Surfing or body board?

Tips on body boarding and surfing?

• I can body board but never been any good and I find it hard to "ride the waves" for the whole wave. Can any one give me any tips on doing it properly? Also with surfing, how difficult is it, or is it just a matter of practice? Tips on that as well? Thanks guys

• Answer:

  Surfing is an actvity that should only be practiced by someone who is comfortable in the ocean, with its rips, currents, and sometimes BIG waves.There are already way too many dangerous people in the water. A danger to themselves and other surfers. Don't join their ranks. maybe you need to take a step back. Swim in the ocean, and swim in and out past the break. Get comfortable swimming in the surf. Then work at body surfing. After awhile, you'll get the feel of the waves, and how they propel you. Then get back on your body board. Lessons are the best way to start surfing, unless you are a young adult or adolescent with surfing pals who can teach you . You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don't want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave. The worst thing you can do is just rent a board, and go out and get in the way of experienced surfers. It's dangerous. They will either collide with you, or if you annoy them enough, they will seek you out and strangle you. Be very careful of what you read here on line. Some of the folks who answer on this site are very nice young folks, but not really very experienced surfers. In fact some of the folks who are giving you advice may not know as much about surfing as you do. After I found this site, I figured that I could answer a few questions, and spread the 'good news' of surfing. Most people learn best on long boards, although I have seen lots of surfers start on a short board and master it. In the long run, there are NO RULES on what type of board you have to learn on. A board has to be bouyant enough to float you well enough for you to paddle and take off on a wave. A surfer's board preference depends on three things: Their size (what will float them how much you weigh is what is important, not how tall you are), Their skill level (beginner to advanced) and the type of waves usually encountered at their local breaks. Beginners need not waste money on buying aboard. Rent one to learn on (board rental is included in most lessons) and the try borrowing or renting a few different types before you decide to buy one. And then, discuss your purchase with the folks in a good lcoal shop first. Surfing is not easy, but it's great fun. I have been surfing for 42 years, and I hope you take the time to learn, and learn the right way, and have as much fun as I have had.