Where should I go for surfing lessons in Newport Beach, CA?

March 23, 2008 8:32 PM

Where's the best place to learn how to surf near Newport Beach, CA?

Are there any good surf schools in Newport? I'll have a car and could go someplace nearby (15 - 20 minutes away) if it's a better area or has better schools/lessons. Also, I snowboard. Will that make surfing easier to pickup?

posted by tenaciousd to sports, hobbies, & recreation (5 comments total)

Can't help you with the surf school, but I doubt the snowboarding skills will translate well to the surf. I think its somewhat helpful in the other direction, but understanding the snow and slopes are much easier - they are far more consistent. Each and every wave is a unique challenge. But having said that, getting the basics of surfing down isn't all that hard at all. A decent instructor should have you up and riding in no time! Good luck!
posted by blaneyphoto at 8:47 PM on March 23, 2008

Become a strong swimmer. That will make the biggest difference above anything else you do. It'll make you safer, smarter*, more confident, and you'll have more opportunities to ride waves because you won't miss as many due to being unable to catch them. That said, snowboarding will help a little teeny bit because you'll know which foot to put forward and will be comfortable with one leg in front of the other.

*Overall intelligence improvement correlated with swimming has not been verified. Swimming skill will help you make quicker, more-informed choices out there in the water however. (for ex., this will pay off when you can read the currents and rips based on tactile sensations. You will intuitively know how to navigate them and get out of danger and to the sweet spots. Others may struggle.)
posted by iamkimiam at 12:47 AM on March 24, 2008

Have you considered heading up to Huntington Beach? It's only about 20 minutes away, seem to have a number of surf schools, and they're not called Surf City for nothing!
posted by platinum at 1:21 AM on March 24, 2008

2nding the 'become a good swimmer' advice. I moved here to Florida from Seattle where I was an avid snowboarder. All that time getting my jib in doesn't count for anything in the water, really, as liquid water tends to move.

Swimming has helped. So has starting with a larger board.
posted by Pecinpah at 8:44 AM on March 24, 2008

There's nothing wrong with learning to surf in Newport, but the waves tend to be a little be steeper and less forgiving than some of the HB spots.

Bolsa Chica is probably the best place to learn - waves wise. It's a slower break with mushier waves, which means that you will have more time to stand up and wont get pitched forward as easily.

Swimming helps, especially in the waves and doing a lot of body surfing. If you're not real familiar with how waves break and where you want to be to catch the wave, this can help.

Surf schools might help, but I know a ton of surfers and not one of them learned by going to surf school. I suspect that surf schools are more for people who just want to try out surfing.

The number one best way is practice practice. Don't be afraid to look dorky, every single guy (or girl) out there was a learner one day.
posted by jonah at 7:50 PM on March 24, 2008