hey every one. I just started surfing and was looking for a way to improve. Are surf camps worth the money or should I just go out and learn on my own? I have taken a few lessons and I can catch waves with an instructor but once I am out by myself I am just paddling around and have no idea where to position my self.
Yes - but some are better than others. If you have the cash, check out Surf Simply in Costa Rica. Pricey, but an excellent learning environment. In the meantime, check out their Big Whiteboard Wednesday Series. It is free on Youtube.
I would say no on the camps. I mean, your money would be better spent on equipment etc. Boards, wetsuits, depending on where you live. This time of year, more people will be out in the water, so you can kind of learn from your surroundings. You can quickly youtube the basics, and after that, I don't think there is really that much a surf camp can teach you. All the ones in SoCal that I would see every single day, was just basically one instructor, out with like 15 kids with no real directions in the water. Its like paying for a pre-surf speech and then you are out on your own anyway... I'm not anti surf camp, I just think surf camps are like a novelty kind of deal if you are from Ohio and want to learn how to surf during your 3 day stay in Jersey... If you plan on surfing on a somewhat regular basis, even if its only seasonally, just go out and learn. Unless you are extremely un-athletic, you should be standing up and riding white water on your first day. The only guy I have been unsuccessful with teaching how to at least stand up on their first day was and old Chef friend of mine, but he was a solid 260 and a brick sh** house. Im not a miracle worker.... Anyway, once you are standing and riding straight to the beach, the next day, trying and ride down the face at an angle... and so on and so on.... Surfing is EXTREMELY difficult, but there is nothing really secret about it... The only way to get better and to learn is by clocking water time. I know that is Cliche. But It's the truth... Maybe go drop some coin on one or two sessions at the surf camp. Let someone tell you face to face... Do the Keanu Reeves Pop up on the beach routine, but after that, a surf camp is useless.
If you are already catching waves and standing up with an instructor present, you have the mechanics necessary to learn on your own. You need more water savvy. Try catching waves on your belly, or without a board, a few times to learn timing and positioning (keep back on your board so you don pearl if you are riding prone). This can not be taught, only leaned via observation and mostly through experience. Don't be too hard on yourself, just try to progress a little bit each session. And stay away from crowds. Just find an empty slot somewhere down the beach. You'll avoid hassles.
Not sure where you are located, but if in NJ/CA check out this link (not sure how old it is)...CLICK HERE...but may be something you would be interested in pursuing. I'm a fan of coaching as sometimes some of the technical aspects of where you arms are going or where you moving your hips, head, etc. need to be pointed out by someone with a bit more experience...have fun! Google search link...
^^^ What these guys said is all true. Most important part is to just get in the water as much as humanly possible, keep doing what you already know and pay attention to those around you to pick up things here and there, and over time your body will just start doing the right things through trial and error. It just clicks one day, that day is sooner than others, or later than others, depending on how dedicated you are, how quickly you learn from your mistakes, and how tough you are. The key is to never give up, no matter how frustrated you get.
Definitly. I'm 16 and I did a surf camp last summer in Costa Rica. I went on a trip that was run by WBsurf camp. It was amazing. I surfed the best waves and even some barrels and improved a ton. Nothing is better than surfing with a group of teens your age and having fun. I highly reccomend that you do a surf camp
If you live where you can surf regularly, you'll improve by getting in the water as often as possible. At home read all the internet surf tutorials, exercise at home. In the water, work on paddling, all conditions, all speeds, make sure your weight is forward and shoulders are up. The other thing is to watch waves and learn how they they break. Go where others are surfing, STAY OUT OF THE WAY - stay on the right or left of where the wave is break, paddle out and watch where surfers position themselves to catch waves. Go home and read the tutorials again. Make sure your board is 'right size'. Bigger boards are easier for beginners. Catch some waves. Put in the time. If you don't live near the ocean, a surf camp is a nice way to get a concentrated dose of watertime. Find one that features a good beginner wave. The Witches Rock camp in Tamarindo, Costa Rica has a perfect beginner wave right in front. Traveling to a surf camp is not cheap. I wouldn;t bother with an east coast surf camp cause the waves, conditions, etc are unpredictable and unreliable.
an EC surf camp might work if you are less than 90 pounds, you can ride a shin hi ripple on a big board. time in the water is the only way to improve
See, I meant a local, mainland based surf camp. If you have the opportunity to go the central america and learn to surf for a week, do it.... But one of the best things to do also, is get OUT of the water and watch. About 12 years ago, I suffered an injury and was out of the water for a month. I put headphones on and sat on the OB pier or above Peskys every day and just watched. And studied... When I got back in the water, I seriously felt like I had fine tuned my surfing by studying, rather than doing. Tricks I was working on, airs and stuff just started clicking. Because there is so much going on when you are in the water, and once you are up and going, its hard to race through the 10,000 things you want to apply to the waves... So, I found solitude in just studying, from the land. You will learn a lot more that way, rather than floating around in the lineup. As soon as guys take off, you really can't see what they are doing unless its super small out. You really can just studying the paddling and takeoff techniques being out there...
There are tons of beginner surf videos online you can watch for free and they are pretty informative. Hope that helps.
Do it. If you have to ask, you should go do it. You won't learn much on an EC shore pound and these are totally different type of waves than what vision of surfing for many is. Go and have a nice vacation in warm water and friendly waves. That being said, where ever you are it is worth a lot to go out with a local. Not just because 'localism' but just so someone can tell you what to look for, where to go when, etc. That knowledge is priceless where ever you are and worth more than a complete series of surf lessons. Even if you were good, to pay for an instruction somewhere new, and where you will be for the length of time, is worth it even if you don't necessarily need surfing tips. Zach broke it down nicely recently to some dude moving to soCA recently. That goes a long way.
Go somewhere warm with a lot of reefs and slabs. You will be able to learn faster over the shallow sharp reefs and sharp rock ledges because they have more consequence when you fall. Also beach breaks can be annoying to paddle and get into position. Find a nice reef pass and sit in same spot all day and practice your surfing without trying to hit the bottom. . . .
In sum: travel to a warm place with good consistent waves like a surf camp in Costa Rica: worth it going to some east coast surf camp and riding the same waves you'd ride othewise: not worth it. Spend the money on wetsuits and get to insure more water time.
u should do the camp,but not in America.my advice would be,cheapest bet,they have a surf camp in Puerto Escondido,mexico,and im sure they'll start u off on a small day and work ur way up.u master that and surfing America regardless if its east or west,u will have it down packed.when u go to places with real raw open ocean power,u learn how to handle urself in situations. surfing isn't a sport that can be learned in a day,or a week.to become a expert surfer takes many many years.learning where to sit,when to go and when not to go,what to do when a sneaker set comes,what to do if u lose ur board.many many obstacles,surfing is extremely dangerous,unless u surf the eastcoast then its just a day at the waterpark.in time if u stick with it and explore the world,which is the best thing about surfing if u ask me is going all over the world,youll see waves u been afraid of and tackle them like its a 1footer.my first time,and first wave in mexico I had to get rescued by a jetski.nj is like a midget version of mexi,which is why nj is cool,but it really sucks.mexico is the place to go,im heading down there in july,anybdy want to save some money on a trip message me
Wow....if this isn't sarcasm, this is one of the dumbest things I've heard on here in a while. Keep the goods coming!
Thank you everyone! Just one thing. I do live in jersey and everyone says the waves are small but there has been days where the waves look waaaaay to huge for a beginner (of course in the winter). I can't imagine riding anything bigger, for now. I have a pretty big board that's impossible to dive, any tips on how to get past the white water?
The waves can be too big for a beginner in the summer as well. It really depends on the swell. Just look at the surf reports for your area. Look for 1-3 feet/knee to waist. Forget all this b.s. that people are spewing out here cat. Honestly, just keep practicing in knee high to waist high waves. Barreling HEAVY and waist high might be a little much at first though. Something a little mushy would help. Stick to big boards at first. You don't NEED a surf camp. As long as you've had a few lessons you'll be fine. You don't need to spend hours "studying". This is all laughable. You're just trying to have some fun and get some exercise surfing right? Not become kelly slater or charge mavericks in the future. Just keep practing. Practice makes perfect at ANYTHING Have fun and in no time you'll be much better! (ego of people on here is driving much of the advice their giving you)
Oh and don't go anywhere near a reef Kat. Stick to sandbars only.(common sense) That's all NJ has anyway.
