Going out in bigger surf

[Matt P]

First, what are some tips to not be as scared if you are going out in bigger surf that you have heard about or used in the past?

and what is the biggest you have ever been out in?

[gcpoop]

i guess just becoming familiar with bigger waves is the first step, get out of your comfort zone (as daunting as it may sound) and you'll get results. The more you experience the better off you'll be when the swells up, so i guess having an open mind about it is the main factor. oh and if your in sizey swells try to catch the last waves of the set or things can go downhill really fast haha.

[JONNO313]

Pregression is the key. Know your skill level and your limits. Expereience is what is going to help in the big stuff. So basically what Im saying is "don't go from 2 ft waves to 8ft ledges over night. Work your confidence up to the point you feel you can handle the size. Adrenaline is what we all strive for, it is why we bboard, so by all means you will feel nervous and scared at times but isn't that what we all enjoy? The best part is once you have charged that first bomb set on a huge day, you instantly gain more experience, your confidence boosts.

A few issues back in riptide, there was a great write up about this. Ill go dig out my mags and find out exactly what issue it was for you.

[southern_rewards]

My biggest is 12 to 15 foot cronulla point, the whole east coast was maxing out.
But the is no way that i would launch into it straight away, i would even surf waves that big now.
It took years of progression is bigger waves each time to get to that confidence level.

Just wait for the bigger stuff each time to get a few beatings.

Like if your limit is 4-6 foot ATM, Just get a many beat downs as you can handle at that size, then when you loose fear of waves in that range, take it up to 6-8 foot and so on.

It helps if your at the same spot too. Like a local reef or point that you know well.

[Conjob]

Yeh a local spot always help. I feel 100x more comfortable going out say DY point as opposed to deadmans or something like that.

Dont really know the biggest ive been out, ive been out at i would say 8 or so ft but then been in waves of much more consequence but smaller size.

I would say just work your way up, progression. Its not going to happen over night. But you have to learn to enjoy the thrashings, learn to stay 100% calm when getting thrown around, when you hit the bottom and you will be perfectly fine.

[caspian]

I find in bigger surf it's the basics that matter the most.

Confidence and local knowledge of a big spot will help you a lot. Be calm when you get dumped, pick the place (and time) to paddle out. Don't panic when a set comes and you're on the inside. Watch your breathing and your paddling- don't thrash about. Unless if you're paddling in at 20 foot teahupoo it's pretty unlikely you're going to die.

My biggest was rather massive (well, 10ft) Jake's Point a few years. I was way over my head; a shame, as I'm pretty comfortable in 8 foot waves now. One day I'll have to go back and make Jake's my bitch.

Aside from the basic stuff, you shouldn't need any tips. I didn't get any advice, I just slowly got more comfortable and confident. A natural progression is probably the best way to do it.

[JonoIsMad.com]

Also how old are you.
when i was 13 it felt so much bigger while these days in the bigger stuff i just get silly.
the biggest i surfed was new years at the superbank...that first day was insane...only a couple of people paddled out the rest were tow teams im never doing anything that stupid again.
But as everyone has said progression is the key and just get super syked up and go that wave....and by the end of the day you will be laughing and charging closeouts as a joke

[JonGlanville]

the best advice i can give is, know how to swim.

[caspian]

the best advice i can give is, know how to swim.

That as well. I remember when I lost my board when it was maybe 6 foot at a local break. I was about 13 (and new to bbing), it was shit-your-pants scary. If you aren't confident that you can swim yourself out of trouble then don't bother going in, it's really not worth it.

[Comptee]

the best advice i can give is, know how to swim.

That as well. I remember when I lost my board when it was maybe 6 foot at a local break. I was about 13 (and new to bbing), it was shit-your-pants scary. If you aren't confident that you can swim yourself out of trouble then don't bother going in, it's really not worth it.

I just bob around when I haven't got my board, I find it quite fun without a board for some reason

[Conjob]

the best advice i can give is, know how to swim.

That as well. I remember when I lost my board when it was maybe 6 foot at a local break. I was about 13 (and new to bbing), it was shit-your-pants scary. If you aren't confident that you can swim yourself out of trouble then don't bother going in, it's really not worth it.

I just bob around when I haven't got my board, I find it quite fun without a board for some reason

He is talking about surf over 3ft...

[captain6230]

the biggest tip i can give you is catch the first decent wave you can as soon as you get out. if you dont you can lose your rhythm and sit around for hours not catching any thing.
and another good tip if its a beachy is on that first wave jump off your board at the end, body surf it and prepare for a pounding
whats the biggest surf youve been out in?

[Liam]

i rekon getting worked in waves your new to gets you use to is like if you do it about 3-4 times you figure out that its not that bad and you just brace yourself and dont panic


i tihnk the worst thing is in bigger waves when a set comes through and just massive wash and trying to get under it with a good duckdive coz if you stuff your duckdive 9 out of 10 times you get pumped

[Conjob]

^^^

Nothing like miss timing that first duckdive to have 3 more waves land on your head, wash you in then when your beaten and battered you start working your way back out, to have the next set arrive and once again destroy you

[Comptee]

I just bob around when I haven't got my board, I find it quite fun without a board for some reason

He is talking about surf over 3ft...

yeah, so am I con