Where to start surfing in New Jersey

go for it. your up in north jersey no problem for me. but go at it every day and just commit to the wave.

 

riddle way beach in manasquan isn't bad for beginners, and it's never crowded. sea girt might have some. as far as monmouth county goes i don't think long branch, belmar or spring lake are very good for beginners. where are you at now?

 

hey motivated-sounds like you have done your research and you got the gear you need so get out and go. don't listen to the nasayers. the bottom line is you got to put in the time and by summer you will be smiling as you rip the mush. my suggestion is to use the days of no surf to workout (yoga, light weights, swim at the Y) and read about wave dynamics, check this site, etc. the more you know the better you will understand why the spot is working on one day and not the next.

And don't worry about the "locals". I have been surfing for 3 years and skateboarding for 20years and i have never been in a fight over a snake or lack of etiquette. just remember there will always be another day of good clean conditions. you will come across guys who call you a "kook" and themselves "locals". stay away from them, they are like the people that butt in a line at the deli. they think the wave is made for them and them only. But trust me they will be gone in a matter of time (get their girlfriend pregnant, sold their board for drugs, gambling debt, etc). Instead look for the guys that offer a quick tip on the beach or in the water. They may not ever be a surfer. Like a guy who walks his dog every morning on the beach or a fisherman on the pier. The have a ton of info on sandbars, tides, big fish sittings, obstacles in the water, etc.

lastly, go to thesurfnetwork.com and download some movies to see what the big boys do. i suggest starting with the classics, like the hal jepsen films or endless summer. this will lift your spirits during the flat spells and help you come to terms that surfing is a lifelong pursuit and an activity for the patient soul. but in the end there is nothing on earth better then dawn patrol on a calm winter day watching the sun come up and glassy mounds on fun rolling toward you every 10-12 seconds.

be safe, have fun and hopefully i will see you out there sometime. i surf mostly around margate pier and ventnor. i am not a "local", but last sunday morning my friend (who owns a house there so maybe he is a "local") and I were the only people out with glassy knee to waist high beginner style waves.

 

Best advice yet
Go for it man. Just be patient and dont get discouraged.

 

-pier village around that area
-when going to deal from long branch loch arbor around that area little smaller but no complaints
-sandy hook but its a point break
-and Monmouth beach and sea bright always fun

good luck happy hunting

 

Long Beach Island has the most variety of surf breaks in NJ.
North end of LBI: intermediate to advanced, breaks on all tides, but low can get nasty, short paddle out, steep breaks, can be crowded all year round, look for pro surfer Randy Townsend (Good Guy).
Central part of LBI: beginner to advanced, long paddle out, breaks best at mid tide going high, longer paddle out, easy wave to ride, no crowds in winter.
South end of LBI: intermediate to advanced, breaks on all tides, best place for Nor'easters, long paddle out, steep breaks, can be crowded all year round

Good Luck, we all were beginners a one time...

 

This thread is just what I have been hoping to see on swell info. Lots of positive energy and encouragement for a committed newbie! If the dude can learn in winter, then he will turn out to be core. Good for you guys for seeing that and supporting him!

I learned to surf in my thirties after years of mountain oriented adrenaline sports. I learned in Santa Cruz, a "notoriously localized" place. Now I didn't paddle out at the Lane on a foamie, but what I did do was chat up other surfers, ask lots of "stupid" questions, and look for help wherever I could get it. Was I a kook? Absolutely. Nevertheless, I found Santa Cruz to be a remarkable friendly and supportive place to learn to surf. I think people got off on my newbie stoke and were more than willing to help. I still like to go back there when I am in NCal.

Fifteen years later, I am still surfing somewhat regularly (although a different ocean), love the sport, and am willing to encourage anyone who really wants to learn it. I have seen lots of summertime posers who really just want to see themselves look like someone on a TV ad or to be able to tell the folks back home that they are a "surfer". So I can usually tell who is gonna be charging big cold waves in a few years and who is gonna get slapped down a few times and quit. For those newbies with the gleam in their eye from their first real ride I say good on ya, stick with it, and bring that good stoke out to share with everyone. There is just too much negative energy in the line up (and in the sport as a whole) these days.

Maybe the negative folks and "haters" should just quit the sport and find a form of recreation that make them happier. Surfing is not about hating.
My two cents...

Anyways - thanks to everyone for a supportive, surfer-friendly thread.

 

I agree with Matt-started on a longboard in the 60's/in NJ
the best-Suzy

 

huh???????

 

Matt-I agree with your post-12-10-2009/8:43pm

 

oh okay your typing confussed me LOL