I really want to start surfing, tips on getting started?

Surfing and skateboarding are vastly different sports. Both have a heavy 'balance" component, but that is as close as it gets. In surfing, you spend the least amount of your time actually standing up, riding waves. Most of your time energy is consumed by paddling out, sitting in the line up waiting for a wave, and then paddling and tyaking off. Great ocean skills are essential.

Lessons are the best way to start. Lessons can come from a professional instructor, or experienced surfing family members or experienced surfing friends. Professional lessons are NOT that expensive, and they are a wise investment.You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don't want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave. The last thing experienced surfers want is for inexperienced people to just grab a board, rush into the surf and get in our way. Lessons shorten the learning curve significantly. And they help keep ignorant, un-prepared kooks out of the water and out of the way of more experienced surfers.

Don't even think about buying your own surfboard, yet. A surfboard is a big investment. Beginners should take advantage of renting boards and wetsuits while taking lessons. If it turns out you don't like surfing, you haven't wasted a whole lot of money on gear that you are not going to use. When you are ready to buy, don't waste your time buyion a board on line, go to a good local surf shop to discuss your size (weight is import, height isn't), skill level and local wave conditions. After 47 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice from good local shops in the places where I surf. A surf shop is also the best place to find information on instructors. Rely on what you can learn on the beach or in a surf shop, not just what you read on line. If possible, avoid popouts. Read the link, it will explain what I mean. http://www.mckevlins.com/no%20pops.html

All decent surf shops have boards that will suit you at a resaonable price, when the time comes. But please don't rush into buying something that will only be a disappointment.

And, I know there are lots of nice kids who want to share information with you on line. But don't take the advice from youngsters, who may know even less than you do about surfing. I hope you are mature enough to read through the BS that lots of people throw at you on line. So, I would be very careful about who's advice you take. There is plenty of great surfing an hour or two ride from NYC. i started surfing in NJ many yaers ago. The Jersey shore and all of the Long Island have some great surfing spots, good shops and great instructors.

Good luck with surfing. I started when I was 14, that was in 1966. As you can see, I have been surfing for a while, and it has given me a lifetime of fun. It will for you too, if you take the time to learn the right way. With good ocean skills, some good lessons and a lot of patience, you can do it. Just remember, it is not as easy as it looks from the beach.

Not to late to start and I'm moving to the East coast soon and I have been checking out surfing back there, I live in Southern Baja California, Mexico now and the surf here is some of the best in the world, going to be a big change but there is some decent surf around NYC, you should look into taking a few lessons and you have a few months to find a good place with some waves, and as far as long boarding goes it's not really at all the same but you will learn balance, Good Luck, If you send me a Y/A email I will let you know some good spots

I have been surfing for 20 years. There is a lot of good surf in New York and I highly recommend giving it a shot.

My recommendations are:

1) get a good wetsuit

2) buy or rent a cheap 8 or 9 ft longboard

3) paddle out on a small day 2 or 3 ft high waves your first time

4) dont give up easily, its hard the first couple of times

5) paddle out where other people are at, but dont get too close to interfere with their surfing.

6) be cool in the water and mind your surroundings. Dont be afraid to ask for advice. People will immediately know you are a beginner, but they wont care if you are nice.

What I would recommend is buying a skateboard or street longboard right now so you can practice getting the balance you need right now in the winter while the water is cold. That will help a lot! Once the water starts warming up defiantly start with lessons. New York isn't bad at all to learn. It offers smaller waves which will make it easier to learn on and big ones during hurricane and winter swells that you can surf on once you get better. I learned how to surf on Florida waves and it's the same way down here. 15 isn't too old at all, your still young! By the way 311 is Awesome!!! Listen to them all the time before I paddle out. Saw them live with Slightly Stoopid over the summer. Good luck brah!

If you have the money to spend, check out the Carver Da Monsta skateboard. It's a surf cross-trainer that will really help you out. I have one and its like surfing on the street.