Should I even attempt to learn?

[cjwillwin]

So I grew up in San Francisco and always felt pathetic that I never learned or even attempted but the waters cold and the thought of jaws kept me out of the water.

Now I'm going on a trip to San Diego and me and my buddy are taking about taking surfing lessons.

My two major concerns (besides a shark ripping me limb from limb) are...

I'm 6'4" 260 pounds, they say everything is included but do wetsuits really come that big?

The bigger concern is fitness level. I'm not wanting to do this if it's going to be embarrassing and not fun due to how out of shape I am.

I'm a strong swimmer and still feel completely comfortable in the water but I'm not flexible, drinking and smoking have ruined my cardio. Went from running 10.5 miles to only being able to do 2 miles now.

I can still crack out some burpees but not like I used to.

Given what I just said am I simply too out of shape? I've quit smoking for about a month now and started running again but I only have a month til the trip and don't think it'll make a drastic change in fitness level.

Should I wait til I can get myself in better shape.

[drowningbitbybit]

Just get out there. Get a board... a BIG board... and get out there.

Everyone is hopeless when they first try, and noone is looking at you – they're all too worried about what they look like, so don't worry about that.

Plenty of big dudes surf* so, once again, just get out there




* Somebody find that picture

[jaffa1949]

FIXED and done better a link to a heavyweight's video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrf93aLQXBE ( please embed this video)
For Cjwillwin, get fit you'll enjoy your surfing more and keep your life for longer.

[tonylamont]

The bigger concern is fitness level. I'm not wanting to do this if it's going to be embarrassing and not fun due to how out of shape I am.

Everyone (and I mean everyone) flails about as a beginner, regardless of fitness level. Surfing involves very specific skills that only surfing will teach you. You have to humble yourself and accept that you are going to be totally incompetent for a while. There is no shame in this - just stay out of the way of other, more experienced surfers so you are not ruining their waves or posing a safety risk.

The key to becoming a competent surfer is wanting it enough to struggle through this period of incompetence until you start getting a few good waves and are hooked.

[oldmansurfer]

we all were newbs at one point. Big guy with little cardio? Then big board should work good. I have a friend who surfs and he is older and more out of shape than me (I am 61) and he does well on his approximately 10.5 to 11 foot board.

[dtc]

If you can run 2 miles and swim say 500m you are probably fitter than the majority of surfers anyway....

As to wetsuits, yes they make them big enough. They stretch a lot, for a start; but an XXL or maybe even an XL should fit

Your only limitation will be that you will need to pay extra attention to board size, as you will need a large board. But the lesson guys can take care of that

BTW, your first lesson you will be exhausted after an hour and feel really stiff and sore the next day. Everyone feels like this, whether Olympic athlete or armchair specialist. But happy sore

[pacificvibes]

yes, if you want to learn to surf, do it!

i am also in the SF bay area. i started at the beginning of this year and i go out 1-2x per week. you don't have to go to san diego to learn, if you want. i am a 31 year old woman, short and wide, not an athlete and never been. i can't do much in the water but i have a lot of fun trying! just understand it is something that takes a lot of time and practice and dedication to do well.

if you just want to surf for a day or two, i'm sure a typical surf school has big boards and will push you in the whitewater and you can stand and have some fun with your friends. and yes, everyone looks silly while they learn. if you are serious about following that up, there are places up here to do that. don't worry about sharks, they don't worry about us. the water up here is cold but a wetsuit and our natural insulation is fine. male wetsuits do come up to XXXL and something will definitely fit you. if you would like some local encouragement, PM me and i'm happy to give more specific info or even help you get into the water if you want a preview.

[Surftone]

No, get yourself in shape first. otherwise youll get frustrated and give up. Surfing requires a commitment to get good. I tell my students and friends it's a 2 year commitment. It's not a sport you can do part time. But! it is the most fun you'll ever have. There are several things that go on while surfing, the ocean, which can be unpredictable, other surfers, who will be inconsiderate, Cold water that can cause stress.There are actually several physical processes that happen at the same time that require different strengths. Fatigue can set in quickly and put a stop to all the fun. the 2 most important things i recommend up front before you ever step foot in the water. Push ups, pull ups and wind sprints to build stamina. I also recommend purchasing a goof board for balance. Hope this helps.

[waikikikichan]

You don't need to get yourself in shape first. You need to just go and take a surf lesson. It doesn't matter if you're a triathlete, Yoga instructor, or Olympic class swimmer. The ocean doesn't care. If your fight mother nature, she'll slap you down. If you learn the ocean and work with it , she'll reward you. You need to go in with a open mind and LISTEN to your instructor. Know that 40 minutes into the lesson your neck will hurt, your arms will be like rubber, your eyes will be burning........... But you'll have the biggest smile on your face.

[Jester]

Dude you're ready!! Heck I def don't think I could run two miles and you're confident in the water which is more than most starting out! Just get in there and have fun!! You won't lose the stoke by getting tired, it'll actually just drive you to go out again and again. Best laugh ever, you're not training for the Olympics, you're going to enjoy yourself being fitter helps but that's gonna come without you even noticing it, don't hold yourself back from having a great time until you're 'ready' just go man, just go!!

[billie_morini]

Yes, do it!

[dtc]

Yes, do it!

and then come back and tell us how you went! (honestly do this - its always interesting and useful to hear how people find surfing, lessons, issues they have etc)

[drowningbitbybit]

Here you go... if he can... anyone can

[IB_Surfer]

You want to surf even if you suck? Simple, go with a big board. What can I say, you aren't good, might as well buy what you need to have fun

[jaffa1949]

As to wetsuits, yes they make them big enough. They stretch a lot, for a start; but an XXL or maybe even an XL should fit

Disagree with the wetsuit sizing, I'm 6ft 200lbs and I need an XXL otherwise I'm paddling against rubber stretch pressure, but there are immense differences between brands and their sizings,
Average temps Dec 60 ranging to 67 in May that's about 10 degrees warmer than San Fran waters.

[Jester]

I really wanna see how that guy does his pop up! What a legend

[dtc]

As to wetsuits, yes they make them big enough. They stretch a lot, for a start; but an XXL or maybe even an XL should fit

Disagree with the wetsuit sizing, I'm 6ft 200lbs and I need an XXL otherwise I'm paddling against rubber stretch pressure, but there are immense differences between brands and their sizings,
Average temps Dec 60 ranging to 67 in May that's about 10 degrees warmer than San Fran waters.

Yes, I seem to have missed an 'X' in each of my sizes!

[pacificvibes]

sorry, i disagree VERY much with the person who said you should be in shape first. as long as you love being in the water and realize that you will have to enjoy the practice as much as the progress, you should learn. i am not in good shape, i can't do much at all yet i have the time of my life. there is nowhere i'd rather be than on a surfboard, i always feel tremendously lucky to have a life where i can hang out in the ocean

different brands and different bodies make wetsuit sizing hard to tell- also, if you learn in san diego in summer time, i doubt you'll even need a wetsuit. i was positive nothing would fit me and i have a wetsuit stankin up my bathroom right now!

i know jimbo gets trotted out a lot, but i do admit he's a minority and the majority of accomplished surfers (well, shortboarders) are pretty fit so if you are self-conscious, you will need a thick skin.

i always tell myself i might not catch waves now, but i will catch zero for sure if i am not in the water.

[jaffa1949]

Unfortunately Jimbo's surfing won't be coming to the fore as much, unless he makes a Bethany Hamilton type recovery, as he lost his arm in a motor accident.
Good wishes to him for a spectacular reentry to the waves.

[oldmansurfer]

The in shape or not in shape question has to do with how conservative you need to be to learn how to surf. If you are not in shape you need to be careful and avoid conditions that would be a minor hassle to in shape surfers because they present life threatening conditions for you