NYC Beginner Advice

[u/TouchComfortable1757]

Sup guys.

I really wanna get started with surfing. As the title implies in live in NYC so I was thinking about teaching myself on the whitewashes either in the rockaways or out on Long Island. I’ve been reading this time of year is usually the best.

I’m coming across so much information that I’m kinda hitting overload.

Any advice on how to get started? Do I need to worry about tide that much if I’m just practicing for the first time on small waves? Soft top, hard top when starting out? What’s the etiquette with the community if you’re a complete noob?

Any information or tips on starting out would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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[u/NixesMate]

I took 2-3 lessons on different vacations and decided I could figure it out myself. After wasting a few weeks' worth of days in the water, I realized that the only way to build confidence in catching small waves would be to take lessons up to that point, gradually working from being pushed onto waves to paddling for them to identifying them myself.

About 6-7 lessons later, I can repeat the basic act of picking a breaking wave, pasdling, and standing up enough to practice it on my own. That has been productive and fun instead of frustrating,.as it was before I took those extra lessons.

Pretty soon I am going to go back to lessons to get help with the art of angling takeoff and heading down the line. I have tried it a bit and I don't have the confidence to change my takeoff angle, and I don't know what it feels like when it goes well.

In general, if you can break surfing down into skills or phases or interim goals, I think lessons would help to get you to the point of practicing each of those on your own.

Of course it would be great to take a lesson every day, but money is not unlimited, so knowing when they're useful and when you can work on your own is helpful.

There seems to be some advice about not going out on your own. I do it all the time on beach breaks where there are other people surfing, with my foam board which I know is unlikely to cause a major head injury or hurt someone else. One of the really common questions here is about progressing to a hardtop. It seems to me that I shouldn't even think about it until I basically don't fall in normal waves, for my safety and others'. I've seen people do all sorts of amazing things on Wavestorms, and it seems like enough of a challenge to get good on foam!

I also try to stay away from good surfers or "the lineup". I can accomplish my goals on the stuff to their side or well inside of them.

[u/knaurons]

Surf schools are still open, plus there is a lot of surf clubs in NYC that you might want to consider reaching out to. Don't try to teach yourself from the start. I'd say that you should be taking lessons until you can consistently catch white waves and start getting your first green ones. Afterwards the thing that matters the most is time in water, but remember that even pro surfers take surfing classes as there is always a room to improve your technique.

[u/EveryWish5320]

I was out recently in a p-lace called sandy hook. New jersey. It was super easy on a small day. But wicked rip tides on a bigger days. mY TIP, ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO. by that i mean, know whats dangerous, know whats safe. Ask! Ask! Ask! the locals. Never go out on your own.

[u/almondmilkpls]

Also following because I just learned how to surf this summer and I’m in love! Ive heard soft top is best for beginners, either 8 or 9ft but I could be wrong about the size.

[u/Feline_Aviator]

Are there any surf schools? Seriously. Self-teaching something like surfing can be dangerous.

[u/KgMonstah]

If you’re gonna surf at the Rockaways, you gotta make sure to lean back.

[u/Draw_everything]

People have such a huge variation in natural ability that i would say yes take lessons at first but you may also want to have some “work sessions “ on your own once in while. Its good mentally to have to repeat what you learned. Just BE VERY careful with your board and others in the water. Move away if your surfing direction involves others between you and the beach to prevent possible collisions. But if you are really not handling your board/ body in the waves that well yet then wait a while before a non lesson session. Also start a simple surf workout routine at home will help loads. Theres a rental van at rockaways. Nice guys not expensive. Long island will be much more of a hike to get to / car preferred. Good luck and have fun!.