Summer is here and the time is right to learn to surf.  It is much better to start this quest in user-friendly temperatures than in winter when the fact that you are freezing makes the whole experience not so much fun.  The whole idea is to have fun and have a great time.

First off, I have to let you in on the fact that learning how to surf is not going to be the easiest thing you have ever done.  As a matter of fact, it is going to be one of the hardest things you have ever done.  It takes a lot of energy and endurance and it uses muscles that you have probably never used before.  So try not to get discouraged when you wear out fast the first couple times.  You WILL get past that.  There is a lot going on out there.  In snowboarding or skiiing, you have a stationary mountain.  In surfing, the mountain is liquid and is changing by the millisecond.

When i teach beginners to surf, my main concern is that they do not get hurt.  Nothing can ruin the mood more than a surfboard to the head or face.  Modern boards are fragile and light, and if they hit you, more times than not it does more damage to the board than your body.  UNLESS you get hit in the head or face.  The best bit of instruction that I can give you is to ALWAYS COVER YOUR HEAD AND FACE WHEN YOU FALL OFF.  You have to remember that and do it.  You won't.  But the first time you get clunked you will.  This is the rule of rules.  Also, never let a wave catch you broadside.  Always keep the board pointed into a wave or toward the beach...never EVER sideways.

These are the two main things to insure a safe first surfing experience.  It is a great idea to take some lessons or enroll in a surfing school.  Just remember to have fun but be careful out there.

Corky Carroll: Five-time US Overall Surfing champion.  Three-time International Surfing champion.  International Big Wave champion.  World Small Wave champion.  Named Best Surfer in the World in 1968 by Surfer Magazine poll.  Miller Lite All Star.  And voice of Grubby Grouper on Spongebob Squarepants.