Best tips / advice from way back when you were a kook ??

[Grrr]

You old hands - would you be so kind as to kick in the top 3 or 4 things you learned or were told, during your first couple months - that all kooks need to know?
Training / conditioning, technique, posture / position, mental prep, "etiquette", wave "reading". gear, ??
(Okay, maybe five things...)

Much appreciated . . .

[RJD]

knee pads go on the front, zip at the back.

[O_Danny_Boy]

never pay for porn

[Hang11]

Masturbation on public transport is unacceptable

Never nail your mate's mother

You can eat a pie when paddling out

[niallhills]

never pay for porn-legend lol


eh, paddle fast into the wave, very fast

stand up BEFORE you drop in, not when you've reached the bottom, as soon as you feel urself bein pulled by the wave

thats two main ones, n jus practise like mad!

[Bewilderbeast]

Just get out there as much as you can and it'll all come together with time!

If you can't get in the water as much as you would like, spend the time working on your fitness! There is nothing quite so frustrating as being out on a good day and you're shoulders playing out on you!

Oh, and keep the stoke!!

[kitesurfer]

When you think you've paddled hard enough and think you've caught the wave, paddle some more. So often you think you've caught it when you haven't!

KS

Oh and don't froget to take your sunnies off before you get into the water!

[rich r]

Oh and don't froget to take your sunnies off before you get into the water!

I still do that. Thank goodness for pockets in board shorts.

If you're pearling, move back on your board. If you can't catch anything and your nose is a foot out of the water, move forward.

[boco rio]

Your a FL guy, so be sure NOT to wear a wetsuit until you see the locals wearing theirs.

[northswell]

On long sessions don't forget your pack up, Prawn/Tuna sandwiches are normally best






Oh and don't drop in, and don't flap around infront of the take off zone on smaller days.

[isaluteyou]

Best advice i received was

"watch it, think it, do it" - Applies to more than just surfing

[Otter]

Keep an eye peeled for sharks.

When a shark gets close, you don't have to be the fastest paddler, just don't be the slowest.

If a shark gets really close, kiss your ass good bye.

[Surfing-Innovation]

Above anything else - don't be a prick in the water!!

From my experience, as long you're seen to be following etiquette to the best of your ability, then there'll be always people around in the line up willing to offer advice, call you onto waves and help your surfing progress.

If you act like a prat, then you'll get no help off anyone..........

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

Keep an eye peeled for sharks.

When a shark gets close, you don't have to be the fastest paddler, just don't be the slowest.

If a shark gets really close, kiss your ass good bye.

personally I like to look for sharks to start some xxxxx with them..

i will be underwater just waiting... then when i see one.. i say hey. you.. c'mon. ya you. no the other shark. yes you! lets do this.

[Otter]

You anywhere near Monterey? I had just read about the guy and that was what prompted the post. 40 years surfing, never seen a shark that could hurt you...

[Sar]

dont forget! it's supossed to be fun

put plastic bags over your feet to help slide the wetsuit on easier

the best surfer in the world is the one having the most fun

[temptations_wings]

You anywhere near Monterey? I had just read about the guy and that was what prompted the post. 40 years surfing, never seen a shark that could hurt you...

The beach where that happend is geographically closest to me. I was in a shop today getting a wetsuit fixed and one of the guys in there was saying he was in the water earlier that morning. Crazy stuff.... at least the line-up will be less crowded. Sucks the poor guy got mauled...

[Otter]

Yup, I would think a 20' GW could make short work of a man in the water. That is one lucky dude, just think of the bragging rights he now has, something not many other people can say happened to them...

[dondiemand]

"if in doubt, don't go out"

[Sar]

decide upon wearing a wetsuit by taking the water temps into consideration, not the season.

dont eat spicy food (indian or mexican etc) the night before a days surf