1 – The Surfing Philosophy – Fun!
Chapter 1: When you learn to surf, it’s all about the FUN!
It’s challenging to learn to surf and can take years to master. When you take up surfing you should have realistic expectations. Many beginners get discouraged that they’re not carving backside 360’s on their first attempt. Without trying to sound too philosophical, surfing is all about the journey, whether you are just starting out or have been doing it for years.
It’s great to have a goal of being able to do advanced maneuvers, but set small goals along the way. I guarantee you, those “first times” will get you so stoked! From the first time you stand up, to the first time you steer the board even a little, to the first time you ride the green unbroken face…it’s truly an experience. Celebrate the small steps. You WILL learn to surf.
Before you begin, decide that you won’t get too frustrated. Surfing is supposed to be fun! It can be fun to just sit on your board and enjoy the beauty of the ocean without catching a single wave. If you’re not having fun, take a break. The last thing you want to do is get so upset that you vow never to return to the water again. Ask any surfer and they’ll tell you it is NOT an easy sport to learn. It can take a long time to develop the experience needed to do certain moves and read weather and wave patterns. Surfing generally favors those with a “try try again” attitude, so try to adopt this mentality. The only way to get better is to keep practicing!
The younger you are the easier it is to pick up any sport, and that includes surfing. Rest assured, however, people from all ages can successfully learn to surf! I started to learn to surf at age 18, and I was also afraid of the ocean. If I can do it, so can you! People also surf well into their 80’s, so don’t think that you’re “too old” to surf. Some of the best surfers in the water are the older folks.
Now that you’ve got the right mindset, let’s keep going!
dude thank you I like the philosophy part and the part reminding you that it should be fun. often it just feels like so much paddle and not that much surfing when you’re just starting, but each of those lil moments are what count when they add up to a lot of fun and successes
Hello,
I am 36 and I just started surfing. Oh, and I am female too. On my second lesson my fantastic instructor from San Clemente just sat in the water with me on our boards and appreciated the ocean and beauty. It made me so comfortable and at ease in the ocean. I am still a little scared because I had a bad experience and almost drowned years earlier but his patients and commitment made it all the better and I am indeed having fun. I think I’ll stick with surfing the rest of my life. I think a great instructor or friend to surf with and a positive attitude is paramount. Thanks for your beautiful words. Woushi
Yep, I had my first 2 lessons this week at the beginig of nov09 at the age of 37.
Had 2 different instructors at sennan cove Cornwall, both we excelleant And both taught me that journey is as much fun.
Managed to stand for 5 seconds first time after and hour and half of strong winds and 15 foot swells. Awesome feeling to stand. The second lessons actually stood for 8 seconds with similar conditions.
The brief joy of standing has me hooked.
Thank you for the info on the surf attitude. Im 17 and want to learn to surf (my dad surfed for 3 years but almost forgot since its been 10 years) and i live an hour and a half from the beach. So every time i get out there i get so frustrated when i cant stand up but now i know to appreciate even just the journey of learning to surf !
-Thanks!