Your Surfing Questions Answered
October 10, 2022
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Surfing is one of the most liberating sports in the world. It’s just you, your board, the waves and the sky! It’s hard work, but the payoff is extraordinary and the feeling you get when you’re riding a wave is like no other.
At BookSurfCamps, we get a lot of questions about surf camps, surfing lessons and surfing in general. We know a thing or two about the sport, so we thought we would answer six of the most common questions that people who want to try it out or improve their surfing skills often ask.
How to Choose the Right Surfboard?
This is one of the most frequent questions that we get. And while the answer depends on what type of surfing you’d like to do, there are certain recommendations that are generally valid. One of the best surfboards for beginners is a soft top funboard or a soft top longboard. You need to keep in mind that the longer and the wider a board is, the quicker you’ll be able to stand up and surf. It also depends on your height and weight, as a large man would require a sturdier board, than a slim woman. Our recommendation is to find a surf shop and talk to the people there. Aside from knowing all the surfboards out there, they are very good at recommending one. Don’t buy your first surfboard online without a proper chat with someone who knows their boards.
How Long Will It Take for Me to Learn How to Surf?
Out of all the questions we get, this is the hardest to answer. It’s like asking how much a car costs! There are so many variables out there that is hard to offer a straight up answer. Still, we’re going to try to do it. If you get an appropriate surfboard for beginners and you’re in decent shape, then you could very well stand up on your board in white water on your first surf session. You won’t be getting to the green water anytime soon, but if you manage to stand up, you’re on the right path. Also, the key is to get a few private surf lessons, and then to surf as much as possible. If you do that, you could be surfing and even get barreled in as early as six months and be good at surfing in two years! But don’t forget, you need to be consistent and you need to practice!
Surf Lessons or Surf Camps?
According to Statistic Brain, there are 1,736,000 surfers in the United States of America and 23 million surfers worldwide. There are thousands of surf schools ready to teach you how to surf, but which one should you choose? Should you take surf lessons or go on a surf camp? Well, the answer is that if you’re serious about learning how to surf, you should do both. A few lessons for a good surf school is the best investment you could make in your surfing skills. It will give you a basis that will prove invaluable in the end. And a surf camp is something that, we believe, any surfer can benefit from. It offers not just surf lessons, but a chance to be a part of a community, to bond with others and that will help keep the passion for surfing alive. That will solidify all your surfing skills and knowledge. So, book a surf camp whenever you feel the need to be around other people, to learn new things about surfing and to take a break from everything.
I’m Afraid of Sharks! Are They a Real Danger?
Sharks are scary and deadly, which makes them absolutely frightening, but shark attacks are rarer than you might think. According to the Global Shark Attack File, a file where all shark attacks are recorded, since 2010 there have been 23 fatal shark attacks on people who were surfing, body boarding and other activities that fall in the surfing area. How many non-fatal attacks, you may ask? Well, there have been 274 attacks around the world that did not result in a fatality – this includes being knocked off a board, minor or major injuries. In fact, the number one cause of death among surfers is actually drowning!
So, to answer the question, sharks do pose a real danger to surfers, but so do airplanes, cars and other sports. Don’t let your fear of sharks get in the way of learning how to surf and enjoying spending time on your board.
What are the Best Surfing Spots in the World?
There are awesome surfing spots all over the world! Surfing in Asia and Oceania will always be a pleasure, with awesome surf destinations such as Bali and Thailand. We’ve also written an article about the 15 best surf towns in the U.S.A., so if you like North America or plan to visit, do check it out!
As for the old continent, it’s hard to pick the best surf spot in Europe, because there isn’t just one type of surfing. For big wave surfers, surfing in Portugal is heaven. A place like Nazare, where Garrett McNamara surfed the world’s biggest wave, will most likely be adored by those who live to surf high waves. La Gravière is the best surf beach in France, while Bundoran beach is the perfect surf spot in Ireland.
But the great news is that you don’t need to go to any of those places. If you want to learn to surf, you can do your surf training pretty much anywhere there are decent waves!
What Advice Do You Have for Beginner Surfers?
There is no tip or trick that will make the journey into learning how to surf easier. The most important thing is to enjoy what you’re doing. Because you’re going to get wiped out a lot and you’re going to swallow plenty of salt water. If you’re not serious about wanting to learn how to surf, you’ll end up quitting.
Also, the best place to learn to surf is the closest to you! All you need is a place with waves, a board and perseverance. Try to get out there at least twice or thrice a week, if not daily and learn to duck dive, because that will save you from swallowing a gallon of water. Once you’re at the beach, don’t analyze the waves, don’t wait for a great one, just go in and catch as many waves as you can, it’s the only way to learn! Just like with any other sport, the more you practice, the better you are at it, and surfing makes no exception.
So, you want to learn how to surf and do some surf travel? Check out our extensive offer and book the surf camp of your dreams!