Things You'll Need:
- Longboard
- Wet suit
- Breaking waves
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Step 1
Find a surf shop that sells boards—you can match your own body size to a longboard by standing it upright. You don't want to take all of the boards off the rack so you will want to ask which section has the longboards.
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Step 2
Decide if you want to buy or rent a board. If you are on vacation, rent a package that includes lessons. If you live in a surfing community and love the water, just buy a board and learn from the surfers out on the water.
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Step 3
Learn by watching others—experience is only part of the learning curve. Observation of good surfers hanging ten can provide techniques that will put you ahead of the average beginner.
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Step 4
Determine if you are left leg dominate or right leg. The most common longboard stance is left leg dominate. If you are right leg dominate, be prepared to get the nickname "goofy."
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Step 5
Relent and give up all the macho ideals of a drugged up surfer lifestyle. Surfing is a dangerous sport; take it seriously, as your life is at risk with every paddle out into the ocean. Strap on the leg leash; it is there to save your life.
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Step 6
Paddle the longboard out into the ocean. Do this kneeling or lying down; find your balance and don't be surprised if you fall off a few times. Look for rows of foamy white water—you want the waves to have already broken.
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Step 7
Stand on your longboard once you surf the wave in several times lying down. Push yourself onto your feet with a slight jump up and find your balance quickly. The wave breaks fast and the faster the wave breaks, the less stability you have.
