If I were to start surfing...how would I go about it?

[Superfly]

I live in Virginia Beach, and this is the last year that I'm not going to give surfing a shot.

We live about 2 miles from the beach, so I'm not sure I want to take a lesson. I would like to just find some beach with crap waves where I can just learn by making mistakes.

So, how would one go about getting into this sport. The only piece of gear I have is a bathing suit, and even that needs replacing. What kinds of gear would I need (230 pound, 6'3") and buying new or used stuff won't be a problem.

Any other info would be great!

Brian

[Fenris]

1. Buy a board.

With your proportions, I'd say you'd do well on a longboard, which you can get used. Depending on what the water temperature of Virginia Beach is, you may or may not need a wetsuit. And Sex Wax. Always the Sex Wax.

See if you can't find a few periodicals on the subject.

[Superfly]

2. H20 gets up into the low 80's in the summer here...

love being so close to the Gulf Stream.

What sized longboard would you recommend?

[Whitacre D_WI]

6. Locking.

No Sex Wax threads.

[proud patriot]

3. Ask about lessons at Surf shop where you shop for the Board

Take lessons !

[Superfly]

5. My wife and I spend about 30-40 days a summer on the beach

so I'd kind of like to figure it out on my own. While she's sunning herself, I can screw around with the sandbar sharks.

[Whitacre D_WI]

4. Make sure you don't wear Bobby's tiki idol around your neck!

[Ricdude]

7. Paddle out...

...to where the waves appear to be breaking and turn towards shore. When a big wave comes near, paddle your butt off. At first just get up on your knees and try to stay on the board as it heads towards shore. Next get up on one knee and one foot crouching. Eventually work up to standing on both legs. If something gets in your way, turn. =) Oh, and get off the board before you run your fins into the sand, it's really bad for them.

I've only surfed a few days in my life, but I've ridden skateboards, rollerskates, inline skates, skis (snow and water), a fair amount, so I was able to apply all that ankle twisting and balancing skill to the surfboard in short order. You might also want to get a skateboard, to keep your ankles in shape. Turning on a skateboard and a surfboard is similar, although not quite the same. Eventually, you'll probably want bigger waves, too, but you'll have to leave the east coast for that...

As far as equipment, you'll need a board and some wax to get started. Ask the guy at the shop for a good medium length board. Short boards are easy to turn, but harder to balance on. Vice versa for Long boards. If you're surfing in cold waters, you'll want a wet suit. Ideally, you'll have someone to carry your board back to the car after a long day of paddling out and back (you're in for a major upper body workout here...).

Sorry I don't have much in the way of specifics. Good Luck.

[Superfly]

10. Sounds like a blast...

I can't wait until the water warms a little more. Sea Surface temps at the mouth of the Chesapeake are right around 57 degrees:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. three steps

1) Buy a board
2) Paddle out towards a wave
3) Fall of the board.

[OC_dem]

12. You left out

repeat 1,500 times or till you don't fall off.

[mouse7]

9. Step 1... Drive 3000 miles west...

As a person who spent many a summer day on the over-developed sands of Virginia Beach, I can tell you that you will NEVER learn to surf there. I was in a wave pool in Vegas that had better "surf."

Cape Hatteras during a Hurricane? Maybe. That's about it for East coast surfing availability, though.

West Coast waves are barely the minimum necessary.

[Superfly]

11. Serious? I just need a little 1-footer to get started, right?

[Don_G]

13. I Would Try Swimming First

I grew up around the Pacific Ocean and I wouldn't reccommend starting a new sport with rip-tides and unpredictable currents without having the ability to save yourself without the "media" being nearby.

[GOPisEvil]

14. Buy a computer...

...sign with a service provider...

Oh...OHHHHHH...I get it now. :dunce::think: