Surfing in the SF Bay Area

July 14, 2017 12:45 PM

I took some surf lessons in India and Japan and want to make some surfing friends. I'm still a beginner and would like to keep expenses down. How / when should I get more practice and make more friends? I live in Oakland, CA.
posted by jander03 to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

I understand Cowell's in Santa Cruz and Linda Mar in Pacifica to be the beginner spots in the Bay Area. A semi-beginner friend of mine also did a lot in Bolinas.

Don't try Ocean Beach until you're ready.
posted by vunder at 1:06 PM on July 14, 2017 [1 favorite]

vunder hit all the highlights first try. Seconding avoiding Ocean Beach for a fair bit. When you say surf lessons, are you talking about one-day lessons where an instructor gives you a quick lesson on how to pop up, and then pushes you into waves, or longer lessons focused on the fundamentals? If the former, seeking out the latter may be a good idea if organized instruction is your thing, but it isn't mandatory. Then look to craigslist for a used board (longer than you think you need, and a soft top isn't a bad way to start) and a wetsuit. The next step involves a lot of trying to surf and sucking. It's easier if you can hook up with friends or a group to show you the way a bit, but if you understand the rules of the lineup and catching waves you can go at it yourself on a beginner-friendly break.
posted by craven_morhead at 1:20 PM on July 14, 2017

From Oakland, windsurfing in Alameda or Berkeley might be much convenient, so you get out more often and get skills faster. Skills are somewhat transferable, and the sports aren't mutually exclusive.
posted by at at 2:50 PM on July 14, 2017

Dillon Beach is another good beginner spot.
posted by fshgrl at 3:56 PM on July 14, 2017 [1 favorite]

Here are some more suggestions.. I agree that Cowell's is the best choice, but it's far away from Oakland.
posted by blob at 8:45 PM on July 14, 2017

What fshgrl said. I used to live there and there were almost always surfers, including many noobs. The beach is a mile long and the waves are... pretty okay most of the time.
posted by Lynsey at 10:28 PM on July 14, 2017