Give surfing a go
If you are considering trying your hand at surfing there are a few things you need to know before you hit the waves. Although there is no substitute for practice, making sure you have the right equipment and an understanding of the unwritten rules that govern wave etiquette will make learning a whole lot easier.
You'll need a board
The first thing you need of course is a board, known as a 'stick' to surfers. To start with it makes sense to get hold of a second-hand board and it doesn't need to be pretty. In the beginning the likelihood is that you are going to put a few dings in your board until you find your feet and, if you discover that you enjoy surfing and progress with it you will doubtless define your board features and upgrade in time. Buying a board can seem daunting but as a beginner there are several rules of thumb to get you started. You should look for a long, fat and wide board to begin with as this shape is the easiest to manage in the water and is also the easiest to balance on. The rule of thumb is to get a board that is 14" longer than you are tall and at least 20" wide.
The right clothes make all the difference
Ok so now you need to wear appropriate clothing. Luckily most Australian waters are warm enough for swimming togs but in the cooler areas you will need a wetsuit, the fun of surfing can be seriously curtailed if you start shivering and your toes turn blue. And ladies take note, as a novice surf chick it is strongly recommended that you wear a one piece swimming suit rather than a bikini - wiping out has been known to strip a double dose of dignity from the scantily clad.
You also need to get hold of a couple of accessories, namely a leash, which attaches the board to your ankle so you don't lose it when you come off, some wax, to rub onto your board to give some traction and some sun cream, so that you aren't mistaken for a crayfish by the time you finish.
This is how it is done
Now that you are kitted out you will want to find some surf. To begin with you will need to spend some time in relatively quiet water, well away from the crowded breaks and the guys you are longing to look like. Etiquette dictates that beginners protect themselves and other surfers by keeping out of the way. Other rules include never stealing a wave that someone else is already riding or getting in the path of a surfer on a wave as you paddle back out. Find a place where the waves have broken already and are coming into the beach as flat-ish, white water. Lying on your stomach on your board you need to paddle out to about shoulder high depth and turn your board, nose in to the beach. As you feel a good surge of wave power coming up behind give your board a few paddles to start the momentum and you should feel it being lifted by the wave, keeping the board flat in the water, gripping the sides of your board, pull your feet up under you stomach, right in the middle of the board, one in front of the other, and stand up! The first few times you actually get to your feet the likelihood is that you will fall over in surprise but, after swallowing a lot of ocean water and with determined practice you will soon find yourself understanding the exhilaration that has captured the imaginations of so many.