Surfing (Hawaiian: he'e nalu, "wave-sliding") is a very popular recreational activity and sport. Surfers are propelled across the water by the force of waves, while standing on a flat, wide board.

Surfing involves riding waves while standing up on a surfboard. A surfer paddles the surfboard from the beach out behind the breaking waves. The surfer then paddles back towards the shore in an attempt to 'catch a wave'. Once a wave has picked up the surfer and surfboard, the surfer stands up on the board in various ways and is carried towards the shore. In competition, performance is assessed from style and feats on the board.

Surfing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is now practiced pretty much everywhere that has a coastline with waves. The sport has a World Series and has become a multi million dollar industry.

Shortboard 5-7 foot
tricks: cutbacks, getting tubed, airs off the lip.

Funboard 7-8
tricks: similar to shortboard.

Longboard 8-14 foot
tricks: nose-riding, hanging 5, hanging 10, getting tubed, helicopters.

Bodyboarding

The board is usually in the 38-44 inch range and is made of foam, typically with a slick, 'surlyn' bottom of some sort and shaped to a hydrodynamic form. Riders ride prone (on their stomachs) or drop-knee (on one knee). Riders typically wear fins to propel them better for catching waves. Bodyboarding is geared towards more radical manoeuvresincluding aerials off the top of the wave: el rollo, 360, ARS, backflip, cutbacks, getting tubed, inverts, airs.

Kneeboarding

Done on a board around 4 feet in length while kneeling on both knees; the technique has some advantages over bodyboarding for some manoeuvres like riding the "tube".

River Boarding

Surfing on a river that has tidal bore waves such as the River Severn. Can be done with both a surfboard and a bodyboard.

Skimboarding

You ride the waves breaking on the shore. The skimboard can come in various shapes from a round circle to bullet shape.

Bodysurfing

This involves riding the wave with no board at all. The body is used as the surface which will glide on top of the water.

Recommended Clothing

To go surfing or bodyboarding in jeans or other regular clothing would be somewhat of a challenge, but it is being done. Some hardy creatures surf just in T-shirts and shorts. However, the best attire for these vigoruos sports is a wetsuit which gives you hours of fun.

Surfing: A Beginner's Manual
Wayne Alderson

This book provides a beginner''s guide to sur fing, and includes chapters on equipment, basic manoeuvres, advanced manoeuvres, safe surfing, waves and weather, and bo ard maintenance. '

Wayne Alderson's book covers all the important issues necessary to give anyone who wants to start surfing a fun, safe and informed introduction to this sport. The book takes the beginner through the fundamentals in good detail with clear photographs and illustrations.

It also covers all the ancillary issues such as equipment selection, safety and surfing weather in practical detail. Above all it is easy and fun to read. With more advanced techniques also included it provides support even to intermediate or advanced surfers wanting another angle on surfing at their level. Read, surf and enjoy.

Find out where to surf and which surf shops to go to. This book should annoy a few locals, as it gives great detail about known spots and indicates 'secret spots.' A must for anyone without a surf break outside their door or anyone who wants to explore new beaches. If you know what youre doing this book gives you a chance to find less crowded waves.