Here's an short on-line surfing FAQ for beginners. However, it moves very quickly [read too quickly] from learning to catch a wave into competition moves, but it does have some good and interesting information. A good way to learn anything is to take a lesson. There are several instructors in the Santa Cruz area. Two well known teachers are Richard Schmidt's School of Surfing and Ed's Club Ed. Dylan's Santa Cruz Surf School specializes in lessons with a high teacher student ratio. AJ, at Cowell's Beach Surfshop is located right across the street from Cowells Beach. girlsAdventureOUT specializes in lessons for women. Check out the on-line version of Juice, Northern California's Surf magazine. Local surf news, stories and Great action photographs.