Surf School Required
September 12, 2006 6:19 PM Subscribe
I'm in Reno on business this week and want to learn how to surf on the weekend. I have a rental car. Where do I go and who do I talk to?
I'm 35, in good shape and have no experience surfing (some snow skiing, lots of swimming, and a bit of whitewater kayaking), but I'm willing to learn something new. I hear the area around Big Sur has surf schools, but really, I have no idea. Can you recommend a place that rents equipment and gives lessons? Would I need to call ahead or can I just walk-up?
I'm 35, in good shape and have no experience surfing (some snow skiing, lots of swimming, and a bit of whitewater kayaking), but I'm willing to learn something new. I hear the area around Big Sur has surf schools, but really, I have no idea. Can you recommend a place that rents equipment and gives lessons? Would I need to call ahead or can I just walk-up?
Seconding Santa Cruz. It is worth calling ahead, not least because weather and surf conditions are important factors. You may get away with just walking up but you may not. Calling can't hurt.
posted by unSane at 6:31 PM on September 12, 2006
posted by unSane at 6:31 PM on September 12, 2006
Well as a Santa Cruzan, that's about right. I think the schools you see in this google search are the ones I hear tell of. You'll be at Cowell Beach, which is by the Wharf and Boardwalk, where the territorial surfers don't try to even go anymore. I recommend Olita's on the wharf when you're done for some Cali-Mex style chow and killer mussels.
For the lessons, call ahead fer sure, fer sure, bra. We had our biggest tourist summer ever this year, and we are having our Indian summer now, as usual.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 7:05 PM on September 12, 2006
For the lessons, call ahead fer sure, fer sure, bra. We had our biggest tourist summer ever this year, and we are having our Indian summer now, as usual.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 7:05 PM on September 12, 2006
If you mean Reno, Nevada then Bolinas/ Stinson in Marin County is a much shorter drive and a good beginner spot.
posted by fshgrl at 7:40 PM on September 12, 2006
posted by fshgrl at 7:40 PM on September 12, 2006
Santa Cruz is well set up for beginning. I don't know about Stinson/Bolinas classes, but here (another Cruzan myself - hi Ambrosia) Cowell's beach is excellent for learning from, and you can rent a wetsuit and all that with no difficulty. Also, plenty of places to stay - the Coast Santa Cruz is right on Cowell's beach. Have fun!
posted by anadem at 8:08 PM on September 12, 2006
posted by anadem at 8:08 PM on September 12, 2006
Just be aware of the time that it takes to get to & from Reno from Santa Cruz. With all of the construction and traffic, you might not make it. It's taken me 9 hours to drive from Reno to Santa Clara before simply because of the traffic.
Keep that in mind.
posted by drstein at 8:40 PM on September 12, 2006
Keep that in mind.
posted by drstein at 8:40 PM on September 12, 2006
You got some driving to do, hodad! But more power to ya. Check to make sure you can take your rental car out of Nevada -- many companies won't let you. (If you haven't rented the car yet, you may be able to pay extra for the privilege.)
posted by turducken at 11:27 PM on September 12, 2006
posted by turducken at 11:27 PM on September 12, 2006
Response by poster: Sadly, I came down with a cold and bailed on the whole adventure, but thanks for the tips--I'll keep them in mind in the future!
posted by cardboard at 7:50 AM on September 18, 2006
posted by cardboard at 7:50 AM on September 18, 2006
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posted by doctor_negative at 6:26 PM on September 12, 2006