Monday, August 3, 2009

Going Surfing : What Is Surfing?

By Richard Stokes

What it is, who it attracts and where to go are topics for this part of our how to surf guide.

Surfing is a popular ocean sport; you use a surfboard, usually made of polyurethane foam and fiberglass, to paddle out in the water, and then ride the waves into shore.

Many people find the freedom and fun of surfing very enticing, regardless of age or gender. The only actual requirements needed to learn how to surf is to swim well and be physically fit, because you put yourself at risk without possessing these two basic abilities. Even though surfing is far less dangerous than many other sports, it still contains dangers of it's own.

If the waves are over a meter high, it's a good location to surf, and you can do it all year, depending on the weather. Surfing is fairly inexpensive as sports go; the most money you will spend will be on buying a quality board. Popular surfing beaches typically offer surfboard and wetsuit rentals, if that's the route you wish to go.

The basics of surfing are easy to understand, but it takes practice and time to implement them. You can teach yourself how to surf, or by talking to and watching others surf; lots of surfers love sharing their tips and techniques with beginners. But taking lessons from an instructor is the fastest and safest way to be taught how to surf.

You should be able to learn to stand up on a surfboard and ride small waves within a day or two of starting to surf. Your instructor will also give you invaluable lessons on how to read the ocean, like her waves and her currents. Being able to properly judge when it is or is not safe to surf, which wave is right for you, and how that wave will break are important parts of the learning process.

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