Surfing

[spokewench]

One of my best friends turned 50 years old this year and she has always wanted to learn to surf. Of course, that is one thing I've never done before. I'm the one who doesn't like water too much because of a bad experience in my early years. This friend happens to be one of my teammates for 24 hour races (that we used to do together), so it's all or nothing!

But, here we go, we are going to a clinic in August in La Jolla to learn to surf. Who would ever have thought it!

Anyone have any advice for a newbie surfer that is a little worried about water?

[chickwhorips]

don't be scared. not sure what happened to you before, but remember if all else fails you can get on top of the board out of the water and slowly paddle back in if your uncomfortable. though there is nothing to worry about. you won't be off shore that far and there will be a bunch of other people around you.

as far as body goes to help out, having good core strength to get up on the board and keep your balance, upper body strength to paddle out there will really help.

once you get out there and catch your first wave, there is nothing like it. the feel is amazing.

the lessons will be good. sometimes i wish i had them. all my instruction was is this:
-paddle out
-when i tell you to paddle hard, you paddle hard and then stand up.

there gave you your first lesson.

[spokewench]

Thanks for the support and the First Lesson!

It should be a great adventure

[spokewench]

Well, Lois and I made it back from a week's worth of surfing camp in La Jolla - Surf Diva School. It was great and yes, I got up and rode the waves! It was pretty exciting. The waves most days were not very big so I was not very scared. One day they were pretty big and really steep so I had a couple of spectacular crashes which scared me a little, but I kept going at it!

I'm glad I faced my fears cause I had a good time in the water! (Very unusual for me) I sprained my hand and have a great big bruise on the back of my knee but other than that, I am hale and hearty and riding my bike again!

Ahh, I still like riding my bike better!

[chickwhorips]

i am so happy to hear you went out and tried it! good for you!!!

think you'll try it again?

[spokewench]

Maybe. Since I live in Arizona, it is really something I have to plan to do, but the next time my hubby wants to go on a cruise and there is surfin, maybe I'll try it again.

[Trek420]

spokewench "Anyone have any advice for a newbie surfer that is a little worried about water?"

Have you checked with Queen? She works at a dive shop last I heard.

[tangentgirl]

Reviving this thread, 'cause...

I'm gonna be a surfer! Lalalalalaaaaalalaa.....

My boy got me a wetsuit and lessons for my bday. I picked up my wetsuit and can't wait to start. I'm going to get out in the water this weekend, even if I just boogie board.

It's been a while since this thread was up. Does anyone else here surf? I can't wait to spend my summer biking and surfing and making jewelry (and oh yeah working)!

[Pax]

I surf whenever I'm in FL visiting my folks, I utterly suck at it but just LOVE it.

[chickwhorips]

right on tangentgirl!!! have fun!

[Pika]

girls that can surf!
I took my first surf lessons 2 years ago on the west coast of vancouver island- ( read "cold water surfing").
I still LOVED it- unfortunately we are 6 hrs + ferry ride + more hours to closest surfing spot.
but... that doesn't stop the secret training.
I took a 6ft long piece of MDF and fashioned it into a surfboard ( painted with groovy 60 flowers and all) then I put it on my bosu. I thought then I could practice my "pop-ups". Works great-... when I remember to practice that is- anyone else for a 26hr day to fit in all the leisure activiites...hmm how ccould I swing that....

[RedCanny]

Spokewrench- I know this surfing post of yours was awhile ago, but thanks for mentioning the Jolla Surf Diva School. I'm looking into a vacation later this year in which I can try surfing, and I may check out that school. Sounds like fun!

[spokewench]

Hi Ladies!

As I hate being taught anything by my husband cause he is my husband and treats me differently than he would a friend, I would recommend taking lessons for surfing from someone other than your SO or Hubby. And, I would recommend taking some classes, it really makes it a lot easier! I have heard these stories from Men that I know that say surfing is so hard and they are very impressed that I got up and was surfing in the first week.

IT is hard, but I really don't think it is that difficult if I can do it in a couple of days with my fears of water - so go take some lessons and do some pushups before you go. It really helps to have some upper arm push up strength and some good core (abdomen strength)! Oh, and if you can practice on a long skateboard that will help too, but put lots of pads on! (I did not do this, but one gal did and she was a natural on the surfboard.)

I really recommend the Surf Diva school at La Jolla. It was a great experience and they had all ladies classes! Go Longboarding! Wish I could join you, it would be fun to do again!

spoke

[spokewench]

I'm on the right and she's on the left.

To all the Wahines of the World!

[spokewench]

Woops, attached the wrong picture.

That was my holding the board on the beach and this is Lois and me surfin!