Surfing Tofino – The Ultimate West Coast Experience

Surfing Tofino - The Ultimate West Coast Experience

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Home Page > Travel > Exotic Locations > Surfing Tofino - The Ultimate West Coast Experience

Surfing Tofino - The Ultimate West Coast Experience

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Posted: Apr 21, 2010 |Comments: 0
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I took my first ever crack at surfing this week, thanks to a glorious turn of weather on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Tofino is close enough to my home in Parksville on the island's east Coast that we can comfortably squeeze in a short 2 night jaunt. It's just over a two hour drive, spectacular, though a little hairy too. March is a good time to visit the coast with it's migrating whale populations, storm surges and potentially spring-ish weather. They don't call it shoulder season here, they call it ‘regular season' instead, but the hotel rates are close to half of what they are in the summer and the crowds are far more manageable.

We picked up our gear from the good people at Pacific Surf School, located at 430 Campbell St. in downtown Tofino. There are many surf shops in town but we like this one the best, with its helpful and knowledgeable staff, great location and quality gear. It probably has one of the finer websites in town and it's also right next door to the coffee shop / bakery where you can stock up on sticky buns before you load up your gear.

We headed to north Chesterman beach a few miles down the coast. It had been pretty stormy in days previous, though this day was bright and sunny and fairly warm for mid-march. As a result the surf was pretty intense, or trashy as the locals might call it.

We probably should have opted for the lesson at the Surf School, or at least some instruction in wetsuit application. Of the four of us, two adults and two children, two of us put their wetsuits on backwards and three of us put them on inside out. Our youngest even tried to put his leg in the armhole It took me three nearly completed attempts to finally succeed, and then I realized I had to pee.

The ocean was amazing and comfortable to be in, thanks to the wetsuits. I enjoyed paddling around and splashing in the waves, but there was no way I could get up on my feet, my bad shoulder so weak and painful that I could barely push myself up to kneeling. It didn't matter though, just to feel the power of the ocean and frolic in the waves on the surfboard was an incredible experience. We were all grinning from ear to ear and the kids actually did much better than we adults, as usual.

We had a picnic lunch on the beach and enjoyed the spectacular setting of this West-Coast treasure, promising yet again to take more advantage of the beauty we live so close to.

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Surfing for Beginners: How to Start

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Home Page > Sports and Fitness > Surfing for Beginners: How to Start

Surfing for Beginners: How to Start

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Posted: Dec 08, 2008 |Comments: 0
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Watching all those cool surfers showing off on the tv-screen, walking that ultra-cool surfer walk from the water to the beach, with the surfbroad held tightly under the arm makes anyone want to be a surfer. But how does one start? Join a Surfschule (surfing-school) of course. Anyone can learn surfing, or Surfen as it is called in German, age no-bar, sex no-bar. All one needs is an adventurous heart, and a good teacher.

Surfen is all about balance. It’s about keeping your center of gravity intact while the waves throw you around. You need a really good pair of legs and a keen mind to be a good surfer. On the surf-board, you’ll be battling the waves, fighting to keep your balance and still managing to have a huge amount of fun. Sounds tempting? Find a surfschule, and you can experience it.

Luckily surfing has become so popular of late, that there are surf-schools everywhere. Go to any good surfing spots, and you will find shops renting or selling surfen gear. A surfschule shouldn’t be far off. Many shops also arrange lessons on demand from local pros.

As a beginner you can’t graduate straight to the surfboard that professionals use. That surfboard called the shortboard is harder to maneuver and balance for beginners and surfen won’t be any fun for you on this board. Every surfschule has a longer longboard that is easier to balance on. The longboard is supported better by the waves, and even a beginner should be able to keep upright. The longboard is usually between 8 to 10 feet long.

The second thing that you need is a good wetsuit. Almost every Surfschule has wetsuits in a variety of sizes to fit different builds of people and you should be able to rent one. If you want to buy a wetsuit, make sure you but something that’s comfortable. Don’t ever buy a wet suit that’s too tight, because then surfen will be punishment not pleasure.

Most people prefer buying a wetsuit to renting one, because it’s a pretty personal clothing item. Also it’s cheaper than a surfboard, so you can easily afford one. Surfen is addictive, and once you get started, you’re going to come back again and again. You can buy your surging gear from any surfing store, but do ask your surfschule instructor about the type of suit you need.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to get started with surfing, the answer is a week. If you take daily lessons and work on surfen with dedication and seriousness, you’ll be surfing upright in a week’s time. Of course you must possess a certain degree of agility and good reflexes. The first few days of surfen will be hard, but your surfschule instructor will guide you, and once this gestation period is finished, you should find surfing much more easier.

One thing that you need to remember is that surfen exposes you to a lot of water, and if you have any kind of skin allergies or problems that are related to salt-water, you need to make sure surfing is safe for you. Also ask your surfschule if there’s any dangerous marine life like stingrays around, and avoid the areas that you’re asked to.

That said, here’s the last bit of advice. Take it easy in the beginning! Yes, don’t imagine that you’ll be able to surf big waves straight way and don’t be disappointed when you can’t. Surfen like any sport needs time to master.

For more resources about Surfen or even about Surfschule please review this web page http://www.portugal-surf.de

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The Surfing Equipment You Need

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Home Page > Sports and Fitness > Water Sports > The Surfing Equipment You Need

The Surfing Equipment You Need

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Posted: Jan 29, 2010 |Comments: 0
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Surfing equipment is fairly basic and not very expensive to buy. If you are a first time surfer, you should borrow a board and get a feel of it before purchasing your own. Do some research on trusted surfing equipment providers and vendors and don’t compromise on the quality of the equipment.

If you’re learning to surf, then use this as a check list while you’re out shopping.

The Surfboard

You can’t surf without it! Surfboards have undergone major transformation. Initially they were made of wood and were very big and heavy. But today boards are made of foam, fibreglass and even polyester resin. Newer surfboard designs use materials such as carbon fibre and variable-flex composites. The main parts of a board are the deck, rail, nose, tail and stringer.

The deck is the flat side of the board where the surfer stands. The nose is the part of the board that sits out of the water, it usually pointed and round. The tail is the at the back of the board that has many different shapes. It holds the leash that the surfer attaches to his ankle so the board doesn’t get lost. The rails are the “edge” of the surfboard. They run from the tail to the nose and also along the place where the deck and the bottom meet. Rail shapes vary from board to board that provide different surfboard performances.

There are different types of boards; some are long and some are short. There are four basic designs, the first is the longboard, or the Malibu, the second is the shortboard, known as the thruster, the third is the fish, which is similar to the shortboard and the fourth is the gun. The best board for a beginner is the Malibu.

Wet suits

The next item on the list is the wetsuit. Some people wear trunks or shorts to surf, while others prefer the wetsuit. The wetsuit is great in colder climates, like in Europe or Australia, and keep you warm. Make sure you choose a wetsuit that has a sealed seam, which will hold a thin layer of water that works as insulation for the body.

Leash

A leash is a cable that has one end fixed to the tail of the board and the other end attached to the ankle. The leash ensures the board doesn't get too far away from the surfer. The leash should be about the same length as your board.

Surfboard Wax

The wax is applied to the surface of the board to enhance the grip of the surfer in any condition. It is also applied to the sides of the board, i.e. on the rails.

You have the equipment and now it’s time to learn how to surf. Soul Surfing in Australia provides surf lessons and also organises surfing camps and yoga retreats. Visit their website for any additional information: www.soulsurfing.com.au

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Harrison Keeley is an avid surfer and has travelled around the world in search of the best surfing spots. His articles on his passion are interesting and informative.

www.soulsurfing.com.au

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Harrison Keeley is an avid surfer and has travelled around the world in search of the best surfing spots. His articles on his passion are interesting and informative.

www.soulsurfing.com.au

Surfing Folly

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Image taken on 2009-10-11 11:49:54 by drobnikm.

Surfing, Leelanau Style

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Surfing the Mersey River Mouth

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Top 10 Considerations Before Starting your Surfing Class

If you are anything like us here then I’m sure you will agree with me when I say, bring on the sun let the temperatures rise and let’s head to the beach! If this summer is anything like last summer then I am also pretty sure record numbers of you are planning to try new activities like wake boarding, scuba diving and surfing while you are on your vacations. For those of you that are thinking about taking a surfing class here is a list of ten things to consider before you sign up:

1. What is your personal comfort level with the ocean?

This is arguably the most important factor to consider before taking any surfing class. Keep in mind that until you progress out of the beginner stage you will spend a lot of time rolling around in the waves. During class you will be standing in water that is chest deep, waves will be crashing all around you and occasionally a wandering piece of seaweed will rub up against you. If you are not comfortable while in this environment you will never be able to focus on the task of surfing. This is not to say that those of you who are uncomfortable should go find something else to do. If you are uncomfortable then you should take a few days to become familiar with the environment you will be spending a lot of time in once your class starts.

2. How physically fit are you?

Make no mistake about it surfing is a sport. It is physically demanding and under certain conditions can be very strenuous. As a beginner you will not be subjected to extremely strenuous conditions but you can count on going home every day with “noodle arms” and by the end of the class you will be sore in places that you didn’t even know you had muscles.

3. How dedicated are you to learning the sport?

If you come to class expecting to go out in the water and immediately pop up to your feet on your first wave and hang ten then you are setting yourself up for a let down. Surfing is an activity that requires dedication. At some point during the class you will get frustrated. Those who succeed in class are the ones who battle through their frustrations.

4. How much time do you have to dedicate to the sport?

You will get out of the sport exactly what you put into it. For most people a 1 week surf class is just barely enough time for them to begin to get the hang of the sport. However, it does give you enough time to develop the tools you will need to master the sport on your own after your class is over. For the average person you can expect to be a solid beginner after 30 water days.

5. What is your swimming ability?

Simply put, if you can’t swim you shouldn’t be taking a surfing class. Swimming is an integral part of surfing and you put yourself in a high risk situation if you attempt to take a surfing class and do not know how to swim. If, however, you are an intermediate to strong swimmer you definitely can learn how to surf. If you have reservations about whether or not you are a good enough swimmer to attempt the sport make sure you discuss this with your instructor and he or she will be able to determine if the sport is right for you.

6. Where will your class be located?

Most surfing spots have waves that break in a predictable fashion. This can vary from gently rolling peelers to pitching surging freight trains. Make sure you research where your class will be taught and you are comfortable with the conditions that exist there.

7. What time of year are you taking your class?

Most surfing spots will vary in the type of waves they produce as the seasons change so it is important to research how the waves break at the beach where you will be surfing at during the time you plan on taking your class. As a general rule of thumb most areas experience smaller waves in the summer than they do in the winter, however, there are always exceptions. Check local weather conditions on the internet to determine the forecast for your beach.

8. What type of equipment will you be using?

In the past five years there have been a number of innovations that have taken place in the surf board manufacturing industry. Surfers now have many options available to them with regards to the materials their boards are made from and the shapes of boards available. As a general rule of thumb it is easier to learn on a bigger board. Make sure the school you go to has boards that are 7-9 feet in length. Any smaller and you will just frustrate yourself, any longer and you will have trouble managing the board in the water. Preferable you want the board to be made from soft foam rather than fiberglass or epoxy but this is not as critical as size.

9. Who is your instructor?

When researching schools take the time to talk to somebody that is involved with the instructing. Make sure all instructors are CPR and first aid certified. Also, make an attempt to interact with your instructor before you sign up to see if the two of you will get along. After all, the class is supposed to be fun and you won’t be having much fun if you do not like your instructor.

10. Did you pack your essentials?

Always wear sunscreen, pack a hat, an umbrella. Have your board shorts and talk to your instructor about the right wetsuit or rash guard for you. You might also want to think about a hood, gloves, and other accessories. Keep a good attitude and have a good time.

Surfing

Surfing is a great workout it seems

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Image taken on 2010-08-21 10:41:20 by San Diego Shooter.

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