Learning to surf while vagabonding
Looking for a surf safari on your travels but need to learn the sport first? It can be fun to take a class while you’re on vacation—but how do you find professional operators?
Prices for surf classes can be affordable for vagabonders, depending on the location. Popular tourist destinations may be more expensive, but once you learn, the cost is minimal to rent a board and try out new locations.
Bev Sanders, founder of Las Olas surf camps for women, has advice for learning to surf at home and abroad. “I highly recommend taking a lesson, whether it’s a private lesson or part of a surf school. Having someone right there for you is better for your safety, and that of the other surfers around. Until you learn control of the board, the potential for collision is high.”
When searching out the right surf outfitter, ask how long they have been in the area and how long their instructors have surfed there. According to Sanders, “Surf breaks can be territorial. Locals may resent a new school coming into a location. If they’ve been there for more than five years, it’s more likely that they mesh well with the local surf scene.”
Besides determining the outfitter’s establishment in the area, ask what kind of training the surf instructors have. Proficiency at a sport doesn’t necessarily mean the person is a great teacher. The best instructors will have training at teaching the sport as well.
Surf outfitters should have gear that’s cared for and free of major damage. “Equipment isn’t as much an issue as it used to be, since it’s being made more resilient nowadays. But it could be an indication of the outfitter not caring much about its business,” said Sanders.
If you’re planning more in advance, and looking for surf instruction before you embark on your trip, check with your local surf outfitter if there’s one in your area. Have they been there? Do they have any contacts where you are going? Connections can stretch across the globe.
Wherever you learn, once you get up and riding, there’s a whole new reason to travel.
2010-07-10 04:33
Crappy advice... That's the reason why people never try surfing, diving, kiteboarding...
You make it sound more complicated that it actually is( with surfing or any other outdoor activity).
People who want to try out surfing don't need to do a background check on a school ( they've already spent a couple hours on internet just looking for a school). They are not planning to "catch monster waves".
All they are looking for are : affordable price, unforgettable experience and a few pictures of them on the board.
And that crap with "lacalism " makes Hawaii sound like a war zone ( "Don't surf there , you gonna get beaten up ").
If you can't afford the price for lessons, just watch Youtube, rent a board and have fun !
You really don't need to scare people away just to promote an outfitter....
2010-07-10 08:37
Thanks for your feedback, Paul.
Learning a sport while traveling doesn't have to be difficult, I agree. The benefit of trusting your outfitter in many cases is a question of safety. Even if you're not planning on catching monster waves, water and surf can be dangerous in some conditions, and over the years I've seen people who are prepared get into trouble.
It's entirely possible to learn to surf on your own, and advice for scouting out the right place and conditions weren't the purpose of this post--which was to answer questions I've gotten from people about how to take surfing classes while traveling. Indeed, localism is an issue in some places, and less so in others. In the case mentioned above, it's with regard to respecting a school or not, rather than warring.
Enjoy your adventures, however you choose them!
2010-07-12 10:30
Watching the surfers at Manhattan Beach in California was an awesome experience. The waves were crashing but the surfers held their own. There was one guy who paddled out and just stayed out there. He reminded me of Patrick Swayze's character in Point Break.
2010-07-13 18:53
As a surfer, you missed something key that helps people get a start: the right location matters a ton. You can go start in Hawaii, but, frankly, the power of the waves in a lot of spots could put you off. I've seen a number of people take lessons in conditions not extremely well suited to what they're doing.
The best places to start (1) are relatively uncrowded - for the record, seriously consider cold water surf. You have to deal with a wetsuit but you'll end up a better surfer with more versatile skills if you learn in a wetsuit anyways, (2) have long, consistent beach breaks - it's a lot easier to master basics if you have three seconds of wave than one and if the break goes off every day. Also, a lot of people (even some experienced guys I've seen, ahem) don't realize that many spots are only really consistent during certain seasons - it's best to check this in advance and learn a bit about weather/what makes waves if you're serious about this stuff (3) have a friendly surf community - your best tips after the initial lessons will come from other people once you paddle out past the white water, and they'll push you to get out there and test your limits when you feel like you've just been worked one too many times and water is pouring out of your nose for hours after.
To be honest, the first surf lesson isn't particularly hard to teach and pretty much anyone who's taken a couple could teach someone to pop up. However, be suspicious of any instructor who can't point out where the rips are and who doesn't give a good safety overview. That's what you're paying for. Also, when you start, a daily lesson is probably overkill. Look for someone who will let you get a new lesson (if you're lesson inclined) when you're ready to move onto each successive step (e.g. white water going straight, little gentle waves, paddling out to a heavier beach break, learning how to manage a point break).
2010-07-14 11:07
jc, thanks so much for chiming in! Your surfing input is much appreciated!