Hi guys,

I have very recently decided to start surfing. I have had a couple of lessons in the past and really enjoyed myself. The only problem is I live in Hertfordshire.... and there is no coast here I am thinking about buying my own board so I can just drive to the coast whenever I feel like it and get practising, but have no idea what t look for and if that's even a good idea considering how much of a beginner I am!

Any advice would be great :-)

Laurie

Hi Laurie,

Go for somethin like a minimal to a longboard, anything from 7'0 to 9'0 and its ideal to learn on. You can pick up loads of second hand boards these days. Try on secondhandboards.com, they have millions!

Shame about the drive to the coast!!

http://www.sidssurfshack.co.uk/ />

Hey Laurie,
I know what you mean about not living near the coast! I live in London and it can be so annoying when wanting a surf. I head down to the Ticket to Ride surf school in Perranporth, Cornwall. The coaches are great and it helped me get my confidence and knowledge when starting out a couple of years ago. Here's there site if you think it will help http://www.ttride.co.uk

Hey,

I know this is a bit late, and perhaps you are an expert now (!) but when I was first learning I went to a school on the South Dorset coast. I was in Bristol so it wasnt too far (and I think still nearer London thatn Cornwall.) It was with these guys here:

http://www.crazywatersurfschool.co.uk/


Really laid back, very chilled, main focus on simply having fun. They were also quite good with the pastoral side of things. As in, they taught you how to look after your body and your health and all that kind of stuff, and why it is important to look towards your future health and consider how your body will be holding up in a a decade or so, as opposed to just pushing it to the exhaustion point today. I remember them recommending the best memory foam mattress topper (these here, I believe - http://www.zenbedrooms.com/memory-foam-mattress-toppers.html) which were great for a sore back and sides in the evening. That kind of training is great, cos you can take it with you the rest of you life, even once you are out of the waves.

[Edited on 29-4-2014 by Le Marin]

Thanks for the advice