Comments on: Overcoming Fear Of The Ocean http://www.surfinghandbook.com Surfing Information And Resources Sat, 03 Mar 2012 22:34:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Used Surfboards http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-66339 Used Surfboards Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:21:05 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-66339 I have been in the same place off and on. It began as excitement fear after surfing well in most waves on a long board in anywhere from 2-4 foot. Then, on a fun board I got into a day of 6-7 ft and a long hold down and more turbulent roles. Shook me and I remember the 3-4s were now hesitant. I thought it was strength so I trained more and got pushed in all of the time even if turtling the 7'6". Thinking it was the board I went even smaller to a 6'3". Not sure it helped any since it was very think and the same problem persisted. Now on a much shorter board I can get through anything but steep drops are a huge deal. Moved to a new break. Much faster than I am used to. Must steeper. Even on the 5'3" the nose always looks too deep. I fear I won't make it and shy out in dangerous ways dragging legs, etc. Now I am working it out. My focus is making the drop even if I'm crouched down. I moved so fast from long to short that my pop is wrong. Gotta grab the board further back and not at shoulders like the longboard. My thoughts should be getting to feet not, "look how steep and shallow it is down there". Stop going for the point and try some shoulders where it is less steep too might help. We'll see. I've been doing this for too long to lose forward momentum now. I have been in the same place off and on. It began as excitement fear after surfing well in most waves on a long board in anywhere from 2-4 foot. Then, on a fun board I got into a day of 6-7 ft and a long hold down and more turbulent roles. Shook me and I remember the 3-4s were now hesitant. I thought it was strength so I trained more and got pushed in all of the time even if turtling the 7’6″. Thinking it was the board I went even smaller to a 6’3″. Not sure it helped any since it was very think and the same problem persisted. Now on a much shorter board I can get through anything but steep drops are a huge deal. Moved to a new break. Much faster than I am used to. Must steeper. Even on the 5’3″ the nose always looks too deep. I fear I won’t make it and shy out in dangerous ways dragging legs, etc. Now I am working it out. My focus is making the drop even if I’m crouched down. I moved so fast from long to short that my pop is wrong. Gotta grab the board further back and not at shoulders like the longboard. My thoughts should be getting to feet not, “look how steep and shallow it is down there”. Stop going for the point and try some shoulders where it is less steep too might help. We’ll see. I’ve been doing this for too long to lose forward momentum now.

]]> By: Whitney http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-65862 Whitney Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:26:46 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-65862 This article is EXACTLY what I needed to read today. I've been feeling so badly after my Saturday surf session. I've been surfing every weekend as much as possible since I got back from a trip to Costa Rica with my surfer husband last November...we live in San Diego, so as soon as I got home, I bought a wetsuit and booties and am now determined to GET OUT THERE! I feel like I've gotten so much better...I can stand up no problem, manuever my board, have a blast out there...but something is keeping me from paddling to the outside and I thought it was just me. It's so frustrating and disappointing when you WANT to do something so bad and your fear factor sets in and prohibits you from doing what you want...ugh! Now after reading this article, it seems that I just need to be more patient and push myself a little bit each time...great advice. Amazing comments, too! Thanks everyone! Now I can't wait to go back out!!! This article is EXACTLY what I needed to read today. I’ve been feeling so badly after my Saturday surf session. I’ve been surfing every weekend as much as possible since I got back from a trip to Costa Rica with my surfer husband last November…we live in San Diego, so as soon as I got home, I bought a wetsuit and booties and am now determined to GET OUT THERE! I feel like I’ve gotten so much better…I can stand up no problem, manuever my board, have a blast out there…but something is keeping me from paddling to the outside and I thought it was just me. It’s so frustrating and disappointing when you WANT to do something so bad and your fear factor sets in and prohibits you from doing what you want…ugh! Now after reading this article, it seems that I just need to be more patient and push myself a little bit each time…great advice. Amazing comments, too! Thanks everyone! Now I can’t wait to go back out!!!

]]> By: Jennn http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-63297 Jennn Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:19:49 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-63297 This article has helpe me loads .. Thanks so much!! I only recently started surfing and in Wales in winter its freezing and the waves suck! And learning in those conditions scared me a bit .. But everything you said has made me feel a little bit better and hopefully when its warmer il take your advice and hopefully the fear will dissapear! Thanks again, it really has helped (: This article has helpe me loads .. Thanks so much!! I only recently started surfing and in Wales in winter its freezing and the waves suck! And learning in those conditions scared me a bit .. But everything you said has made me feel a little bit better and hopefully when its warmer il take your advice and hopefully the fear will dissapear! Thanks again, it really has helped (:

]]> By: bob http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-63215 bob Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:39:06 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-63215 i loves this article. last year i stated bodyboard with my friends at the beach ,and i didnt known that waves can get really big , but when i padded out at the beach the waves where huge(5 to 6ft) and i heart was pounding really fast and my gut was saying go back but i just keapt going out the waves ,when i was floating in the water to catch a wave my friend said 'hey catch this huge one with me 'i didnt want to but i did it anyway and when i went down on the wave my board was out of control and slipped out of my hands i got dumped really bad and i didnt go back in the water for about 4 months but i stated to go out and just chatch the little ones (1 to 2ft)then stated to get more confortable with the waves /beach and stated catching bigger waves (3 to 4 ft ) and stated to have lots fun wih my friends at the beach and lot worrying about how big the waves are going to be :) i loves this article.

last year i stated bodyboard with my friends at the beach ,and i didnt known that waves can get really big , but when i padded out at the beach the waves where huge(5 to 6ft) and i heart was pounding really fast and my gut was saying go back but i just keapt going out the waves ,when i was floating in the water to catch a wave my friend said ‘hey catch this huge one with me ‘i didnt want to but i did it anyway and when i went down on the wave my board was out of control and slipped out of my hands i got dumped really bad and i didnt go back in the water for about 4 months but i stated to go out and just chatch the little ones (1 to 2ft)then stated to get more confortable with the waves /beach and stated catching bigger waves (3 to 4 ft ) and stated to have lots fun wih my friends at the beach and lot worrying about how big the waves are going to be :)

]]> By: canuckchick http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-61888 canuckchick Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:53:57 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-61888 I have never surfed but always dreamed of it since I was a kid. I satisfied my urge by street skating and later snowboarding a few times. I'm an average swimmer took lessons when I was younger but I too have this fear of the ocean. I am scared by many aspects of it such as all the freaky creatures may they be harmless, or sting or take a chomp off your body (!!). I have been in the ocean/sea a handful of times ( Boston, Holland, Melbourne, Gold Coast) but always near the shore as far as the 2nd small break once near surfers paradise AU. Each time I can't seem to relax and stop scanning the water for jellyfish or other unthinkable things. I've come across a few bears on mtn bike trails and got a rush of fear but at least they are furry and and got four legs and I am on solid ground...so that covers that! I'm also fearful of the power of it. The rip dragging you in, the waves pounding you down and potentially into a reef or rock. So now I went and booked a trip to Oahu, and I am determined to overcome my fear somewhat and get lessons. I certainly can't go in on my own, in fact I'd feel better if the instructor was right next to me. Fear sucks! I can't wait to see the beauty of Hawaii though; it's minus 20 here :) I have never surfed but always dreamed of it since I was a kid. I satisfied my urge by street skating and later snowboarding a few times. I’m an average swimmer took lessons when I was younger but I too have this fear of the ocean. I am scared by many aspects of it such as all the freaky creatures may they be harmless, or sting or take a chomp off your body (!!). I have been in the ocean/sea a handful of times ( Boston, Holland, Melbourne, Gold Coast) but always near the shore as far as the 2nd small break once near surfers paradise AU. Each time I can’t seem to relax and stop scanning the water for jellyfish or other unthinkable things. I’ve come across a few bears on mtn bike trails and got a rush of fear but at least they are furry and and got four legs and I am on solid ground…so that covers that!
I’m also fearful of the power of it. The rip dragging you in, the waves pounding you down and potentially into a reef or rock.
So now I went and booked a trip to Oahu, and I am determined to overcome my fear somewhat and get lessons.
I certainly can’t go in on my own, in fact I’d feel better if the instructor was right next to me.

Fear sucks!

I can’t wait to see the beauty of Hawaii though; it’s minus 20 here :)

]]> By: Holly http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-57999 Holly Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:00:42 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-57999 Great article! I am still so scared of the ocean. I took swimming lessons at my local Y and that was just useless. I learn very gradually and slowly and so I'm wondering if surfing is even for me. I now can just do the freestyle. I don't know how to do any other stroke and I can float. I'm considering learning treading in the water because it might be beneficial to learn. I really love the sport of surfing and I really want to learn. It's just that open water swimming frightens me. I have swam in the ocean but only in neck deep water and I made sure that I didn't go out where I couldn't touch the sea floor. Aren't waves caught out in the deep ocean? Also, sharks freak me out and well as the riptides, currents, and abyssal ocean itself! I'm pretty much doomed right? Great article!

I am still so scared of the ocean. I took swimming lessons at my local Y and that was just useless. I learn very gradually and slowly and so I’m wondering if surfing is even for me. I now can just do the freestyle. I don’t know how to do any other stroke and I can float. I’m considering learning treading in the water because it might be beneficial to learn.

I really love the sport of surfing and I really want to learn. It’s just that open water swimming frightens me. I have swam in the ocean but only in neck deep water and I made sure that I didn’t go out where I couldn’t touch the sea floor. Aren’t waves caught out in the deep ocean? Also, sharks freak me out and well as the riptides, currents, and abyssal ocean itself! I’m pretty much doomed right?

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-33612 Stephanie Mon, 08 Aug 2011 01:48:56 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-33612 Thanks for the article, it is very encouraging, as are many of the comments. I live in Nicaragua- a surfer's dream, right? I've wanted to surf all my life and am blessed to be with a wonderful man who, apart from having surfed for thirty+ years, is a patient and understanding coach. My journey toward becoming a surfer is slow- it seems I take two steps forward and one step back. I am working so hard to try to overcome my fear of the waves. Once I am outside, I feel calm and have a great time. My problem is paddling out. I begin to panic if I have to go under a few waves in a row. If a big set is coming in, I usually freak out and paddle back in. My boyfriend's advice has been very good: First of all, he put me on a boogie board which has helped me actually learn to catch waves and turn into them. Also, wearing fins helps me swim more quickly. In order to avoid panicking when I go under waves, he taught me to start counting as soon as I go under and I'll find that I'm never under for more than 5 seconds. It really helps! His best advice to me came on my first day out: He said, "If you do get tossed by a wave ALWAYS COME UP SMILING!" I'm still at the point where surfing more scary than it is fun, but I am determined! Good luck to everyone! :) Thanks for the article, it is very encouraging, as are many of the comments. I live in Nicaragua- a surfer’s dream, right? I’ve wanted to surf all my life and am blessed to be with a wonderful man who, apart from having surfed for thirty+ years, is a patient and understanding coach. My journey toward becoming a surfer is slow- it seems I take two steps forward and one step back. I am working so hard to try to overcome my fear of the waves. Once I am outside, I feel calm and have a great time. My problem is paddling out. I begin to panic if I have to go under a few waves in a row. If a big set is coming in, I usually freak out and paddle back in.

My boyfriend’s advice has been very good: First of all, he put me on a boogie board which has helped me actually learn to catch waves and turn into them. Also, wearing fins helps me swim more quickly. In order to avoid panicking when I go under waves, he taught me to start counting as soon as I go under and I’ll find that I’m never under for more than 5 seconds. It really helps! His best advice to me came on my first day out: He said, “If you do get tossed by a wave ALWAYS COME UP SMILING!” I’m still at the point where surfing more scary than it is fun, but I am determined!

Good luck to everyone! :)

]]> By: clint versfeld http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-32221 clint versfeld Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:59:39 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-32221 hi my name is clint and live margat kzn we have some mean wavesthis side and it is verry chopy at some days winter the waves are owesm it makes me wao go in but ? im a little scared to get to the back line i normaly surfin the middle between the back line and the beah wha can i do to over came my fear im scared if i get to the back line i wont get back to the beach im scared i might drift further in see pls i need help need t gt to the big waves at the back line ive been surfing for about 6 years and only paddeld out once and got a bit scared i paddeld back to shore HELP PLS hi my name is clint and live margat kzn we have some mean wavesthis side and it is verry chopy at some days winter the waves are owesm it makes me wao go in but ? im a little scared to get to the back line i normaly surfin the middle between the back line and the beah wha can i do to over came my fear im scared if i get to the back line i wont get back to the beach im scared i might drift further in see pls i need help need t gt to the big waves at the back line ive been surfing for about 6 years and only paddeld out once and got a bit scared i paddeld back to shore HELP PLS

]]> By: Hayley http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-22619 Hayley Sun, 22 May 2011 17:55:03 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-22619 Haha - I still remember that one day at Ditch where it was like...what...3-4 with maybe the occasional 5. And I was all like..."Can I paddle out with you?" cause I was all nervous. You were awesome. Thank you, that was actually a huge step for me and my funboard :) Haha – I still remember that one day at Ditch where it was like…what…3-4 with maybe the occasional 5. And I was all like…”Can I paddle out with you?” cause I was all nervous. You were awesome. Thank you, that was actually a huge step for me and my funboard :)

]]> By: p. claire pertalion http://www.surfinghandbook.com/knowledge/fear-of-the-ocean/comment-page-1/#comment-22602 p. claire pertalion Sun, 22 May 2011 14:12:41 +0000 http://surfinghandbook.com/?page_id=20#comment-22602 i remember having to get the writer of this article to go out on bigger waves. i knew she could handle it. it helps to have someone to make you go out on bigger days. now she kicks my ass. thank you very much. i remember having to get the writer of this article to go out on bigger waves. i knew she could handle it.

it helps to have someone to make you go out on bigger days.

now she kicks my ass.

thank you very much.

]]>