Any surfers, bodyboarders, or ocean swimmers? Anyone from around Orange County?

[xCxStylex]

I'm looking for lessons on bodyboarding / boogieboarding. Obviously, there are 1424123 surf shops all around that give surf lessons, but does anyone know of any instructors that can teach bodyboarding?

Only place I've found is http://www.myocsurflesson.com/bodyboarding which is a little steep for me $160 hr, especially since I already have a wetsuit and swim fins.

I'm also looking at learning to open swim in the ocean, mainly spotting riptides and learning how to swim and deal with them safely, but I think I found a meetup.com group that can teach me that for a nominal fee.

Also, if anyone has any resources (forums) they could point to me, I'd appreciate it as well

 

[gsellis]

Check with Jay Reale at ebodyboarding.com. Jay will know who. Tell him George Ellis sent you. Although.... (Jay and I competed together back in the 80's)

For ocean swimming, I would call the OC lifeguard service and ask. They teach all their guard and junior guard members and have daily swims. They were out at Huntington when we were there 2 years ago.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I learned to surf in 1994, my neighbor's 13 year old son taught me actually. First place I ever surfed was Huntington Beach north of the pier but I lived in Torrance at the time so Hermosa Beach Pier was my main spot until I moved to San Diego a few years later. It's not that hard, just takes a lot of practice. Longboards are easier to learn to surf on than the short performance oriented boards. Make sure you get a leash and use it. Also, get plenty of Sex Wax (or Sticky Bumps-I actually prefer this brand) in the right temp range for the water you will be surfing in and apply liberally to the top of your board.

 

[gsellis]

Adding... you can join and try in this forum

http://forums.ebodyboarding.com/forums/index.php?/forum/1-bodyboarding-discussion-news-and-photos/

Best strategy, start a thread and ask if anyone is willing to meet up somewhere and give tips and pointers to a new guy.