Wave Riders: Essentials

Read: Wave Riders: Ocean Motion on Texas' Coast

Get on Board

When you’re ready to hit the waves on your own, you need a board that matches surf conditions and your experience, says Kimery Duda, Executive Director of The Expedition School in Austin and an avid surfer. Longer boards are good for beginners, and foam boards are more forgiving in wipeouts. Their disadvantage is board rash; rash-guard shirts and shorts are a must, plus Vaseline to cover any skin that still comes in contact with the board. If you miss a spot, diaper-rash cream provides relief, and yes, real surfers use it. (Who knew ducking into the store for Desitin could make you look cool?) Boards made of epoxy or fiberglass are a lot easier on your skin, but tough on the shins. Being in shape makes you a better surfer, she adds. Swimming, yoga, stand-up paddle boarding (an activity possible on just about any body of water), or core strength conditioning will help get you in surf-shape.
Local surf shops are great sources for tips on surf spots and wave conditions. Texas beaches get two types of waves, Duda says: wind swell and ground swell. Wind swells are, of course, from wind, and shorter in duration. Ground-swell waves are created
by tropical depressions or hurricanes, with higher wave heights and more time between each wave. That, Duda admits, is “when all of us call in sick to work and wax up our surfboards.

Surfing

Summer lessons are held at Texas Surf Camps at Port Aransas, Galveston, and Corpus Christi in June, July, and August. Register by the day or week. Also offered are overnight camps, which include a full week of surf instruction and additional activities. Call 361/749-6956; www.texassurfcamps.com.

Year-round Surf Lessons

South Padre Surf Company offers camps and lessons on South Padre Island.
C-Sick Surfin’ in Galveston provides private lessons for up to four people, and will take a larger group with two weeks notice.
Island Surf Camp offers private and group lessons in Galveston.
South Coast Surf and Fitness gives private and group lessons in Galveston and Surfside.
The Expedition School in Austin.

When You Go

Port Aransas offers a wide variety of accommodations, from luxury condos to funky little hotels, and nice restaurants to satisfy your post-surfing appetite. Call 800/45-COAST. For information regarding Galveston Island, reach the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 888/GAL-ISLE. Contact the Corpus Christi CVB at 800/766-2322. And, if you’re headed for South Padre Island, call 800/767-2373.

See the full article in the June 2009 issue.

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