Surfing: One of the coolest hobbies anyone can have, right? Are you a keen surfer? You'll enjoy listening to someone with a ton of experience. And if you're hoping to get into it, you will benefit from some great advice. My guest today is from Madrid, Spain. He has been surfing for over 25 years. Welcome, Ruben Martin. Episode highlights: [01:40] - started surfing as a teenager, canary islands[03:10] - his brother is a pro skater, compares skating to surfing[04:05] - advice for someone wanting to start. To be great is technical, but just start[04:56] - safety aspect of surfing. Advice on currents in the sea, Swim parallel to shore[06:40] - What board and wetsuit he recommends based on height & weight and skill[07:10] - Start with bigger board, 8/9 ft, helps with balance. Don't use small pro board[09:20] - He uses different boards based on how the waves are, has used 5"10 board[11:10] - 3/4m in Costa Rica, biggest wave he's done[11:38] - Took professional lessons from a great instructor in Sopelana, North Spain[13:00] - In one week a person can start catching waves and get some good feelings[13:32] - Lessons in Sopelana around €20-30 a number of years ago[14:25] - Explains method of teaching surfing[15:31] - Feeling of catching his first wave, a feeling you never forget[17:05] - lived in california 2 years, studied there and saw a surfing instructor school[17:56] - speaks about different surfing spots in spain, galicia, cadiz etc[19:20] - Portugal: Lisbon, Carcavelos etc. Great spots for surfing there[20:50] - surfing in canary islands, gran canaria, tenerife. Sometimes a walk of 30 minutes to the beach, some beaches inaccessible by car[23:00] - sometimes the waves aren't what you thought, so you have to move to another place, or sometimes you just have to change plans entirely and can't surf at all[24:35] - Some cool spots in california to surf: Huntington beach, Oceanside, Malibu, Venice beach, Redondo Beach, Tressels, Carlsbad. Favourite spot is Swamis, Encinitas.[26:28] - Huntington beach. WSL professional contest.[27:00] - Artificial wave machine near his house in Madrid, Spain[27:50] - feeling of real waves in nature irreplaceable[28:37] - working in sporting events, wants to save and reach his goal of living by the ocean and living off surfing, open an surf school[29:30] - what qualifications are needed to open a surf school or teach? Each country has its own rules[31:06] - social dynamics of surfing, great way to make friends[31:55] - Speaks about vibe / type of people drawn to santander, galicia, swamis, etc.[32:45] - Surfing fire in California, worked there as a surf instructor, since they needed someone who also spoke Spanish[36:00] - he will be back on the show to advertise his new surfing school[36:29] - Has been to both pacific & caribbean side of costa rica, preferred surfing on the caribbean side[37:22] - resorts for surfing or air bnb? Air bnb / own accommodation better, then find your own spots[37:50] - Scariest experiences when surfing[39:57] - important to be a strong swimmer to be a surfer[40:40] - gives final words of advice to those wanting to startRecommended surf school in North Spain that Ruben used:  w: www.escueladesurfsopelana.com