Surfing

Question
Hello,
I know it is kind of late, but I have some questions for a project.
What equipment do you need?
Where (in your opinion) is the best place to go?
How dangerous is it?
Is there a professional team for it? (Like how they have the NFL)

Answer
To surf, you need a surfboard that suits your height, weight, experience and where you're surfing, plus a leash to attach you to the board. Then you need some surf wax for traction and/or some deck grip which is stuck on the top of the board.

If you are surfing in warm water, you need some sunscreen and boardshorts and bikini. A rash vest is optional but protects from rashes from the wax plus sunburn.

If you are surfing in colder water you need a wetsuit. Wetties can come in all sorts of permutations. In the UK we use a 3/2 (3mm on the body, 2mm on the bits that need to move more eg shouders) in the summer, and in winter (about October to about April) a 5/4 (or 5/4/3 or even 6/4) plus boots, gloves and hood. In the US you can surf in boardies in Cali and Florida and wear more rubber as you go north!

Earplugs are a good idea to protect against damage from cold water (the bone in the inner ear can grow over after a while ouch!).

The best places for surfing the world are Hawaii and Bali, in current opinion. Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing and Bali is cheap, warm and beautiful. I haven't been to either; my personal favourite would be Australia.

Surfing isn't that dangerous provided you use common sense and learn about the ocean (currents, tides etc.) and keep your wits about you eg checking for rocks. Big-wave surfing is dangerous but people train very hard for it and accidents are a minimum. Google the Mavericks contest this year to see some carnage at the contest site though! People got washed across the beach by rogue waves.

Surfing isn't a team sport, though there is the World Games and there are national teams which compete in such things. The main competition circuit for individuals is run by the ASP (aspworldtour.com) and crowns a World Champion every year (men and women).

Hope that helps.