What's a good career in the surfing world other then going pro.?
368484
Interestingly enough, the guys in the surf industry who make the best money are the reps.\n\nReps are the guys who "sell" the clothes/wetsuits/accessories to the surf shops and other retail stores. \n\nMostly it involves a lot of driving around with a car full of samples (be it sunglasses or wetsuits) to various shops, schmoozing with the shop managers and hanging with the kids who work at the counter. For the most senior reps at the biggest brands, it's big business - power lunches with senior buyers for major retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, etc.\n\nFor the majority of reps though, they also spend a lot of time at surf contests (usually lower rung reps, working their way up, handing out free tchotchkes), as well as "working the booth" at trade shows. Trade shows are huge opportunities, because the reps get to work directly with the retail buyers and show them their latest lines. Frequently they can get large orders signed right there in the booth (free beer and "booth girls" always helps, too). \n\nReps make their money on commission. If you're a rep for a large company, like Quiksilver, you can make fairly serious money (like any sales gig, you can make as much as you can sell). Some of the most affluent surfers in Orange County are reps. Orange County, BTW, is where almost every major surf company is headquartered in the US.  \n\nHOWEVER, there's a big catch. The surf industry is a fairly tiny world. You'd be amazed at how few people actually comprise this billion-dollar-plus business. Even more importantly though, it's a very closed, endemic group. They call it the Bro/Brah Network, and like the Old Boys Network in politics, it's a very tough crew to break into if you didn't grow up in Socal by the beach or spend years as an amateur or pro surfer. \n\nBut if you're serious, want to live the surf lifestyle, make really good money, surf when the waves are good, and hobnob with the who's who of the surf world, then here's my advice:\n\nMove to Socal. \n\nIf you're young, go to college in Socal (San Diego State is a breeding ground for the surf industry elite - if you're not a very good student, try Grossmont JC in San Diego or Orange Coast College in Orange County). \n\nIf school isn't your thing, then simply move to Newport or Huntington or San Clemente in Orange County or La Jolla or Pacific Beach in San Diego. Live by the beach. Surf everyday.\n\nThen, get a job at a surf shop. You'll meet EVERYONE, including all the reps who come in every day. Schmooze, be cool, hang out, keep your eyes and ears open, and learn the business. \n\nSooner or later an opportunity will open up. If you've got your s--t together, it'll be a no-brainer. Companies love ex-shop guys because they know how to talk the talk and really understand the business from the retail side. \n\nChances are your first gig will be a smaller startup, maybe a Hoven-esque sunglasses company. But once you're in, you're in. You'll go to the trade shows, the award shows, etc. \n\nThen, it's all about being good. If you can sell and know how to talk and schmooze, before you know it, you'll be at Quiksilver or O'Neill or Hurley, driving a BMW X5, pulling down a few hundred thousand a year, living in Newport, surfing the jettys every morning with the grommets, going on trips with your team riders, and basically living the life with free gear and a much fatter bank account.\n\nHowz that sound?
652987
There's a DVD called Turning Pro made by a professional diver. I got one from Extreme Sports Cafe - they have a website. Oh yeah, the film covers 3 categories of professional diving; archeaology (did I spell that right?), military diving and also deep-saturation oilfield diving which is what I think you are interested in. Good luck if you go for it... serious job, I'm thinking about it too!
284941
Try applying at sea world...
596280
Yeah, I play beach volleyball. It's sweet coz I can do what I love and I can get a sweet tan. I've been playing since I was about 13 when my dad dumped some sand into our old garden. I'm not good enough to turn pro, but I can dream.
263193
You can get loads of free surf stickers from company reps & marketing types. Trade shows are also good for picking up freebies.
482167
Most skateboards like to surf because most skaters live along the coastline which means their peer group is into surfing. I would think snowboarding would be easier to learn tho.
1149187
Lifeguard at a local pool?  Or find a job where some of your friends work.  Doing something that will prepare you for your future, or puts you in a place you want to spend time in.  Camp counselor sounds fun as well.
874104
Go into a field that you see as cool now! Struggle to float to the top of that field. Even if you don't get to the very top, you'll have pride in being a contribution to a cool job. And the money?  Well..let's hope you pick a field that's worthy of your consumerism.
316621
Surfing is not a water sport activity, its where you go somewhere else mentally and nothing else matters at all while you are out there sitting on your board.\n\nWhen you know how to surf and have the confidence in the water there is nothing better in this world. When you cant stand up on your board and you look like a goose, surfing sucks.\n\nLucky for me I know how to surf;)\n\nIt does take time, and it takes a lot of practice and determination. If youre starting out, you will know it is hard.  After a few months and you start getting your confidence up, every time you get in the water you will improve.\n\nReal surfers dont say Gnarly, maybe the posers do.
444866
BZ is a really good board,Manta will prob last the longest, toobs are good too. even if you are still starting off, try get something with a bat-tail, which makes it easier to do spinners(360s) that is the most basic move in bodyboarding. you will also need fins to help you paddle onto the waves, i recommend either "vipers","redley's" or "toobs blunt cuts", you will also need wax, a leash or cord, and if you want to avoid a rash on your abbs, a rash guard or vest.
561108
SURFING!!!!!!!\nI ENJOY THE BEACH: THE COOLING OCEAN WATER TOUCHING MY FEET AS I ENJOY THE HOT SAND AGAINST MY FEET!\nI LOVE TO CONCENTRATE AND LOOK AHEAD OF ME...THE VIEW, THE SKY, THE SEAGULLS FLYING ABOVE MY HEAD! THE BEAUTIFUL SUN WHEN ITS SETTING AND ALL...SO GORGEOUS. \n\nI always enjoyed the beach. I appreciated the ocean since I was young. I learned to surf with my dad in Long Beach, California (I was 4 years old...)\nNow at age 18, I compete with the super hero chik HAMILTON whose arm was bitten off by a shark in 2001,and the cool girl pro surfer (besides myself...) JEANI DEAN-MYLE! they are coolest in the surfing world!\nI have a puerto rican boyfriend, who is also one of the BIG BOYS in the surfing world. The coolest thing about surfing and being sponsored by your favorite brands like BILLABONG< HURLEY< And  RIP CURL stores is TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD!\nI have been to Australia, Africa, Germany, Italy (I am from there) France, Ireland, Greece, Brittain, and the most beautiful place I have ever known Puerto Rico! Mexico is the funnest though!\nSUMMER TIME IS MY FAVORITE.\nI am looking forward for the 2006 championship for RIP CURL finalists (i am amongst them!!!!) in GERMANY!!!! wish me luck!!!*wink*wink*
1013720
It depends on the kind of surfing, but if you are talking about competitions then definitely Kelly Slater. Laird Hamilton is awesome on big waves, and the Irons brothers are pretty good too.
100377
Go to college, get the basics down. You'll get some pointers there that might help you figure out your path.\n\nYou can follow your heart and use your brain. Whatever it is that you want to do, artist, bricklayer, teacher, master surfer... anything can be done with more finesse and a better understanding if you get educated. Plus, you can get more respect for your ideas if people know it comes from an educated person.
516227
Another option is SSI.   The skills are compatible with PADI and NAUI.  The real learning comes after the initial classes as you dive more and take more skill building classes.  Many people decided on certification purely by price.  Pay attention instead to the level of service that the shop provides and the options they have for purchasing gear. My shop wasnt the cheapest but they applied half of every equipment rental I made towards the purchase of my own gear, saving me hundreds of dollars.
923696
It's called "Surf School". Check the link out.
498039
The kind that works best for you. The type of board that is best is totally subjective because everyone surfs differently and is built differently.
994236
Yes, why not it is a very good and unique career. I too agree that it need very hardwork but u can do it.All the best for your bright future.