Learn surf south Los Angeles
January 2, 2018 9:20 AM Subscribe
Moving to Los Angeles (next to LAX Airport) in 3 weeks.
Moving to Los Angeles (next to LAX Airport) in 3 weeks.
I tried surf a few times but would like to get better -- what are the best beaches nearby to practise?
What are the best times - are the weekends crowded? Is it preferable very early / late during the weekends?
Is there any surf school / instructor nearby that you would recommend?
Which kind of wetsuit/ thickness should I buy?
Is it better to rent a table initially or should I just buy one straight away? New or used?
Thanks very much!
Moving to Los Angeles (next to LAX Airport) in 3 weeks.
I tried surf a few times but would like to get better -- what are the best beaches nearby to practise?
What are the best times - are the weekends crowded? Is it preferable very early / late during the weekends?
Is there any surf school / instructor nearby that you would recommend?
Which kind of wetsuit/ thickness should I buy?
Is it better to rent a table initially or should I just buy one straight away? New or used?
Thanks very much!
Campsurf has lessons at El Porto and it’s an ok beginners beach. Can get big/heavy in winter so check the forecast first. Mornings tend to be better due to winds trending offshore. During the coldest part of the winter most people go to a 4/3 fullsuit, sometimes with booties. Fall/spring usually calls for a 3/2 and in summer you can go with a shorty or just a swimsuit. If you’re going to get just one I’d recommend a quality 3/2 along with booties and maybe a hood as the most versatile. Get a Costco Wavestorm for your first board.
posted by doctord at 10:27 AM on January 2, 2018
posted by doctord at 10:27 AM on January 2, 2018
Response by poster: Thanks for the info!
A friend mentioned that if I had already a bit of experience (I did surfing like 5-6 days) - it was probably a good idea to get a "hybrid" board / evolutiva or a Mini-Malibu?
Also if they are smaller, it might be better for transportation (how do you guys bring surf tables to the beach? does it fit in the trunk diagonally, with the rear seats folded of a mid-size car?)
Is there any used surf boards place to buy from?
Thanks!
posted by raiguabe at 2:54 AM on January 4, 2018
A friend mentioned that if I had already a bit of experience (I did surfing like 5-6 days) - it was probably a good idea to get a "hybrid" board / evolutiva or a Mini-Malibu?
Also if they are smaller, it might be better for transportation (how do you guys bring surf tables to the beach? does it fit in the trunk diagonally, with the rear seats folded of a mid-size car?)
Is there any used surf boards place to buy from?
Thanks!
posted by raiguabe at 2:54 AM on January 4, 2018
Yeah, once you get here you can find used surfboards all over - Play it Again Sports is a store that has all sorts of used sporting goods; Goodwill or other thrift/charity stores; surf shops; Craigslist.
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:34 AM on January 4, 2018
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:34 AM on January 4, 2018
Here's why I recommend the Wavestorm:
1) Cheap. A decent used board on Craigslist is probably going to be $200 or more while the Wavestorm is $99.
2) Appropriate. As a beginner you'll have a hard time evaluating whether a used board is suitable for you.
3) New. As a beginner you'll have a hard time evaluating the condition of a used board. Especially if you're trying to go cheap.
4) Durable. A fiberglass board is going to ding easily. A Wavestorm will take plenty of abuse, and if you really smash it up you can probably return it to Costco for a new one.
5) Safer for you. Soft surface instead of hard. Fins that won't cut you.
6) Safer for others around you. See above.
7) Useful. Even after you move up to another board, it's still fun for small summer days or if you want to introduce a friend.
A Costco Wavestorm is 8' long. You'll have to measure and see how to make it fit in your vehicle. If it doesn't fit, then get some soft racks or rig up some way to strap it on your car. Even if you get a hard board, going shorter than 8' is just going to slow down the learning process. 5-6 days is nothing in terms of learning how to surf. Your going to need at least 100 hours in the water to make real progress. (Yeah, I know there's always the guy that started on a short board and was shredding after a week. Most of us are not that guy.)
posted by doctord at 11:00 AM on January 5, 2018
1) Cheap. A decent used board on Craigslist is probably going to be $200 or more while the Wavestorm is $99.
2) Appropriate. As a beginner you'll have a hard time evaluating whether a used board is suitable for you.
3) New. As a beginner you'll have a hard time evaluating the condition of a used board. Especially if you're trying to go cheap.
4) Durable. A fiberglass board is going to ding easily. A Wavestorm will take plenty of abuse, and if you really smash it up you can probably return it to Costco for a new one.
5) Safer for you. Soft surface instead of hard. Fins that won't cut you.
6) Safer for others around you. See above.
7) Useful. Even after you move up to another board, it's still fun for small summer days or if you want to introduce a friend.
A Costco Wavestorm is 8' long. You'll have to measure and see how to make it fit in your vehicle. If it doesn't fit, then get some soft racks or rig up some way to strap it on your car. Even if you get a hard board, going shorter than 8' is just going to slow down the learning process. 5-6 days is nothing in terms of learning how to surf. Your going to need at least 100 hours in the water to make real progress. (Yeah, I know there's always the guy that started on a short board and was shredding after a week. Most of us are not that guy.)
posted by doctord at 11:00 AM on January 5, 2018
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I don't know much about actually surfing, but lessons I have done (I didn't like it, it turned out). There are several who teach out of Santa Monica Beach, where the waves are good for beginners. Just google "surfing lessons Santa Monica" and you should find them. I've seen them with wetsuits available for borrow/rent too, which is what I'd do until you see what kind you might want. I think a 3mm full or shorty is probably what most surfers use though. Make sure you get a surfing suit not a scuba suit though - I think the cut is different.
Rent the board initially - it came with the lessons I took - they will get you surfing on a huge big foam board, and then you will graduate to regular fiberglass and/or a short board. But you want the easy board to help learn the proper technique.
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:19 AM on January 2, 2018