Aspiring Kook

[Captain Howdy]

I have never surfed before. I am still a relatively young man coughthirtyonecough and am going to get in the water this summer and see what happens. I don't have a problem admitting that I know nothing about surfing so I'd like to bounce some dumb questions off you guys. I also don't mind being flamed. I'm a big boy.

1) I bought a used wet suit this week for $20. I then noticed that most lessons come with boots and gloves. Are boots and gloves recommended for enjoyment, or are they necessary for safety reasons? I'm not afraid of being cold but I don't want my feet to turn blue and fall off.

2) So I'm going to take a lesson. I'm athletic and am confident that I can stand up. After that, and I try to do it on my own, will other surfers give me a hard time or will they be friendly as long as I stay out of the way? I imagine some people are friendly and some people are penis craniums, just depends on the human being.

3) Sharks. Umm, yeah, sharks?

I would appreciate any other advice you can give me, beginner spots etc. And don't give me that quit before you start BS.

[Doc]

A $20 wetsuit will probably work like a $20 wetsuit...
You'll want boots, gloves you can do without...
A lesson is unnecessary in my opinion...
Being athletic has little to do with...
Learning how to surf...
You might stand up on your 1st day...
You might not stand up on the next 30 days...
If you last beyond the first go round...
Paddle alot if you can get out past the whitewash...
Paddle to where there is no one else...
Not to where there are people surfing...
Don't just sit there...
If you can't paddle effectively...
Then you won't catch a wave anyway...
You will most likely be ignored...
If you get in the way...
You will get hassled...
Yes there are sharks...
Your chances of encountering one...
Goes up if you start surfing.

Doc

[MC]

surfing sucks. don't try it.

[wanty]

1) used wetsuits have been urinated in, guaranteed.

2) A lesson could help depending on who gives it.

3) yes there are sharks but you shouldn't worry about them. Browse through this site you'll find a list of all attacks when and where; http://www.sharkresearchcommittee.com/
heres a good list of whats happened on the pacific since 2000. probably not exhaustive but pretty good.



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4) welcome!

[brobra]

I like how none of the fatal attacks were on surfers. but I didn't know one of the attacks was at Shorties....

[Tatonka]

I was surprised to see Shorties on the list too. I've heard accounts of all the other attacks but never anything from Shortsters.

Cpt Howdy, stay away from the OSP it will ruin your undying stoke.

[Tex]

We surfed an am session the day that attack happend at Shorty's. We were coming back for an evening session and everybody was talking about the attack. It happened relatively close to shore if I recall correctly.

[Tex]

Wrong...just checked the dates...I was talking about the attack at Shorty's back in 94.

Saw a very large shark when surfing out front in Manzanita...that one skared the shite outta me.

I was surfing with Tommy Innouye and for basically being one armed, that guy was WINDMILLING it back to the beach after he saw it.

Hilarious.

[Doc]

I surfed at Shortys...
The day after the 94 attack...
I didn't mention to the guy I was with...
I rationalized that the shark had swum...
Far away by that time.

Doc

[brdsurf]

Aspire to be a kook.....
everything else will fall into place. Dont think you will just pick it up and be proficient in a year or so. Keep in mind some people take decades to just master the basics, while some after just a couple months think they have mastered the basics.

Oh, and stay out of the way.

[Tatonka]

so did anybody on here ever hear about his 2006 attack at Shorties? Considering that the 2005 attack made national news I would have thought I'd hear something about one at Shorties the next year...

[fossilgrom]

Hey Cap'n,

I'll assume your legit and will give you some advice.

Get a good wet suit. 5 4 with a hood - 4 3 will work but when the water gets cold you'll be glad you got the 5 4. Don't matter which brand. Plan on spending at least $200 to $250 or more for the suit. Don't need gloves for most of the year so don't spend the $. Do get some good comfortable booties. I'll assume you are average weight and height. Rent nothing less that a 9'-6" to start out on. If you are starting out with zero water experience rent for awhile before you buy. When you buy, don't let some clown try to sell you a 6'2" tater chip - go big at first - a long board will always be useful in your quiver and you can always work you way shorter...if you want to. Start in the summer - Now would be a good time. Go as often as you can. Infact, if you are serious, move to the coast. Build upper body strength as much as possible. Do take one lesson. One should be enough. Learn the rules of the road. Be polite, but there will come a time when you should try to get out to the lineup and get a wave - do it. You will get yelled at - so what - just do your best. Surfing is the best thing you will ever do for yourself.

[H. Stamper]

Best thing ever, but can also be a curse depending on how you look at it or where you live. The key is frequency. Don't think your gonna learn to surf by going once a month or year, go as much as possible.

[speelyei]

captain, where do you live? A friend with a few years surfing under their belt would be the ideal accoutrement, and may not cost you anymore than a couple beers.

[Captain Howdy]

Thanks for all the sincere and encouraging replies You never know what to expect from a message board.

The main thing holding me back is that I don't know anyone that surfs. I'm a midwest transplant in Eugene and when I bring up surfing to my friends they all look at me like I'm crazy.

You guys at OSP are the ones that inspired me to get into it. I used to camp there once in a while and couldn't believe dudes would actually go out in water that cold. But if you can do it, I can do it. At least give it a shot. I'm not afraid to fail.

Special Captain Howdy Trivia:
If you were at OSP on June 10, 2005, there was a wedding ceremony. I was the groom