Looking to get into surfing?

Maybe you have seen it on social media, or maybe your closest friends keep disappearing off at the drop of a hat to return with stories that make you jealous every time you hear them, getting in to surfing can be a real minefield with people looking to take your hard earned money at every point (don't worry, they got me as well, but more about that later) but it could also be the best decision you ever make.

Here at firstmasonicdistrict we just want to help as many people as possible get into surfing. Without sounding to much like a "dude" surfing has changed our lives. It's kept us fit and healthy for the past 15 years and there has not been a treadmill or exercise bike in sight. Plus we can't think of many better places to spend our spare time. So this is just our tips, tricks and some friendly advice about getting into surfing.

Go and have a lesson.

My first piece of advice would be go and have a surf lesson, you don't want to go out and buy all the gear you think you need only to find out you hate the sea, or for it to be the wrong size/style, this will really slow down your progression into surfing.

A good instructor will teach you all the basics including how to keep safe in the surf and will hopefully get you standing up in your first session, for many this can be the first step in a hobby that will take you all over the planet in search of perfect waves.

If you are on the south coast in Devon check out Discovery surf school:

https://firstmasonicdistrict.com/

Or if your in Cornwall check out Westcountry surf school at watergate bay:

https://firstmasonicdistrict.com/

Or if you are feeling really adventurous and want to learn in warmer water check out our friends at Star Surf Camps:

https://firstmasonicdistrict.com/

Find a local surf shop.

Now, i cannot speak for all surf shops but here at Mango we really do just want to help, be that if you are spending money with us or not. We can use our years of experience to get you the correct board, the right wetsuit or just give advice on the best tide to surf the local beaches. 

When i bought my first surfboard age 16 i did not have a clue and the shop owner probably saw me coming a mile away. He hooked me up a great deal on a perfect board, for some reason it took me almost 6 months to even stand up once. I still have that surfboard, it's a 6'10 gun and it would be more suited to 10ft tubes at pipeline that 1ft mush at Bantham. You can rest assured at Mango we will never try and sell a board that is not right just to make some money. 

We love to talk surf so we try to make or customers feel as comfortable as possible, and if you are not into the surf scene and are getting dragged in by a partner there can be up to 4 dogs in the shop at any time. Win Win we think!!

Buying your first surfbaord

I will try and keep this concise as it could easily turn into a small novel.

• Do your research, learn about the different types of surfboards, ask advice from friends, your surf instructors or local surf shops. Remember knowledge is power.
• 2nd hand boards and sellers can be dangerous, i understand a board for €30 is way cheaper that the others but a 6'8 gun is probably not the right board for your 3rd surf.
• As a beginner volume is your friend.
• Dont go to short to soon, your friends may mock you for getting a 7ft9 mini mal but trust me, in the long term you will be the one laughing when your catching more waves and have a better style than all of them.
• Once you have chosen your board just surf, as much as you can. The best way to improve is to catch as many waves as possible. 
• Have fun and see where surfing takes you.

Contact us:
At Mango we love to surf, so if you need any more help about which model or size will be best for you just drop us a call, an email or a facebook message. we want to help find you that magic board, set of fins or wetsuit:


Phone: 033 0001 0173

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: firstmasonicdistrict