SurfingNewbieFilter: Where/how should I spend one week learning to surf somewhere on the East (US) coast?
May 9, 2010 9:53 AM Subscribe
Surfing Newb Filter: I want to spend a week learning to surf, sometime this month, somewhere on the US East Coast. Where/How?
About me:
-excellent swimmer (swam competitively in HS, used to be a lifeguard, have done scuba diving and boogie boarding, am comfortable swimming in ocean waves)
-OK physical condition (23, exercise regularly, but only swim sometimes now)
More detail:
I'm moving myself from TX to Boston in a week, have some extra time to make the trip, and have wanted to try surfing for a long time. I want to spend about a week somewhere on the East Coast. Ideally, I would drive to a hotel/campground within walking distance of water and surf shops, rent equipment for a week (board and possibly wetsuit), take a beginner's class the first day, and go out twice a day for a week after that. I read this post on surf etiquette and noob advice.
My questions:
-Where should I go? What's a good place to surf this time of year? Where should I stay? Where should I get equipment?
-Is it reasonable to plan on ~6hrs/day in the water for a week? Anything I should do to stay safe for this long in the ocean? I expect some soreness and will wear lots of sunscreen.
-What should I expect to spend? I expect a few hundred $$ for equipment+lesson, plus whatever a 3-star hotel costs online.
-Should I be worried about someone breaking into my (old) car and stealing all my possessions? I won't leave valuables in sight but I'll clearly have boxes and stuff piled in the backseat and hidden under a blanket.
-If this plan seems ill-conceived, what's something more awesome I could do instead?
About me:
-excellent swimmer (swam competitively in HS, used to be a lifeguard, have done scuba diving and boogie boarding, am comfortable swimming in ocean waves)
-OK physical condition (23, exercise regularly, but only swim sometimes now)
More detail:
I'm moving myself from TX to Boston in a week, have some extra time to make the trip, and have wanted to try surfing for a long time. I want to spend about a week somewhere on the East Coast. Ideally, I would drive to a hotel/campground within walking distance of water and surf shops, rent equipment for a week (board and possibly wetsuit), take a beginner's class the first day, and go out twice a day for a week after that. I read this post on surf etiquette and noob advice.
My questions:
-Where should I go? What's a good place to surf this time of year? Where should I stay? Where should I get equipment?
-Is it reasonable to plan on ~6hrs/day in the water for a week? Anything I should do to stay safe for this long in the ocean? I expect some soreness and will wear lots of sunscreen.
-What should I expect to spend? I expect a few hundred $$ for equipment+lesson, plus whatever a 3-star hotel costs online.
-Should I be worried about someone breaking into my (old) car and stealing all my possessions? I won't leave valuables in sight but I'll clearly have boxes and stuff piled in the backseat and hidden under a blanket.
-If this plan seems ill-conceived, what's something more awesome I could do instead?
I've never (board) surfed on the East Coast, but I can tell you that even in August, the water can be pretty cold from the Mid-Atlantic north. At this time of year, you'll almost certainly need a wetsuit (which at least means you won't need much sunscreen). Florida won't be as cold.
posted by rtha at 11:06 AM on May 9, 2010
posted by rtha at 11:06 AM on May 9, 2010
The Surf Station in St. Augustine, Florida offers a variety of lesson plans and cheap board rentals. The instructors are all very patient and nice, the waves will be very manageable, the water temp is nice and warm this time of year (it's dipped recently, but it'll be back up near or above 80 soon), there's a good chance you'll see dolphins while you're out, and it's a beautiful city to spend a week in.
posted by saladin at 12:40 PM on May 9, 2010
posted by saladin at 12:40 PM on May 9, 2010
Your biggest struggle will be finding a place with surf every day. The east coast is known for it's flat spells. I would suggest you look into somewhere on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It juts out there and tends to pick up a lot of swell. You can still get a hotel for pretty cheap and stay right on the beach. As for boards, lessons, wetsuit? Not so sure. I know there are shops down there but not sure if they do surf camps in May.
It would certainly be warmer in Florida but surf may be questionable.
posted by WickedPissah at 1:14 PM on May 9, 2010
It would certainly be warmer in Florida but surf may be questionable.
posted by WickedPissah at 1:14 PM on May 9, 2010
Surfing is very physically demanding and works muscles people don't often use even in other sports, so I think 6 hr/day seems overly ambitious. Plus, the water will be cold and just having your skin wet for that long can be uncomfortable. Maybe if you break it up, but the surf has usually died down by midday. I agree with WickedPissah that the Outer Banks would be the best place for this.
Sounds like what you want is not just a one-shot surf lesson but a surf camp- googling for that will get you all-inclusive deals that come with the lesson, board rental, and wetsuit rental.
I have not been there but this place looks like they offer a good 3 day camp- and then when you are done with it, you could just rent the equipment and go on your own.
Another good part of being in a surf camp is that you will be in a controlled spot and won't have to compete with other surfers for waves (you might run into someone or otherwise mess up, or just not be able to get any waves before the more experienced surfers take them).
To prepare, do a lot of push ups and burpees as was mentioned before, and a ton of crunches.
posted by rmless at 9:27 PM on May 9, 2010
Sounds like what you want is not just a one-shot surf lesson but a surf camp- googling for that will get you all-inclusive deals that come with the lesson, board rental, and wetsuit rental.
I have not been there but this place looks like they offer a good 3 day camp- and then when you are done with it, you could just rent the equipment and go on your own.
Another good part of being in a surf camp is that you will be in a controlled spot and won't have to compete with other surfers for waves (you might run into someone or otherwise mess up, or just not be able to get any waves before the more experienced surfers take them).
To prepare, do a lot of push ups and burpees as was mentioned before, and a ton of crunches.
posted by rmless at 9:27 PM on May 9, 2010
Folly Beach just outside of Charleston, SC has a whole bunch of surfers out there pretty much year round. There are also several surfing schools in the area that can probably help you get started. The water is chilly right now, but not frigid, and the weather is already up in the 80s-90s and has been beautiful lately. Plus you're just outside a great city if you have any extra energy at night to go exploring. Folly Beach also has several little restaurants and bars just off the water, although there are only a few hotels.
posted by This Guy at 6:22 AM on May 13, 2010
posted by This Guy at 6:22 AM on May 13, 2010
Response by poster: I ended up doing this trip, staying near Kitty Hawk, NC, and it was great! Thanks for the advice. I surfed for three days (only a few hours each day). Late May was a good time to go-- the weather was good but there were not too many other tourists.
posted by sninctown at 9:23 AM on May 25, 2010
posted by sninctown at 9:23 AM on May 25, 2010
« Older How to Finance a Personal Trip to Israel?t | Debt collector asking for Social Security card Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
I suggest you practice the getting up motion before going on the trip.
Do as many Push-ups / burpee's that are humanly possible, this should get you ready for the motion of getting up while surfing.
posted by MechEng at 10:37 AM on May 9, 2010