Learning a new sport is far from easy but it is also very rewarding. Just when you think you're too old and your body is going to break into a million pieces at the slightest fall, you get that ball into the hole or make an almost perfect double axle -- it's utterly exhilarating! All you really need is indomitable courage and before you know it, you're practically unstoppable. Golf was a preoccupation I really wanted to do for a long time now but after I conquered that sport I knew I had to try something that would give me the heebie-jeebies like no other physical activity and that was surfing.



As a child I wondered how those guys stayed afloat on those funny-looking boards. Perhaps a part of me still thinks about the same thing. The only difference between little me and the present me is that now I can find out first hand what the deal is with surfing. Before I start to paddle out to the open sea, the first step is to get my huge ass in tight surfing swim wear so the sharks won't mistake me for their hefty lunch. The second step is picking a surfboard, which, I hear, is just as hard as waiting for the perfect wave. Thanks to the manufacturers and designers at www.softsurfboards.com, buying your first board isn't an impossible feat anymore. Soft surfboards, frequently called "foamies," are made of lightweight yet durable foam which makes them unbelievably buoyant. The Liquid Shredder soft surfboard technology enables beginners to catch a wave with no trouble at all. The best thing about this kind is that it's not expensive yet it looks a lot like a regular fiber glass board. I mean, what's the point of learning on a fancy board if you crack your skull on it the first day, right? So trust me, stick to the foamies while you learn to surf -- they won't cause irremediable injuries, they're easy to use, and you get to save a few bucks in the process. The 4' and 5' boards are the best choices for children's use while an 8' makes a sensible adult board. The Classic 5' weighs around 80 lbs while the Long 8'2 is at 180 lbs. Select from other standard foamies in various colors from a price range of $139 to $399 and avail of the site's free shipping packages.

After winging it on the soft surfboards for a while, getting a decent second hand board at a discount shopping price isn't too shabby. Before you buy yourself a swank board, you might want to test the waters with a slightly beat up kind that won't pain you so much if it breaks in half. There are quite a few to choose from at www.livetosurf.com and when the time comes and you start your own collection of boards, you can sell your stuff through them, too.

For slightly seasoned and professional surfers, pick one that suits your personality best. The short board is probably the most common type of surfboard because it enables a surfer to ride a wave with ease. The blue-striped Epoxy Thruster is a classic example and goes for only $495 online. Another type of surfboard is the long board, also called the Malibu -- a more rounded-nose version of the short board. The Mini Mal Nugget 8'10 has additional paddling glide, making nose riding almost effortless without the need for extra length. If you want a thicker board, go for the fish. The slick white polyester fish surfboard is a 6' wave vehicle with a 19" width and shallow tail template for only $420. Finally, there are the big guns -- much bigger than the average short board used in massive waves. The longest kind are as long as 12' and those are used for easier maneuvering in unpredictable colossal tides. The 7'2 FunGun epoxy board makes an awesome board for tough riders and hollow surfs. All of these surfboards are available for customization at www.shapes4u.com.

Whether you're 50 or five years old, it's never too late (or early) to plant those feet on the board. Rip the waves ala Kelly Slater and his posse. With the right surfboard, pipe dreams do come true.