Bodyboards around Port A?

A little introduction:

I'm 58, and my wife and I are hardcore PA beach people. We live at Lake Travis, near Austin, and go boating and swimming as much as possible in the summers. We take a couple of trips down to PA every year and just slum on the beaches, setting up a canopy off of Beach Access Road 3 and hanging out on the beach for 4 or 5 days straight, basically alternating between swimming and napping.

Fave hotel is Sandcastle. Usually eat at Castaway's or Moby Dick's. In the old days, I ate at Yankee's back when it was across from the IGA. Yankee was a character; I had many great conversations with him, and never got tired of watching him twirl that whiskey bottle he carried in his hip pocket.

I've personally been coming to PA for over 30 years, usually for fishing, either on charters or bringing my own boat down, which I don't do any more. I love PA, and I'm not too happy about all the yuppiefication that's swept into the area the past few years. The "sleepy little fishing village" atmosphere is still there, but is getting harder to find. Sometimes we go to Castaway's right after they open at 3 p.m., when they're still deserted, and sit on the patio with a mojito and some cold boiled shrimp.

Once I tried one of those styrofoam bodyboards they sell by the zillions in the souvenir stores. No luck. No matter what I did, the waves would just roll under me. Come to think of it, I never did see anybody actually surfing on one of those things out there. I'm sure I've seen some of you people surfing near HCP.

I'll never be a hot dogger, but sometime before I die, I want to stand up on a surfboard and ride a wave. While I've studied surfing quite a bit, I've never actually done it, and I was wondering if a bodyboard really isn't the right thing to use around PA; maybe a rented longboard would be better...? I'm 6', 200-210 lbs., by the way.

Hope you don't mind the long post. I'm stuck here at home with the flu, in freezing weather, and reading this forum makes me close my eyes and think about that warm PA sun... and you seem to be cool people who really appreciate PA as much as I do.

Seeya on the beach,
Ruark

Forget the body board. At your size and weight the waves would have to be pretty big and powerful to get you going. if you really want to try surfing, I'd suggest you go into Port A Surfco and have a talk with Chris. Not sure if he actually rents boards, but he could point you in the right direction. You probably should rent something between 9'6" and 10 feet and get it as thick as possible. The better it floats the more fun you will have in the beginning. One things for sure, after you stand up the first time you will be hooked for life. Hope you kick the flu and feel better soon.

Ruark,
I decided to finally try surfing (mainly because I wanted a fun way to exercise) a few months ago and called Port A Surfco and set up a lesson with one of their guys. They supplied the board and I think the lesson was at least an hour with most of the time in the water. I got up several times with the help of my instructor. The first time I rode a wave, I will never forget....it was awesome and I was hooked! I am an older gal and none of my friends are into this but I totally love it! I now have a custom board and wetsuit. Even though you have studied surfing, I highly recommend taking a lesson. My life "has been changed" since I started in August!

I second the others. Stop by Port a Surf Co and chat with Chris. He is very honest and straightforward with advice on what will work with your size and skill level. They also offer lessons which are great for folks that have never really been out there. Be patient, it's a tough sport to get the hang of but the payoff is SO worth it!

Thanks - yeah, I'll definitely go by Chris's and talk to him and rent a softboard before I hit the water. I have a pretty good picture by now of what I need to do. Shouldn't be hard to do - and I've spent 30+ years playing and swimming in the surf, so I'm no stranger to it.

The hard part is WAITING! I'm 4-5 hours from the ferry, get down to the beach maybe twice a year. How do you deal with being "surfless"? I guess, hang around the house in shorts, sandals and tropical shirts, practice your popup, read surfline.com, etc.

Seeya,
Ruarkl

Ruark,

I, too, live inland but I love to surf. I also don't have as many opportunities to get down to the beach. But I will tell you this, you will always appreciate the opportunities to surf no matter what the surf is like because, for us inlanders, it's a privilege to surf. So, get out there and try it! I'm 6'2", 240lbs and I still get up. I'm no professional nor am I even close but I have a ton of fun. After catching a few waves my attitude is thoroughly adjusted.

If you see me on the beach come grab some waves with me and my kids because it's always more fun to surf with friends.