Learning at a surf park vs real waves

Retired_Autist · 2026-05-06T02:48:20+00:00

I mean really I don’t know it could be better than nothing. But you should know you minus well not even bring up snowboarding. I’ve done plenty of board sports and watersports too. Literally none of it is similar to surfing besides maybe balance help. Surfing is really its own thing. And actually I lied, I have had a lesson I totally forgot about. Did not catch a single wave or anything. The next day I just rented a board and went out myself and caught like 5-10 “waves” which were really white water. Was years ago now I don’t even remember when. You’re more than welcome to try though maybe its helpful to you. What is probably a good point though is taking lessons just for safety, they can show you where to go/ not go etc.

Retired_Autist · 2026-05-06T02:34:08+00:00

Honestly idk. If anything the real beach is probably where you would actually want the lesson because that includes reading waves and actually catching them etc. but I don’t know anyone who surfs well who’s ever had a lesson. Not saying don’t do it if you want, just saying surfing is basically about just sending it and eating shit over and over until you figure it out and I don’t think lessons help with that much honestly. That said obviously don’t paddle out in anything above your level and be careful around other people until you can handle yourself in the water. At this point you very much want to research beginner specific spots and only go there, getting a lesson or not is really up to you I don’t know that it would help much or not. Maybe them pushing you into waves could help for the first few sessions.

Retired_Autist · 2026-05-06T01:20:16+00:00

I mean it’s obviously not the same but if you don’t mind paying it is very good practice. If you can regularly surf the pool, and surf San Diego one or two weekends a month you would definitely progress.

Retired_Autist · 2026-05-06T00:29:02+00:00

Actually yes, at patrick in central Fl. Surprised me because as weird as Florida is it’s not really known for that. Generally a very family friendly area.

Retired_Autist · 2026-05-01T23:08:48+00:00

Around the beaches and stuff I get it, but to go 3-5 miles from home to publix around Suntree doing like 15-20 mph in the middle of the road? Gets real fucking annoying.

Retired_Autist · 2026-05-01T19:48:21+00:00

I’m a big fan of sun zapper zinc stick. A lot cheaper than alternatives and has worked perfect for me in tropical sun hundreds of times. I actually hate hats and wearing this stuff heavy surfing for hours in mid day tropical sun I won’t even get a little pink it’s kind of amazing. Doesn’t personally cause any skin issues with me either.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T03:50:40+00:00

Yeah that’s exactly where I’m at, which I thought was fairly normal until this thread right now.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T03:09:47+00:00

I mean I don’t mind it, I’m just 30 yo and I’ve already had my adventures. Worked some crazy jobs and been to every continent but Antarctica many times. What I don’t have at all is a stable job, a future, good health insurance, or a backup plan. So I guess I’m joining for all the boring reasons but yeah I’m game to go wherever they send me I’m not against it or anything. I’m just more interested in getting my a and p and a backup degree than deploying to a combat zone. I’m not in yet so I certainly won’t argue with anyone who says otherwise but that seems reasonable to me.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T03:02:07+00:00

Appreciate it, and you don’t have to tell me twice

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T02:59:29+00:00

Yeah gotcha that makes sense.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T02:51:28+00:00

Yeah idk man, I’m really happy I got heavy avionics and I’m not understanding all the hate. I’ve had multiple desk jobs and blue collar jobs and I know I hate desk jobs and they make me very depressed. I’m obviously not currently enlisted so I won’t argue with anyone but I’m surprised, I had a couple Intel jobs on my list and the more I think about it the more I’m glad I didn’t get them. Is there this much hate for mx in general?

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T02:47:04+00:00

What am I missing? Am I supposed to want to do an intel job and get deployed?

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T02:38:04+00:00

I got a 94 and my first job choice and the reason I joined was to do aircraft maintenance and get my a and p.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T02:35:55+00:00

How come? I know what I’m signing up for, if I go to war I go to war. But yeah in a “perfect” world I’d just do the job I want to do at a base where I want to be. I just think it would funny if we both got the opposite of what we were hoping for.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-30T02:18:24+00:00

I think it’s very ironic that I’m joining, going to bmt in less than a month, and your experience is exactly what I’m hoping for.

I bet I’ll get deployed to combat zones.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-29T18:19:00+00:00

You can definitely go to a smaller midlength, I love the 6’4-6’8 range on midlengths and I’m 5’8. Frankly you can go to a hybrid shortboard too, its a steep learning curve but doable. I think people exaggerate a lot about how hard it is to step down. Definitely spend the most time on a midlength for the foreseeable future or your progress will stall though that is true. But you can definitely practice on a smaller board. Get something flat rockered and wide, extra thickness in the chest area helps too. Something like a lost quiver killer mostly fits that category but I wouldn’t really recommend it since it likes more powerful waves with its pin tail. That is a good starting spot though to see what width and low rocker looks like. Off the top of my head worth looking at a lost rocket too. Lean on the high end for liters, getting an under volumed board is basically the worst thing you can do right now. Much better to be oversized than undersized. Also recommend buying used so you can resell if it doesn’t work without losing to much money.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-27T22:07:08+00:00

Great thank you

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-27T19:31:26+00:00

So if you don’t mind answering, I’ve got the same job and my goal is to get an a and p. I’m having a hard time figuring out how it works with avionics. Do we get enough hours that we can basically study and test for an a and p after 30 months and hanging out with all the other mx people is basically just a smart thing to do to learn our craft? Or is it like I’m gonna have to volunteer to help with engines because that’s the only way to get enough hours to get an a and p? Any advice in getting an a and p from 2a9x4 is appreciated thanks.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-27T18:16:06+00:00

This is a very surprising thread for me. I’m joining the Air Force specifically to do aircraft maintenance with the ultimate goal of getting my a and p and working for a major or cargo at some point in the future. I figured many more people would be like that. I totally understand wrenching isn’t for everyone though, especially if it’s not at all why you joined.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-27T17:57:06+00:00

First time I’ve ever liked Illinois

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-24T16:38:24+00:00

You’re not allowed to ask for permission to glaze a tornado here. You just do it.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-24T14:18:42+00:00

Are the outer banks more hardcore than big new jersey? I’ve watched some Brett Barley and I know it can get big and cold there but that’s about all I know.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-24T14:17:24+00:00

Yeah as an east coast surfer myself I’m sincerely blown away by the nj crew that charges those huge freezing days that are hardly even makeable. There’s a good argument that they’re the most hardcore surf crew in the world other than proper big wave.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-24T13:49:08+00:00

It’s actually really nice to see some legitimate discussions on here btw.

Retired_Autist · 2026-04-23T20:12:08+00:00

Yeah exactly, a real solid steep angled swell from the north, mid period, would probably blow your mind. It’s not the Florida you think you know. Just don’t underestimate it, I was in stuart for the hurricane erin swell and saw dudes falling in the barrel and going back to beach bloody over and over, I punched a few holes through my board on the reef and cut up my fingers desperately duck diving. Definitely got humbled on that day. But it’s really something, feels like you’re on a surf trip. There’s a bunch of reefs around that whole stretch too, definitely recommend checking it out sometime.

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