Ask Sandy Surfer

Ask questions about life and "Sandy Surfer" will answer. Not a doctor, lawyer, priest, psychologist or philosopher, Sandy will show how life's situations can be handled from a surfer's perspective.

Below are some recent letters submitted to Sandy Surfer, check out how Sandy's advice may be able to help you! If you would like to submit a letter to Sandy, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and your confidential submission will be read and reviewed by Sandy.

Dear Sandy,

I am doing a group project and my part is to find some safety tips on surfing. Could you please email me some of that info? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!!

Wannabe Surfer

Dear Surfer,

Check out our home page nav bar where it says Surfing Info. Big wave tips, Marine Safety tips and A.P.S. I. will start you out. If you need more specifics, i.e. beginning surfing safety tips, or advanced surfing safety tips, let me know and I'll get it right to you. Aloha, Sandy

P.S. 3 surfing basic tips: 1) Melama Ke Kai- is Hawaiian for respect the sea. 2) Never turn your back on the ocean. 3) ABC's of surfing- Always be cool. All situations including critical or pressure situations are handled best by remaining calm and keeping presence of mind.

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Dear Sandy,

I am sixteen years old and live with my parents in a small town in Minnesota. I want to surf in the worst way but my parents won't take me to the coast. I feel as if I am losing valuable time I am thinking about quitting school and going west. I don't know how much longer I can take being here. How can I get my parents to take me to the beach when all they want to do is work and stay in Minnesota.

Wanna be surfer Minnesota


Dear Wanna be,

Quitters do not make good surfers. If you want to become a surfer you have to learn surfing begins with respect and that includes respect for hard working parents such as you are fortunate to have. Stay in school listen to your parents and if you really want to surf start putting your energy towards a well defined goal. Get in shape for bottom turns by bicycling and paddling by swimming. Study the surfing videos, books and web sites such as this one and you will be ready to rip when you finally do get to the waves.

Sincerely,
Sandy Surfer


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Dear Sandy,

After surfing here in California for 34 years I have finally had it. Kooks are everywhere! In the last ten years it seems a sport that was really soulful has become a commercial circus and the guy with the most money wins. Beach accesses are being taken away, beach closures due to urban runoff are higher than ever and surf techs and the kooks that ride them have flooded surfing line-ups. How can a local deal with the BS that is going on and not end up flattening a guy’s tires or breaking his windshield?

Fed up Orange County


Dear Fed up,

You are suffering from a classic case of surf rage. Be aware if you take your frustrations out on others you may not need a wetsuit any more when you find yourself in hot water with the law. There are no waves in jail. No matter how many “kooks” you feel are surfing they may be a lot easier to deal with than jail mates. Try sharing the “aloha spirit” and you will find many of these “kooks” aren’t bad people at all they are just a little inexperienced. Experienced surfers such as you should conduct themselves on the highest plane by being thankful for all the waves of the past and helping to make surfing a better sport in the future.

If you would like to submit a letter to Sandy Surfer, please fill out the online form below. All submissions are kept completely confidential and we ask that you not use your real name.

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