Waves Available To Surf example essay topic

"Catch a wave, paddle out, catch a wave, paddle out", that's a not so famous quote by my not so famous big brother. Unfortunately, the process of surfing is far from this easy. There are so many concepts and elements involved in the simple act of surfing. It requires a lot of planning, concentration, and endurance.

All of these elements, combined with the perfect wave, present ideal conditions for surfing. So how many of you guys surf? How many have tried surfing? Thought about surfing?? Well, you are about to learn how in roughly 5-7 minutes! And if you have no desire to learn, just bear with me through this speech and I'll give you candy at the end!

My justification is saltwater taffy - you know, surfing, the ocean, saltwater, saltwater taffy? Works for me! Anyway ^a EUR| First let me say that surfing is growing tremendously these days. It's growing so much, that the 2003 edition of Surfer Magazine reported there is now an Association of Surfing Lawyers which now has over 200 members! Which is pretty crazy since no one really pictures the guys in the suits and ties out in the water! Okay, now that you have some kind of idea how much surfing is growing, let me tell you how you can be one of those people out in the water catching waves right along with one of those lawyers that may have gotten you out of trouble for some kind of crazy thing you did during your reign at Florida State!

Before you even think about heading out to the water, you need to purchase a board! It is very crucial that you find a board that is suitable for you. Obviously someone who is 6'4 couldn't use a board only 5'11. Long boards (boards roughly eight feet and longer) are usually good for beginning surfers. A surfboard that suits the needs of everyone is labeled as a "fun board".

That's what I own. My board is 7'2. But most "fun boards" average about 8 feet. After finding the appropriate board that you feel is right for you, it is then crucial to find a surfing buddy that will be faithful when the "surf is up". I chose my brother. He is someone that is dedicated to catching as many waves as possible when the opportunity arises, making him the perfect surfing buddy for me.

He is where I have learned the majority of my information concerning the sport of surfing. Him, surfing magazines, and experience. When my brother and I go surfing we both enjoy taking in and admiring the surroundings that are before us. It's a joy in itself to just sit back on your board and admire the beautiful sites around you. One in particular that sticks out in my mind is the beautiful sun shining through the darkened clouds after a mid-summer day's rain. That had to be by far the most beautiful surfing experience I have yet encountered.

And lucky for you guys, I just happen to have a picture of it! That's me on my board on that beautiful day. Unfortunately, even though you may have the perfect board and surfing buddy, it doesn't mean that the surf will always be up. It is very important to wait for the right time to go. It is definitely necessary for there to be waves to ride on. In order for this to happen, there has to be some sort of ground swell, a storm brewing in the ocean, and / or winds blowing in the right direction.

The appropriate direction for the wind to be blowing is all relative to where you are surfing. For example, if you " re surfing in Panama City Beach, the winds should be blowing out of the South to Southeast for nice, clean surf without a ground swell. Without these conditions, sadly enough, there will be no waves available to surf on. Thus, making it essential to wait for the right time to take your board, and buddy out into the vast ocean to attempt to catch waves. When the waves are up, take your board to the beach and "wax it up".

It is important to use wax (like this) to put on your board so that when you are paddling out and standing up on a wave, you won't slip off! So after your board is all waxed and after long awaiting the perfect time to go surfing, it is crucial to find the right spot in the ocean. From the shore of the beach, select the appropriate destination in the water. Then, paddle out. When you see a large wave coming that is about to break on you and could potentially push you back, hold your board tightly, push the nose (the front part of the surfboard) down, and kick your leg up throwing yourself under the wave.

This process is called "duck diving". Surfing sandiego. com defines duck-diving as "the process of going underneath the breaking wave with your board as you are paddling out so you are not pushed back". The September 2003 edition of Surfer Magazine goes on to say that, "A good day of duck diving can make or break your session". So as you can see, the process of duck-diving is crucial in making it out past the break to catch waves.

But when the waves aren't that big, you definitely should not duck dive or it will be obvious you don't know what you " re doing. When the wave isn't quite big enough to crash on you and push you under, you can paddle over the wave. Anyway you get out, it is important to get positioned in the right place, or it will be impossible to actually catch a wave. It is necessary to go out past where the waves are breaking. This takes a lot of strength and energy, but the reward of riding a wave in is far greater than the pain.

After you have arrived at that perfect spot in the ocean, sit on your board and wait. Regain your strength. Search for that perfect set of waves. A good rule when surfing is, don't take the first wave of the set. Nine times out of ten, the next waves will be better. After you think you have spotted that perfect wave, lay on your board and get balanced and position.

Face the shore and turn your head to watch the wave come in. When the wave is close, start paddling. It is important to dig deep and hard when paddling. You will get nowhere if you merely scrape the surface of the water, you must dig deep as if you are trying to scrape the bottom of the ocean floor. Paddle with all of your strength.

After you feel the wave take you, stand up and get your balance. When you stand up, it is important to stand sideways. I was teaching a friend to surf and forgot to tell her that minor detail, and she stood up straight, it was kind of obvious it was her first time! But when you said up sideways, hold your arms out to maintain that balance and ride the wave in.

Enjoy every second of it. Take in the beauty of the ocean and fellow surfers that surround you. When the wave comes to an end or you fall off (which ever comes first, ) stand up, get your board, paddle out, and do it all over again! Continue this process until the sun goes down or until you just can't paddle anymore. Now I know Tallahassee isn't a prime spot for catching waves due to the lack of an ocean, so thanks for bearing with me through this speech.

Now that you know what type of board to get, what to look for in a surfing buddy, the right time and the right spot to go surfing, and how to actually ride a wave, let this be your new motto out in the water, "Catch a wave, paddle out, catch a wave, paddle out.".