I've wanted to try it for a while now, and my dad has booked a lesson for me.
I am a snowboarder, and it took me about a day and a half to learn bog standard basics on that, and l understand that surfing is harder?
I'd just like to know how long it took other so l can work out roughly how much money l need to save for lessons if l enjoy it (:
thanks!

After one or two lessons learning the basics, you should be able to pick it up on your own. The rest is up to you; lots of time in the water practicing and talking with other surfers. But be patient with yourself, it takes a while to get pretty good.

l used to give lessons out of the surf shop l worked at. it usually took 2 good lessons to get the VERY basics down. pretty much, like surfammo says, the rest is up to you.
remember this though. if you get frustrated with it at first, you HAVE to give it a chance.

well after a couple of lessons, l am sure you get the basics after a couple of lessons.

but to be honest, l do not think lessons are required. If you have enough potential, then l am sure you'd be able to pick up this sport in about a week (if you surf everyday), without lessons.

If u r fairly athletic & normally coordinated, u can get the bare minimum of basics down in a couple lessons. However, u have to remember that surfing is an ocean sport. before u decide to surf, decide to know & understand the ocean. Learn to be at home with its currents, rips, undertows & sometimes BIG waves. The original surfers were watermen (and women, both men & women surfed, but certain waves were reserved for royalty). l do not just mean being good at swimming in a pool, the ocean can be very unforgiving. l have seen lots of really good pool swimmers have to get rescued. You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up do not want to drown you), how to paddle & take off on a wave, & how to ride a wave.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z2snsw0A_cM

Remember, u do not have to paddle up the mountain to go snowboarding. When u fall off a snowboard, u do not have to swim or deal with big waves crashing down on you. So, u not only have to have a fair grasp on the basics of surfing, but u have to be good enough in the ocean not to be a danger to yourself or other surfers.

l have been surfing for 42 years. In the old days, there was no such thing as 'lessons', but even with help from my pals, it took me almost all summer to get 'decent' & l would not say that l reached the 'good' level until my second summer.

Depends on what you mean by basics. If you have a big enough board, then it should not take long (maybe a couple attempts) for you to stand up on white wash. But it takes a lot more practice for you to go beyond just riding the white wash straight to shore. Take one or two lessons to get the basics down in your head, and then rent/buy a longboard and practice practice practice. Good luck!

You do not need to spend $$ to learn how to surf. $$ for equipment, yes. Buy some used gear, once you get better and perfect your style you can spend some more $$ on better gear more suited to you.

Learning means going out..a lot. You should go out as many times a week as possible. Take a pummeling just like everyone else has, a lot. And enjoy that pummeling. Soon there will be less pummeling and more surfing. Perseverance. Good luck and enjoy!

Short answer? It takes way longer than you think. Do not sweat saving up for lessons if you're already signed up for one (should be all you need to teach the the basics). Save up for a board and put in your time in the water. Make friends with some surfers so you have someone to help push you to improve.

You will only need a few lessons after that it is just trial and error once you learn the basics.

PS. Make sure you have fun.

The Surfboard Man
http://thesurfboardman.com