Would like to try surfing? Any suggestions? (1 Viewer)

[The Dude]

Would like to introduce 15 year old grandson to surfing. Any input? Any thought on where to go in US or Caribbean?

 

[Ron Swanson]

Jimmy Lane Surf Academy if on the East coast.

Home

www.surf-lane.com

 

[General Malaise]

I did it once in Hawaii at Wikiki (I have no idea how to spell that). Had a lesson with a big Hawaiian fellow and when he'd push the board as a wave came, I could get up and actually surf a little. It was fun, but once the lesson was over and I was on my own, I couldn't muster up enough forward momentum to get up and surf again. It was tiring trying and I used to be a fairly okay competitive swimmer, so it was a bit demoralizing not to catch a wave without a large Hawaiian man assisting me.

I can at least strike it off my list of things I tried to do in life. Update us on the progress. Cool thing to introduce your grandson to!

 

[Terminalxylem]

Hawaii is undoubtedly a great place to learn. As GM notes above, Waikiki is very beginner friendly, and there are many places to take a lesson.

Water off the continental US is much colder, and the Caribbean may be too flat.

Since you live in the Midwest IIRC, it may be more practical to try snow sports first. While I despise it with every fiber of my being, I believe snowboarding involves some of the same skill set.

 

[Chemical X]

rent before you buy…..

 

[-fish-]

Would like to introduce 15 year old grandson to surfing. Any input? Any thought on where to go in US or Caribbean?

How strong of a swimmer is he?

 

[Rand al Thor]

Where do you live? That would help us narrow it down. I love surfing, and I love my kids, but I'll be damned if I would've ever flown them out to Waikiki for their first surf lesson. Florida has Ron Jon Surf Shop, and real surfers hate that place. However, they've got a surf school with great teachers and I've taken a group of kids there before to their surf camp. Within minutes, one of them caught their first wave and before half an hour was up, they were all standing up and riding. You don't want to go somewhere with "great surf" to learn to surf. You just need some decent instructors, a foam longboard, and 2 to 3 foot waves.

 

[E Street Brat]

Good info in this thread.

Any FBG Surfers?

I always wanted to learn how to surf. Are their any experienced surfers here? Would you recommend this technique to practice at home before hitting the beach?

forums.footballguys.com

 

[CGRdrJoe]

where are you planning on doing this at? i surfed basically my whole life and can offer whatever advice you want.

 

[The Dude]

We are from the midwest. I am looking to do a vacation in US/Caribbean and make surfing a part of the trip. Not a trip centered around surfing.

 

[belljr]

Jobos beach in PR used to be a spot where they would teach you. It's also not easy

Costa Rica is a big surf spot but not sure if go there for a beginner

 

[CGRdrJoe]

We are from the midwest. I am looking to do a vacation in US/Caribbean and make surfing a part of the trip. Not a trip centered around surfing.

ok, that changes things a bit but not much and i’m going to assume summer. summer in hawaii is always a great option but absolutely packed, however their crowded is still better than huntington beach in the summer and there are plenty of other things to do on oahu to make it worth the trip. i’d steer clear of florida, way to many damn small sharks out there at the summer spots that get surf.
costa rica is an amazing surf destination with plenty of beginner spots. I’d also look at by domican republic, amazing surf with plenty of beginner spots. i’d avoid puerto rico and barbados, both over crowded surf spots with dickhead locals

 

[belljr]

We are from the midwest. I am looking to do a vacation in US/Caribbean and make surfing a part of the trip. Not a trip centered around surfing.

ok, that changes things a bit but not much and i’m going to assume summer. summer in hawaii is always a great option but absolutely packed, however their crowded is still better than huntington beach in the summer and there are plenty of other things to do on oahu to make it worth the trip. i’d steer clear of florida, way to many damn small sharks out there at the summer spots that get surf.
costa rica is an amazing surf destination with plenty of beginner spots. I’d also look at by domican republic, amazing surf with plenty of beginner spots. i’d avoid puerto rico and barbados, both over crowded surf spots with dickhead locals

I never had problems with the beaches on the west of PR..... Although my wife is PR so maybe that helped lol