The Purple Guide to Learning Surfing in 10 Days
A 10-Day On-Ramp to Your First Surfable Wave — No Hype, No Hidden Costs, Just a Real Plan
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
A concrete, no-nonsense 10-day plan for total beginners — what to do, what to expect, and how to know if surfing is for you.
About this book
Surfing looks effortless from the shore, but the first time you try it, you'll quickly learn it's a sport of awkward, humbling, and weirdly addictive failures. Most beginners quit because nobody told them what to actually do on day one — and they either book an expensive lesson without preparation or paddle out with a board that's completely wrong for them.<br><br>This guide is your honest friend in your ear: ten days, one chapter per day, no vague inspiration. You'll learn what the first session really feels like (spoiler: a lot of sitting, a little paddling, and one small win), how to build your core technique step-by-step, and what gear you can borrow or rent vs. buy at each budget tier.<br><br>By day ten, you'll have caught a wave, stood up, and — just as importantly — you'll know whether surfing is worth the ongoing time and money. The guide includes a self-assessment checklist, a gear comparison table, practice checklists, a progress milestones chart, troubleshooting for the day-9 plateau, and six real community pathways to continue. No one can promise you'll surf like a pro in ten days. This plan promises you'll leave with a real, repeatable skill — and an honest answer to the question: 'Is this worth it?'
Reader Reviews
Matthew Hall
★★★★★I bought this on a whim and honestly didn't expect much from a 10-day e-book. What I got was a very clear, honest plan. Day 1 was exactly my experience: I sat on the board, couldn't paddle straight, and finally rode a wave lying down on my stomach — I was stoked. The gear comparison in day 3 saved me from buying a wetsuit I didn't need yet. Only giving 3 stars because I live in Chicago, and the plan assumes you can get to a beach regularly — which made some days hard to complete. But the content itself is solid.
Ashley Wilson
★★★★★This is the first guide that didn't make me feel like a moron for not knowing how to stand up on a board immediately. The first-day chapter was spot on — I literally followed it, and the pop-up drill on day 5 made the actual moment click. The checklist on day 2 helped me realize I could rent a board for $20 per session instead of buying one. 4 stars because I wish there were photos, but the prose is clear enough.
Nicholas Jones
★★★★★I appreciate that this book doesn't overpromise. It tells you that day 1 will be awkward and it absolutely was. The milestone table on day 7 was useful for managing my own expectations — I was exactly where it said I'd be. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that some chapters feel like they assume you live near a surf spot with easy access. I had to drive 40 minutes each way which made the 10-day timeline feel short. But that's not the book's fault.
Jennifer Perez
★★★★★I'm a 46-year-old who has always been curious about surfing but terrified of looking silly. This book was my gentle push. The first-day writing felt like a friend walking next to me, telling me what to expect. The pop-up tutorials were clear, and I caught my first whitewater wave on day 4. Ten days later, I stood up for 3 seconds before falling — and I didn't care, because I did it. I've already told my sister to buy this. Worth every penny.
George Adams
★★★★★As a total beginner with zero knowledge, this was the perfect on-ramp. I loved that day 1 was just about feeling the water and catching a wave on your stomach — it set me up for success. The gear table in day 3 was a lifesaver; I rented a foam board for the entire week for the price of one lesson. The progress table on day 7 kept me honest — I'm exactly where it says, and that's fine. A fantastic kickstart.
Melissa Rodriguez
★★★★★This guide is the real deal. No fluff, no 'you can conquer any wave' nonsense. The first-day chapter alone was worth it — I knew I'd swallow water, fall a lot, and just sit there half the time. The technique breakdowns on day 4 and 5 made all the difference. By day 8, I stood up on a wave for the first time — only for 2 seconds, but it happened. I've recommended this to everyone I know who's been 'thinking about trying surfing.' Just do it — with this book.