Surfing Lesson???

hahaha don't ban me.... naw gruvi it's your money. If you think that is the right way to go, then do it. Surfing, ultimately, is an individual thing because no one else can ride your board with you to help you. it's just you and the ocean. Lessons or not, just go out and have fun! (the only reason why you shouldn't is to save that money for the gas tank!)

 

In my opinion, once you get the motions down, you're wasting your time Re-learning what the instructor will teach you aside from a few minor tips. Repetition and water time is key from here. From what I understand you don't live near the water, so expect your learning curve to be a little longer with less water time. This is for beginner lessons however. Now, if you're talking coaching lessons at a camp working on turns and maneuvers, that's a different story and I'd say go for it.

Then again it all depends on the instructor too. Most don't know how to teach past beginner level surfing.

If I may ask, who's your instructor? I know you surf chincoteague and I live there... I'm just curious as to who you're going through?

 

You seem to have a pretty loose budget when it comes to your new hobby. I think you should go ahead with one lesson, and after that, decide if you should continue. I think at the very least, you will pick up some good tips on safety and etiquette, as well as some basic mechanics. These are things that most of us learned the hard way (and slow way).

 

what is this, mtv made??

 

Hahaha! Gruvi is trying so hard to pusify our forum...I refuse to let this happen. Spend that loot Gruvi...let it rain!

 

Gruvi, are you planning on surfing through the winter?

 

One of the best ways to learn anything I think is to watch closely how others do it. So, getting in the water as much as possible and being around others who know what they are doing.

I'm sure if you take a lesson or two, it will give you some helpful tips.
Tell the instructor, what you want help with the most rather then wasting your time learning how to put on sun block.

 

Yeah gruve man .. keep on postin!! We love it!!

 

video or it didn't happen

 

I go out nearly every day, year-round. I'm don't have the "get out of here kook" attitude and it's nice to see someone with legit interest in surfing. I'll send you a PM sometime.

Where do you stay in chincoteague, one of the camp grounds?

 

Ok Gruvi, first, Is this professional a beginner instructor or a surf coach. Huge difference. Since you know how to surf you will not gain anything from a beginner format. On the other hand, I do not agree with everyone on here. Hands down, your surfing will improve if you have a coach. The only problem is the lack of consistancy to improve. I would suggest saving the $60 and using it on a trip where they film and study your surfing. I hired a personal coach/guide for a trip in Portugal and the knowledge gained was insane.(he trained Marlon Lipke for the 2009 WCT). He pointed out many positives in my surfing but also showed me what needs improvement. Similarly, minor tips can dramatically improve your surfing. Yes, you can learn from other but only if you understand what to look for. For example, Kelly doesn't rip because of his feet placement, take a look at his entire body during a turn. His body has PERFECT body mechanics( back straight, knees bent 45-90degrees) to any turn. Also, this is why his style is so awesome as well. So my suggestion is YES get a surf coach but make sure their is surf for him to watch your surfing. I have about 10years experience so If you need any tips PM me. Shaka

 

if you can stand up, i'd say pass on the lesson, however as JG Wentworth says, "It's your money, use it when you need it".

Whenever I really want to improve my surfing with certain moves (other than actually trying them) is to watch videos of people surfing online. So like if their is going to be a flat spell, I'll go home and watch videos to help me improve, and then if we ever get swell again (feels like forever on the east coast) i try out the move.

but as 757 surfer said, surfing is an individual sport, do it the way you want to do it, don't try to be swayed by other people's opinions.

 

I lesson with a coach or someone with many years experience teaching others to surf would not hurt one bit. They will be able to show you what ur doing wrong and how to improve on it.

As for surfing in the winter I think you should but know your limits. Surfing in the winter will help you improve your skills like paddling , Duck Diving, and pop in up on the boards. It will feel like you too a cpl steps back at first cause of the extra rubber you will have on but that only last for a cpl sessions. Once it water warms up u will see a big increase in your surfing.

 

a 4/3 will take you into a december. i usually can hold up in a 4/3 until right around thanksgiving, and maybe the 1st of december. for me it is the suit i use least. mostly from november to december, and april to may. if you aren't too skinny a 4/3 is good. all depends on air temperature too. the water could be 50 degrees, but we could get one of those november freezes for a week or snow even, and you probably won't last in your 4/3. you might need a hood by thanksgiving too or earlier if the air gets cool. i'm still trunking though while 3/4ths of people are in rubber. i expect to be trunking well into october by most years, but if it's good saturday i might put on the 3/2, because the temperature is supposed to be chilly that day.