Some sports are more accommodating to the beginner than others. Surfing is not one of them. Surf camps and/or intructors are hard to come by (at least in this region of the surf world). People are ellusive when telling you where to find surf. Even surf shops, despite their intent to separate you from some of your $$$, are not always forthcoming with information. And even when you are trying your best you're going to be called a kook. Don't despair. We were ALL kooks once. It is a rite of passage you just have to bear. But trust us when we say it is worth it. Surfing is a sport unlike any other. The dues are intense, but the pay-off is immense. Welcome to the club!

The most important thing you can do is to study up before paddling out for the first time. Ignorance is a general cause of conflict in the line-up, so learn all you can before you hit the water.

Now is the time to introduce you to the surfing etiquette Bill of Rights and Lefts as presented by Surfline's Surfology. The bills are listed in short form below, but I encourage you to go to Surfology to read about them in detail. The site in general is loaded with valuable information, including a glossary, online "surf school," tips on meteorology, etc.

Bill of Rights and Lefts

1. Pick the right spots for your ability and attitude.
2. Don't drop in on or snake your fellow surfer.
3. When paddling out, stay out of hte way of riders on waves.
4. Learn to take turns.
5. Respect the vibe in the line-up.
6. Always aid another surfer in trouble.
7. When traveling, respect the local surfers.
8. Don't use your surfing advantages to abuse your fellow surfers.
9. Be responsible for your equipment and respectful of others'.
10. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your surfing and that of your fellow surfer.

Forecasting tips for the NW

Start by visiting the Oregon Surf Forecast Tools for links. In short, if you want to know what the weather and waves are doing right now, check the bouy reports, beach cams and satellite images. If you want to know the wave forecast for today and the next few days, use the Coastal Waters Forecast and the Navy Wave Analysis Model. As far as tides go, some breaks are more affected by tidal influence than others. Get yourself a tide book from your local surf shop or use these online tide tables.

Interpreting the numbers

When reading buoy data, wave height is important, but the wave period and swell direction are probably more telling of the actual surf conditions. A 6 foot swell with a short period of 8 seconds will equate to smaller surf than a 4 foot swell at 20 seconds. The longer the period the bigger and cleaner the waves will be. You want small wind waves, too. That is an indication of how junky the surf will be. If the wind waves are the same or bigger than the swell, that's not a good sign. Consult the Oregon Surf Spots page for advice on ideal conditions for a given spotmany of Oregon's more popular breaks.

All of the info available to us these days is great, but obsessing over the data is going to make you crazy and cost you a lot of great surf sessions. And it is important to keep in mind that most of Oregon's surf spots are beach breaks, not reefs, and are therefore very fickle even under similar conditions. Basic rule of thumb, just go!

Links to learn more....

Surfline's Surfology Required reading for any beginner!

Stormsurf.com Surf forecast tutorials