l got a surf board for x-mas and l dont know how to actually surf
i love the beach and l love to watch surfing but l NEED some tips
on how to actually surf ... BY MYSELF

girls can not surf

You might want to read:
Common Sense Rules for Surfing
http://hubpages.com/_Y18/hub/Common-Sense-Rules-for-Surfing

-Go as deep as most others r going, depending on if u r a good swimmer, always be careful cuz currents can kill u.

-When a wave is coming, be on ur belly on the board, & paddle hard with ur arms towards the shore

-The wave will start to push u & at one point ull feel the nose of ur board start to be pushed down

-At this point pull up ur nose & the board will feel pretty stable & be moving forward

-Slowly push urself up till ur standing on the moving board



-This is just a beginners technique, but definitely what u should start with for a while.

Start with a long board, the surf (the end of the wave), and try to get up on one knee and balance a few times. After you are able to get to one knee then you can begin standing. Taking it a few steps at a time made it easier for me.

Go to a surf spot for beginners. Ask ur local surf shop, or surfers at advanced surf breaks where beginners should surf. They will be happy to point u to an appropriate spot, & as a beginner in an advanced or intermediate surf spot, u could be a danger to yourself & others.

When u r just beginning, just lay on the board & surf the wave in like u would if u were body boarding. This will help u get used to the waves.

NEVER DROP IN ON PEOPLE. This is one of the golden rules of surfing that many new surfers do not adhere to. When two people r paddling for a wave, the person closest to the breaking part of the wave has the right of way. If someone is already surfing farther down on a wave, do not paddle for that same wave! Dropping in on people is considered rude in the surfing community, not to mention it is extremely dangerous!

Since it is ur first time, bring a friend to help you, preferably a surfie friend. Besides it is less embarrassing with a friend when the wave dumps you. You can ask ur friend to push u into a wave if u do not think u can paddle into it fast enough.

Avoid riptides; they look like lots of sand at the top of the water. Water during a riptide might look brown or redder than usual.

Good Luck & remember to practise!

Most above r valid. However, to a beginner, most of what has been said is gibberish without actual visual demonstration of these concepts. if u want to learn in the most painless fashion possible, get some lessons. And try to find someone who can recommend u an instructor as most surf lessons r conducted very poorly in my opinion. All u need r a few lessons to cover the basics of surfing etiquette, safely, paddling, duckdiving/log rolling, popping up & basic turning, all of which can be covered in a few sessions. This will be plenty to practice afterward & will keep u busy for months if not years. You can of course try to learn all this yourself but it is likely to lead to more frustration & a slower learning curve. Trust me, the money u spend on lessons will be worth it.

Good luck!

Wow, screw the person that said girls can not surf.
l think u should go to a beach where a lot of beginner surfers go, because if u do not u can get in the way with the pros & some people can get cocky. Also l recommend u go to a local surf shop & see if any one wants to give u some surf lessons, & maybe they wo not be as pricey if u know them well. Have fun & do not be scared of ripples in the water. You can either think it is a shark that is out to get you, or some beautiful sea creature, Your choice [:

try skate bording its the same

Watch the movie Blue Crush. It is a great movie with Kate Bosworth, that can actually teach people how to surf at the same time, and its very motivating.

Good Luck!

Hi Ally,

l am sorry that so many poeple answered this question, because by now u must be really confused. l do not know how old u are, or what size/type surfboard u got for Christmas, or where u surf, or why u specified ''By myself''.

l am going to be very honest with you, & l hope u take what l am saying in the spirit og good will. First of all, NOBODY can give u the correct answer without first answering the questions l started out with. BOTTOM LINE. l have been surfing for 42 years, & spent s lot of time around surfers, & surf shops & surfing in general. Too mnay inexperineced kids answer questions on this site, that may tend to lead people astray.

First of all, there is no way anyone who is not completely at home in the ocean should be surfing. There r already way too many dangerous people in the water, who THINK they can surf. they r adanger to themselves & other surfers.

The only sensible way to start to surf, after being completely at home in the ocean, is to take lessons. Lessons can come from a professional or close friends or family who surf, & r willing to take to time to teach you.

If u do not come from a surfing family, or have good pals who surf, then there is no sensible way to learn without taking at least a few, good professional lessons.

l know u may want a more ''user friendly'' answer, but this is the truth, & believe me, there is nothing that makes expereineced surfers more angry than beginners trying to figure it all out, ''by tehmsleves'' & there r no more at risk group of people in the water, then inexperienced beginners, trying to leran how to surf, ''by themselves''

l started to surf in 1966, when there was no such things as 'lessons' but my leraning curve was long & tough, & l was laready an experienced 'waterman'. Since then l have spent hundreds & hindreds of hours surfing, & teachin my son & my grandchildren how to surf, & be at home in the ocean. So pick whichever suits what u want to hear as Best Answer, but when u actually go to the beach, please take my advice.

screw the person with the first answer.
girls can surf & they rock at it !

i got a surfboard for xmas aswell :)
its mad


l suggest that u practice standing up just in ur lounge room at home,
lay on the ground & practice jumping to ur feet.
when u think ur confident go out in the surf on a small day & practice paddling then when ur ready catch little white wash waves,
you will get the hang of it
you could just go to one of those learn to surf programs they r good.
good luck! girl surfers rock!

always hold on to ur board. if u let go, it can be a safety hazard to u & other surfers in the water. know surfing conduct so u do not get beat up by the other surfers. never snake another surfer. the surfer closest to the breaking point gets the right of way. wait ur turn in the line up. when u see a wave that is yours, paddle hard & do not stop paddling until u feel the power of the wave pushing you. then pop up quickly. never look down. keep ur knees bent. use the right equipment for ur skill level. sea life is attracted to shiny objects in the water like watches & necklaces. stay hydrated. always keep a water bottle on the beach so u do not get dehydrated. rent a board before u buy one. always go out to the surf shop. observe the waves before u go in the water. listen to what john f says because he is usually right about a lot of things. there r a lot of other things too. hope this helps, have fun surfing.