Surf California

If you want to learn how to surf California is a great place to get started. While experienced surfers may prefer more remote locations, California has the biggest surfing culture around with plenty of people to get you on your feet- and on to your surfboard.

Today we’re going to sunny Santa Cruz. There are a few beaches here that are excellent for beginners. And after you dry off you can go visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum nearby for inspiration. I don’t really like museums. I usually just walk through them, so let’s get on to the surfing stuff.

Cowell’s beach is nearly everything you could want in a beginner’s beach. It’s got really soft, mellow waves. It’s got a nice sandy bottom. It’s really easy to get to, and the area is pretty safe.

The only issue is all the people. On weekends there are loads. Fortunately for beginners this doesn’t matter too much- you’re going to be falling off your board most of the time. For advanced surfers though this beach will get annoying- too many people and not enough action. Unless you like the challenge of working your way through a maze of people.

In the summer this is a haven for novice surfers. It has long, gradual waves and a friendly atmosphere. At some beaches you’ll get douchebags. Cowell’s beach though is a family place, full of beginners who probably suck at surfing just as much as you. There’s something very bonding about learning with people who are as bad as you, so you may find yourself making surfing buddies down at Cowell’s.

It’s near impossible not to meet people here- even on weekdays it can be crowded. Cowell’s is a great place to get on your feet before you explore where to surf California for real. Santa Cruz is a nice, fun town, so head down during the week if you can and hit the waves. If you can handle the crowds, you won’t regret it.

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Yesterday on Surf California was pretty dramatic- naked people, government officials, car chases and a nuclear power plant. I probably don’t have to sell Old Man’s to you after all that. In fact Old Man’s is one of the most famous beaches around, so you may be reading this article and nodding your head about things you already know. Or you may be nodding your head because you need sleep, so have a look at the clock and take a nap if that’s the case.

Old Man’s is perfect for beginners. Its gentle waves make it a favourite with longboarders from around the world. This means it also has an older crowd dating back to the days of Dewey Weber and Dale Velzy (is it just me, or do surfers have really cool stripper names?) when massive redwood boards were where the party was at.

Here’s a YouTube video with some reggae music:

Old Man’s is the perfect balance of not being too much like a surfing version of Disney World, and having enough facilities to make it convienient. There are plenty of bathrooms and showers, the beach is well-patrolled by lifeguards and there’s always something going on in the notorious parking lot.

If you’re too mellow to party, there are places to have a picnic, so again my advice is to bring sandwiches. If you also like the feel of danger, check this out- there is a real nuclear power plant nearby. However much I love Hawaii, there’s no comparison to surfing within minutes of a potential nuclear disaster. Joking aside, Old Man’s is safe, clean, fun and totally beginner-friendly. This is why I’m giving it my cheesy two thumbs up. Or maybe two surfboards up. Whatever. Go to Old Man’s to learn how to surf and you’ll have a good time.

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To surf california, you need to learn how to surf. So let’s get on that. For someone who’s never been out in the waves, the first couple of times can seem pretty stressful. What do I wear, what kind of board do I get, where should I go, etc.?

First, have no worries. We’ll cover what you want to look out for, and then I’ll give you an overview of the glorious La Jolla Shores.

The whole point of being fresh blood is that you make mistakes. If you don’t make any mistakes, you won’t learn anything, so we want an environment where you’re free to have brutal wipe-outs all day long.

Don’t go to the most crowded beach. Surfing is about you and the ocean, not you, the ocean and 300 other annoyed people. Finding a place to surf is always a balance between finding the right environment and finding a place with not too many people.

Start doing your homework. Reading this site is a good start, but make sure to browse around for more information. If there’s a surf shop in your area, visit it and find out where to go. Tell them you know nothing about surfing- there’s no point pretending to be a veteran Beach Boy when you’re not.

You’re going to want a gentle wave to start with. Gentle and calm are the words to look out for. As a beginner, you’re going to fall off your surfboard a lot, so you don’t want to spend 10 minutes trying to get back on your board.

You also want sand. Lots of sand. Gentle, nice, warm-between-your-toes sand. If you hear about rocks in an area, just don’t go there.

You can check out this video I found on YouTube:

It’s nothing glamourous. That’s the point. When you’re starting out, you’re going to be falling off A LOT. You have to learn to walk before you can run, so practising in a smooth location is ideal.

The video is of La Jolla Shores. It’s a beach that stretches about a mile, and has Kellogg Park just behind it where you can lay back on some grass if you’ve had enough sand.

When they say that San Diego is beautiful, this is the kind of thing they have in mind. In the summer this place will be crowded, but from now onwards you should have a great time, even if the water starts to get a little colder.

La Jolla Shores is a great place to learn how to surf. Remember to bring sandwiches as well. Surf California thinks sandwiches are essential here.

Technorati Tags: beginner, la jolla shores, san diego, surf california