Surfing Instruction

Time in the water is the best way to learn. Also books from the library for tips ect. But mainly water time.

At OB I've learned how to be a great paddler. It wasn't until I took a few trips that I leaned to be a decent (and that is stretching it) surfer.

@slickjoey2, surfing is a very peculiar sport that there is very little infrastructure to actually progress in the sport. I suppose that is a holdover from the old days of localism, machismo, etc. ie "let them figure it out". And also surfing prides itself on individualism. But now, the good youngsters are indeed getting lots of coaching, videotaping, etc. It is so absurd to tell an aspiring swimmer, for example, the best way to learn is to swim up and down the pool a lot. " Time in the water, kid. It's all you need...." Of course time in the water is essential, but often not sufficient for an adult who is trying to improve.

There are lots of surf schools in tropical areas where you go for a week or two, and practice your skills. Richard Schmidt runs an adult camp once a year in the summer in Santa Cruz, and also goes to Costa Rica. He is a really nice, mellow guy.

But as far as local, everyday kind of coaching or practicing, there is very little available to the average adult surfer who wants to progress. Ed at Club Ed will do private lessons at different levels, also in Santa Cruz. You could try Wise or Aqua to see if anyone is currently coaching. Let us know if you find anything useful in the SF area!

might i recommend u seek oot a biker/surfer type of personage - as they could help u apply yr experience of motocross to waveriding. like: "turning off the tail is like pulling a pop-a-wheelie" or: "noseriding is nothing like doing an endo" - or something like that. basically, u might find it easier to learn something new via the lens of something familiar.

p.s. i am not an accredited psychological professional

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I found that reading pretty much everything surfing related I could get my hands on helped. Setting a Session per year or week goal will help as well.

I set a goal last year of 200 sessions in the year, ended up surfing 247 sessions, at almost 40 different locations with about 30 different people and I got a lot better. I set a similar goal this year.

I have learned the most from other surfers that are better/braver/crazier than you and surf with them whenever you can. Pushing your comfort zone in conditions, boards and locations is what will make you better, rather than a single or even a few classes of instruction. Best advice I can give is talk to people in the line up a bit, more in the parking lot and listen. Get phone numbers, then text and surf with them. That is usually the best way. There is a community out there and finding some good friends to surf with will help.

Where I surf, what I surf and how I surf depends almost as much as who I am surfing with as it does on the conditions.

to start, try Richard Schmidt in Santa Cruz - either hire him yrself or do one of his camps. there are a ton of surf schools, but he's a legit ex-pro surfer and has been teaching a long time.

Dude. You can take a lesson from an OB local and fellow stokereporter. Earn karma points on both accounts! Here are the details:

http://stokereport.com/rant/classified-ad-epic-surf-lesson

Call Bill Kilgore

But Charlie don't surf!

Yes he does.

I think watching really good surfers helps so get some videos or just look online. Learning how to duck dive is really important too. Definitely going on a trip where you surf with someone who can help you out is a cool way to learn as I think it is all about the adventure in the end anyway... Like most things it is figuring out how you like to surf.

@ closeout.......thanks much got a much needed laugh :)