I was asked about learning to ride a surfboard. I suggested learning to SUP instead because it would be easier to learn, but I have never ridden a surfboard so I was just guessing. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

The person involved is a male, 35 years old, would proably be a weekend surfer due to work and family commitments, is trying to get fit, wants his children to surf, would be surfing on Sydney's northern beaches (good surf but crowded).

Steve

Hi SF, I'd windsurfed for years in waves and had an 8' mal but could never really get motivated to surf on the beach break we have. SUP has completely changed that, really learning to surf (as much as you can when you start at 50!) and feeling quite comfortable in over head high faces. Guess I was used to getting rinsed in bigger waves in WA having windsurfed there for ages but SUP is so different to wavesailing.
He sounds like a perfect candidate for something like an 11'2" Starboard or equivalent.
I don't know anything about conditions on the beaches you are talking about though.

It would probably be easiere to learn to SUP than surf but if your not careful it would also be easier to turn into another peice flotsam in the lineup with no idea of edeiquette water saftey etc........get alot of lessons go where theres no crowds and build you ocean knowledge before tackling any crowded lineups would be my advice

Lessons would be a good start and go to any of the demo days to talk to someone in the know and try a range of boards before you buy.

Then find yourself the most uncrowded, flattest bit of water on the beach to practice and learn.

I'd imagine that on the Sydney Northern Beaches this would be pretty hard, but not impossible. Just wait for Tom Carroll and paddle out with him, then none of the locals will give you any stick

Agree totally about the lessons but the great advantage I've found with SUP is that I can get away from the surfers and still get good waves to learn on. Probably one of the good things about a beach break...Even a year or two on I still much prefer to keep away from surfers, cruise over and have a chat - sitting down with them between sets then paddle on to my own space for catching them. Once they realise that you aren't going to pinch their waves some surfers actually revert back to human beings you can talk to!

Do you really think a 35 yo weekend learning surfer is going to want to get into the cut and thrust of the lineup - I do everything in my power to get away from all that crap and SUP is the perfect tool to do that. I think that a KOOK is a KOOK whether on a mal or a SUP and learning surf etiquette is a must either way. Does anyone know of a good book that simply outlines the rules, I've got a few friends learning to surf and SUP, it would be great to have something to recommend.

Fell like you could be describing me!

I'm in the same position, same location and had the same dilemma - with all the work and family commitments I wasn't getting around to learning to surf and then I heard about SUP.

In an hour down at Balmoral with Jason from Balmoral Boards I was loving it and he taught me everything I needed to know to go out in flat water on my own - couldn't recommend these guys more! Now I just go down whenever I get the chance while I save up for a board of my own - it was beautiful down there on the water this morning before work!

As someone who has never surfed before I figured that at least when I finally get on a surf board I'll have leant some skills and being so time poor at the moment while the kids are young this is a great way to be able to go out on the water for just an hour at a time and have a blast without any waiting for waves.

Andy

Thank you for all your helpfull replies. It has given me a few things to think about.

loco4olas said...

Diver said...
Just wait for Tom Carroll and paddle out with him, then none of the locals will give you any stick

Nah-they'll give TC all the stick for dropping in....

Last autumn (08) I was catching a few waves at Isos (popular mal break, south Cottesloe, Perth), trying to be "KOOL" by sitting on the shoulder & only getting the odd wave (I was the only sup-rider out, not many around in Perth last autumn), when I decided to paddle down the beach after one more as the mal-numbers had built from 6-12. Caught a nice little wave (it was only 1-2 ft) & a mal rider dropped in on my inside (often called "snaking", for SF & Stoneaxe). That's cool, I can't cutback, but we can ride it together, they were just fun little waves. End of wave, he tells ME to paddle further down the beach. Bit of verbal jockeying, & I end up saying "mate, would you be mouthing off the way you are if Laird Hamilton, Gerry Lopez or Tom Carroll was out here on a sup?". "I don't care who's riding them.....". Pathetic, the surf was tiny, & lots of the mal-riders were sharing waves.
2 weeks later I'm out at Isos in 1-ft face surf, too small for the mals, & a fellow-supper comes out to join me: TOM CARROLL!!! I said "mate, I wish you had been here 2 weeks ago"

loco4olas said...

Diver said...
Just wait for Tom Carroll and paddle out with him, then none of the locals will give you any stick

Nah-they'll give TC all the stick for dropping in....

Last autumn (08) I was catching a few waves at Isos (popular mal break, south Cottesloe, Perth), trying to be "KOOL" by sitting on the shoulder & only getting the odd wave (I was the only sup-rider out, not many around in Perth last autumn), when I decided to paddle down the beach after one more as the mal-numbers had built from 6-12. Caught a nice little wave (it was only 1-2 ft) & a mal rider dropped in on my inside (often called "snaking", for SF & Stoneaxe). That's cool, I can't cutback, but we can ride it together, they were just fun little waves. End of wave, he tells ME to paddle further down the beach. Bit of verbal jockeying, & I end up saying "mate, would you be mouthing off the way you are if Laird Hamilton, Gerry Lopez or Tom Carroll was out here on a sup?". "I don't care who's riding them.....". Pathetic, the surf was tiny, & lots of the mal-riders were sharing waves.
2 weeks later I'm out at Isos in 1-2 ft faces surf, on my lonesome, no-one else out, too small for the mals, & a fellow-supper comes out to join me: TOM CARROLL!!! I said "mate, I wish you had been here 2 weeks ago"

same **** at noosa,plenty of good surfers getting into sup and knowing the system,its the never surfed before crew that are really causing grief,they just dont know the way it is,never been in the pecking order,learn to flat water first,then find an isolated small break and get someone to teach you.

I never surfed before SUP, well, tried and crashed and burned, got frustrated, and gave up.
Within a month of getting my SUP , guess what, I am learning to surf!
I think it's the way SUP gets rid of the bit between lying on ya belly flapping your wings around, and actually standing on the board surfing.
Paddling into a wave seems so much easier.

I have studied all your replies. It has been very helpful. I am definitely convinced I should try and steer him towards SUP. I have already suggested that he should have a talk with Sam at Wind Surf n Snow.

Steve