I am 13, I have been surfing for 2 years. I havent went out since summer, I was wondering were its safe for me to surf by myself. Someone please help me out, thanks!
I would recommend you go to the common spots where there are always other surfers. So, if you did have trouble in the water, there will be someone to help you out. So ask around to find out where these spots are in your area. As for beginners tho, if you are surfing at one of the better breaks, its always a good idea to go down the beach a bit from the main peak.
Always surf with someone. I am in my 20s and can count the number of times I've surfed alone on my two hands. Surfing is a great experience to enjoy with friend. There are however, times when surfing is a great meditation. If you go alone, even if you are around people, make sure you can handle the surf you are about to enter. Even though there may be 20 people in the water, they aren't watching to see if you make it back out. If your friend goes missing in the lineup for 5 minutes you'll notice. If the guy sitting next to you in the lineup is gone for 5 minutes, you'll probably just think he went in for a break, which may not be the case. I once did the stupidest thing and surfed during a storm by myself with only a few people in the water down the way. It only takes one toss to hurt yourself. When I was out with my friend one time during a storm there was another kid in the water when we came in. On the beach, his mom was following him as he was drifting super quick with the current. She looks at us and goes, "Is he still out there?" Unbelievable. Even if something were to happen to him, what was she going to do, call someone and tell them her son is missing. So, after all that, what I am trying to say is that no matter how many people are on the beach or in the water, it is always better to go with someone who is surfing as well. If that is not an option, know your limits. The end.
Thanks guys. Thank you for helping me out, I really want to go out when the swell is big. But I do not have a friend that I could surf with. Is it nice to go up to any surfer and ask if they want to surf with me??
I was out by myself once in hurricane surf. There were two other guys on the same beach. When I had my back turned to them after taking a wave, one of them ran into me with his longboard. His board hit the back of my head and knocked me under the water. When I came up I looked down and I could see blood in the water. I scrambled to get out of the water. He didn't ask me if I was ok, appologize, or get out of the water to check. Luckily I found someone on the beach to call an ambulance with their cell phone. I needed 12 staples. Moral of the story is don't trust that the other random kooks in the water are gonna watch out for you. Pick a beach. Go there every time and make friends with the locals. Show them respect and be friendly. Start out by saying hi to them. Then after they see you a few times strike up some conversations and introduce yourself. Eventually you'll be local and then they will watch out for you. Just don't make a habit of surfing by yourself. It's not safe.
I agree that surfing alone is not necessarily the best idea but I personally do it all the time. Not many of my friends got into surfing when I did so for me its always been about my own experience with and less based on what others are doing. Though surfing at the surf beach is always an exercise in competitive surfing. You're still young, like the previous posts said, always know your limits. It does only take one wave to take you out but it only takes one overhead barrel to make your year. Just be careful.
rdj RDJ i was the one who called the ambulance for you that day i just got out of the water to help my friend who also hurt himself minute before you got hit by the board
Wow, hey thanks man! He had hurt his ankle or something right? If I remember you were too young for me to buy you a beer or I definitely would. PM me if you're gonna be paddling out this weekend. There was also a nice old guy from Brooklyn Ave that helped me try to stop the bleeding. You wouldn't happen to know him? I've been trying to find him and thank him as well.
rDj haha yeahh anytime and that kid who i was with hurt his knee real bad he tore his misicis i cant spell and i rember that guy off brooklyen but i had no idea who he is, really nice guy tho.oh and yeah i am prob going to be going out this weekend probitly friday after noon and saturday see you out there
yeah that wasnt a fun day on for either of us your kinda lucky b/c your injury was short term mine sucks but i'll be out there til this thing gives out again
