How hard is it to ride surf?

ger87410 · Dec 27, 2007

I've ridden a ski for 2 months and a stand-up for 4 days, only on the lake. I wasn't kneeling at all on the 3rd day of riding... I got the turning down and was working on turning it sharp last time out. I've only fallen off once, but lost my footing about 4 times.

How hard is it to ride surf? Some of those waves in the videos look scary to me.

mfg: I understand that to easily cross waves, you look for the lowest spot in the wave.

Is it hard to maintain footing when landing from a jump? I assume you absorb the impact completely in your legs and only use the handlebars for balance.

I'll ride on the lake a time or 2 before riding surf, for sure...

EDIT: I'll also avoid big surf completely for awhile.

PancakePete · Dec 27, 2007

ger87410 said:
I've ridden a ski for 2 months and a stand-up for 4 days, only on the lake. I wasn't kneeling at all on the 3rd day of riding... I got the turning down and was working on turning it sharp last time out. I've only fallen off once, but lost my footing about 4 times.

How hard is it to ride surf? Some of those waves in the videos look scary to me. mfg: I understand that to easily cross waves, you look for the lowest spot in the wave.

Is it hard to maintain footing when landing from a jump? I assume you absorb the impact completely in your legs and only use the handlebars for balance.

I'll ride on the lake a time or 2 before riding surf, for sure...

EDIT: I'll also avoid big surf completely for awhile.

Where are you located ?
Depending on surf, it can be easy or hard. fun or freaky.

I would say if your looking to rip. pick a smaller day and learn.
Many aspects of surf riding.. from wave riding to aerials !
I love both... But would rather air if surf is not really good !
When its good surf... its hard to air... your too busy shreading.

ger87410 · Dec 27, 2007

I'm located in NM. I was going to ride surf in April at CA.

Mike Serlin · Dec 27, 2007

I would get as good as you can on a lake before trying surf. If you've only fallen off once then your not really pushing yourself. When I was learning to ride I fell off constantly. Work on high speed turns, sharp and gradual. Try some some subs and turn subs (assuming you've got a bildge pump. Get a feel for sliding the ski while in control. Do little bunny hops to get a feel for hopping over the white water.
As long as the surf isn't mackin or the conditions aren't stormy you should be fine. That and have fun!!!

Vumad · Dec 27, 2007

Mike Serlin said:
I would get as good as you can on a lake before trying surf. If you've only fallen off once then your not really pushing yourself. When I was learning to ride I fell off constantly. Work on high speed turns, sharp and gradual. Try some some subs and turn subs (assuming you've got a bildge pump. Get a feel for sliding the ski while in control. Do little bunny hops to get a feel for hopping over the white water.
As long as the surf isn't mackin or the conditions aren't stormy you should be fine. That and have fun!!!

Agreed! you should fall off A LOT!!!! I fall off now more than I did when I was learning. Riding is easy. Riding out is rough.

WaveDemon · Dec 27, 2007

you should be falling more. I fall all the time. don't ride safe, be agressive.

fyi. riding a beach break is harder than an inlet too.

ger87410 · Dec 27, 2007

I was going to try subs soon. The bilge bump started acting up, so that got in the way at the time. No, I haven't been pushing myself. I was going to do that after I get a lanyard setup.

When I did fall off, the ski went in a straight line for a bit before coming back after me. My 550 circled for a few minutes while my wife rode her SD out to help. Anyone ever seen pictures of that ski called Smiley? When my ski came around for the last time images of Smiley popped in my head. I was looking the other way when it came out of the turn on course for a kill. Only my wife's holler saved me from becoming a meal that day. :wink:

Practice high-speed maneuvers, bunny hops, and going under the water. Gotcha!

Vumad · Dec 27, 2007

A laynard isn't necessary for trying things. a laynard is required as a safety for parts breaking. The ski only gets a long way from you because you're not riding hard. You're going fast on plane so you fall and the ski keeps on plane and goes bye bye. Once you start falling from doing subs and carving, there wont be much swimming. The ski is not on plane, so it doesn't get very far when you fall. Bad excuse. Ride HARD.

stanton · Dec 27, 2007

i will predict that you will get smashed, be too tired to ride within a half hour.
thats what happened to me!

Crab · Dec 27, 2007

five0addict said:
i will predict that you will get smashed, be too tired to ride within a half hour.
thats what happened to me!

Stan, I think that happens to most of us, I was way too pumped up my first time and should have relaxed more.

fwi · Dec 27, 2007

Did anybody mention "wear a helmet"?
:chairshot:

brett · Dec 28, 2007

just say doughnut it. ride out there till you get it. i rode lakes for years and surf is a different deal. its great.

djkorn1 · Dec 28, 2007

Turn down your idle and go rip it. :shocked:

Hood straps are a must as is a handlepole restraint and bilgepump that is always on.

LBE · Dec 28, 2007

fwi said:
Did anybody mention "wear a helmet"?
:chairshot:

NAH!! you don't need a helmet. What could go wrong? :icon16::toothache:

Surf is easy, you'll be flipping and rolling in a day. :bs2:

Let the Oside crew know when your coming, we'll take you out for some fun!:tomato:

ger87410 · Dec 28, 2007

I'll be over 1st week of april. I was planning on riding at Oside anyways. :wink:

Looks like we'll be hitting Seaworld in San Fran on March 29, riding lake piru on the 30th and 31st, then riding surf at Oside (backup plan is finding the nearest lake) from the 1st to the 4th. Whale watching (and something else, haven't decided what yet) on the 5th, and heading back home on the 6th.

Thanx for the input, guys!

Conquistador · Dec 28, 2007

Dude, I've been riding for 18 years & fall off all the time still. Gotta push yourself. Don't worry about a lanyard if your riding flats. Just stay a safe distance from those around you. Just make sure your steering cable is in good condition because, if it's not, your not going to have fun chasing that thing across the lake, been there done that, haha. Since you're just starting out, don't wear a helmet yet. Wear one when you start pulling serious tricks or anytime you ride surf. It may be more dangerous to wear one at the moment than to not wear one.

Once you're ready to step up your game, that's when you should get a helmet and get a lanyard if possible. Good luck! Rock that 550!

love your avatar btw :haha:

SuperJETT · Dec 28, 2007

It's very dangerous, you'll die.

Or just talk, watch, then try, in that order.

DCRocks · Dec 28, 2007

SuperJETT said:
It's very dangerous, you'll die.

Trying to keep all those waves for yourself???? :mischievous:

Crab · Dec 28, 2007

SuperJETT said:
It's very dangerous, you'll die.

Or just talk, watch, then try, in that order.

I doubt it will be like this, my first time.

WaveDemon · Dec 28, 2007

crab said:
I doubt it will be like this, my first time.

that looks like my first time. I was new to standups and thought it would be a good time to borrow Idok's SJ for my first try in surf. I got worked.

How hard is it to ride surf?

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