Where to start surfing in New Jersey

Summer time is really the best time to start learning, as the surf is smaller and a little more consistent - allthough smaller. Plus in the summer, you dont have to worry about the wet suite and all that.

 

Anywhere in Monmouth county except Avon.(The water is really dirty there)

 

everything is wrong about your post. 1st, only good, really into it surfers surf in the winter, so better more extreme surfers. 2. totally wrong choice to learn in the winter, the waves barrrel more in the winter, so that means stronger waves and sttep faces. 3. In a 5/4/3 botts and gloves, your not gona do ****, your not going to be able to learn, its gona be wayy to hard for you. 4. Although the waves are "better" this time of year sep-dec.. better is not always consistent, its size and form too. 4. learn in the summer, its gona be way easier, more bad surfers, and mellower beginer waves. so sell your wetsuits and wait til summer. Im not kidding, its not easy surfing winter.

 

While it is easier to surf in the summer, and the waves are smaller/faces are more mellow, if you are determined and really don't mind the cold it's possible to start in the winter. At the very least you'll get a feel for the board/ocean/etc. And yes, i'd say at least at the very start getting a longboard and staying in the whitewater is a good idea. Just make sure you're not going out in anything too big, because the currents can get nasty in the winter. It's also nice to see someone who is starting out that realizes he should stay away from the better breaks...that's a rarity these days unfortunately.

 

I agree with even though learing to surf in the winter is less forgiving. It will make you decide real quick if its for you or not. Get a longboard too 9'0 is a good all around beginers board. If you can take a surfing lessons in the summer or make friends with someone thats a little bit more advance than you .
Also do alot of watching. I belive surfing is 60% watching . Weather it be watching the water to see where the waves break or if there is a current or watching other surfers to see how to improve you surfing.
Fianally know your limits! and have fun

 

^^ don't listen to him

 

If nothing else, go on a calm days during the winter - you can get wet, learn how to paddle, develop some paddling technique, strength, and stamina, and get some whitewater rides.

 

I am really new to surfing as well, only been surfing for about a year. I do agree the winter tends to be less forgiving.

Do not go out by yourself find someone else to surf with and there is some calm 1-3ft days in the winter that can be pretty fun for a beginner. Don't try to be some shredder off the bat you may drown especially with nobody around like the winter time.

I rode bmx for about 7 years before taking up surfing and have taken the rules of the skatepark to the rules of the ocean. Don't snake people! Don't throw your board! Do not be disrespectful and you are better off not paddling out into the middle of a crowded lineup. Not going to the crowded spots keeps you safe from yourself and other people. You won't get to ride the best breaks but as a beginner surfer you won't know the difference.

Don't be afraid to put some foam under yourself either. At first I was trying shortboards as some of my friends who already knew to surf recommended them. Don't look at it as a fashion show. A thruster might look cooler then a fun shape but what does it matter when you just sit in the lineup because you can't ride it? I have my shortboard and also have a funshape. I might look like a " kook " to some of the shredders,. but I stay away from the crowds and I have my own fun.

Bookmark swell info and learn about the conditions and tides and what spots work best at what conditions.....etc

Most importantly have fun and know your limits. Paddling out the first few times is grueling until you get used to it and build that arm strength. A wave is heavier and stronger then you. If the conditions aren't right then don't go out. When you finally go catch your first wave it is probably one of the most memorable experiences, like man and nature together or some sort of cheesy saying. It is amazing, from there you will be absolutely hooked. Or you will decide surfing isn't for you. Good luck!

 

its hard to peg one spot or another as "beginner friendly" as they all are different at different times. Put it this way -- whatever spot you do go to, just stay off the main peak.

 

That's the bottom line. Any spots that break well aren't going to be very beginner-friendly. Just know your position and maintain respect. It will make things easier too if you ask someone for help. It will flatter them and get you some sympathy. The only advantage to not learning in the summer is that its not as crowded. That means less kooks and less idiot swimmers who are asking to get smacked.

 

I learned in the winter. If you're determined to do something just do it, when you feel like doing it. If anything it's made me feel that winter really isn't that bad here and I appreciate summers even more. And also winter typically thins out the kooks and tourists so if you're the type that learns by watching others, like I am, you'll have better people out to watch and learn from.

 

good on you to charge it in the winter as a beginner.

The green man is your friend. And, by that, I mean the green (clean) conditions that are foretasted on Swellinfo. You will want to look for those 1-3ft clean days. In the winter it often goes from flat to overhead with an approaching storm. What you will want to look for is the fading swell. Those overhead swells will generally die down pretty quick, but the following day or so you can get small, but very clean conditions. The hardest part tho in the winter is that following the frontal systems is generally very cold and often windy - But not always!

 

it usually depends on the break for tides, but generally around jersey spots, low-mid tide tends to work favorably. LBI from point to point tends to have lots of spots and areas around Brick and pretty consistent. Usually sand breaks break anywhere so it won't be a problem finding a mild spot. To find out information on breaks I go to www.surf-forecast.com and look and the summary of a break. That gives you a general idea of the break, how it breaks, the best time it breaks, and what swell it takes. Check out the breaks on your free time and if you want to surf away from the others (props), generally you can walk down 100 meters and find another wave.

 

i have been surfing for years now and i dont worry about all that local or not, best break bull****. dont get me wrong i love surfing great breaks, it does make a difference but my brother and i just walk up the street from our house and just surf whats there, not to picky. i still surf my old Bic Stick, aka the indestruct-o-board on occasion because its mad fun.
who gives a damn about the whole "kook" thing, that just people trying to look hard. just go out have mad fun, chill on the shoulder and rock the hell out of it. winter can be less forgiving but there are less people so you dont got to worry about the "local factor". i live on the beach and i am never like that, if anything i see someone i dont recognize and i talk to them. you never know who it will be, maybe they can teach you something. i learned mad **** because i paddled out and didnt recognize the person, turned out to be sam hammer and ryan daily who i actually worked with for awhile lol but like i said just have fun man

 

My suggestion is to stay out of the water all together! It's too dangerous and you wouldn't even like it.................. You should try a hobby like chess, this way we wont have to scream at you when you're in our way.

Check Mate!

 

this is one of those ***gots i was talking about

 

^^^^^ Words of wisdom right there. That's what surfing is all about.

Like I've said before, some of the best surfers I know ride soft tops and round noses and SUP. So don't bash on the surfers who ride SUPs because most of the time they're better than you (and me and most other people...)

 

Always try to surf with a buddy or someone in the same area and always cover up your head when you wipe out........P.S.If you can surf in the winter with all the rubber it should come alot easier in the summer for you.