Sort:  

It's a lot harder than it looks, unfortunately. If my dad hadn't taught me when I was young, I'm not sure how long it would take me to pick it up. While we were in Costa Rica, I worked a bit to teach my wife, and I was surprised she picked it up a little bit. If you have any experience wake boarding, snow boarding, or skate boarding, it will certainly help. It's also helpful to get out there with someone who knows what they are doing and can hopefully keep you from pissing anyone else off. Good luck!

I'll just be diving right into with no experience with any of those things you listed:) But my life is full of challenges and learning to surf will just be another one, Thanks!