on what others wouldn't consider a practical learning board. So I suggest using what you have now instead of buying a long board which cost more, But if all else fails and you cant ride a short board if your life depended on it. Sell the 2 shortboards and get a longboard
- uh...riding and catching waves is fun..have fun when you ride and just stand up. its all about body position when surfing and where you are on the wave. Youll have some difficultie when starting but dont worry about it, just do it. HAVE FUN!!
- It will be slightly harder, but it will not be that hard. I would not worry about it. However, as far as size is concerned, I would get a thicker, wider board, with a round tip and tail.
- at your local surf shop they will probly let you rent a soft long board for a few hours see if you like it and if you feel a big change
- depending on what size your shortboards are you should be fine. the learning curve might be a little steeper if you opt to start out on a shortboard but it won't be impossible. it might just take a little longer before you're able to pop up, drop in, turn, etc. but then you won't have to worry about transitioning later which would be nice.
