What supplies does a beginner surfer need?

My son has told me that he really wants to learn how to surf. Sure he knows how to body board and everything but since he got really good grades last year and he was really good over summer vacation, I'm thinking about buying him the gear he needs to start surfing. What should I get him? Thanks Everybody. Have a nice day!What supplies does a beginner surfer need?
I hope he enjoys surfing! I started surfing in 1966 when I was 14 years old, and haven't stopped yet. If he is just starting, getting his own board or other gear is way down at the bottom of the ';to-do'; list.





Before he even thinks about surfing, there are some things you should understand. Surfing is an ocean sport, that should only be practiced by persons who are already competent ocean swimmers. Swimming in a pool is neat, but it's not ocean swimming, with undertows, rip tides and sometimes BIG waves. I have seen lots of great pool swimmers get rescued. So, my first tip on how to surf is to make sure he is at home in the ocean. It doesn't matter how fast he can swim in a pool or run on a track, it matters how well can he swim in a rip current in overhead waves.There are way too many dangerous people in the water now. They are a danger to themselves and other surfers, don't let him join their ranks.





Lessons are the best way to start. Lessons can come from a professional instructor, or surfing family members or experienced surfing friends. He has to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don't want to drown him), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave. The last thing experienced surfers want is for inexperienced people to just grab a board, rush into the surf and get in our way. Lessons shorten the learning curve significantly. And they help keep ignorant, un-prepared kooks out of the water and out of the way of more experienced surfers.





Beginners should take advantage of renting boards and wetsuits while taking lessons. If it turns out he doesn't like surfing, you haven't wasted a whole lot of money on gear that he is not going to use. When you are ready to buy, don't waste your time on line, go to a good local surf shop to discuss his size (weight is import, height isn't), skill level and local wave conditions. After almost 43 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice from good local shops in the places where i surf.





Almost ALL instructors will start students off on a longboard. It is just too difficult for most people to learn how to surf on a short board. Most get quickly discouraged, and just quit. Now, over the years, I have seen some young surfers start out on short boards and master them in time. But it's just common sense to learn on a long board.





When you are ready to buy please avoid popouts in general, and especially popouts made in third world country sweat shops by People who have probably never seen the ocean.





Here is a list of sweat shop popouts:


http://bp3.blogger.com/_hPACOtZKKko/RkST鈥?/a>





And here is why to avoid ALL popouts:http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm





Anybody who would give you SPECIFIC advice as to what size or type board to buy on-line is foolish. Anybody who would take that advice is more foolish





And, I know there are lots of nice kids who want to share information with you on line. But don't take the advice from youngsters, who may know even less than you do about surfing, a surfboard is a big investment. Please read through the BS that lots of people throw at you on line. You don't know anywhere near enough about surfboards to by one from an on-line web site without getting disappointed. Don't waste your time on line, go straight to the source, a good local shop