Surfing is a a surface water sport in which the person surfing is carried along the face of a breaking ocean wave (the "surf") standing on a surfboard.
Two major subdivisions within contemporary stand-up surfing are reflected by the differences in surfboard design and riding style of longboarding and shortboarding. In tow-in surfing (most often, but not exclusively, associated with big wave surfing), a surfer is towed into the wave by a motorized water vehicle, such as a jetski, generally because standard paddling is often ineffective when trying to match a large wave's higher speed.
Many popular surfing destinations offer surfing lessons and surfing camps. Surfing camps are multi day lessons that focus on the basic fundamentals of surfing. These camps are designed to take new surfers and help them become proficient riders. Typical surf instruction is performed in a one on one lesson format but can also be done in a group setting.
Most modern surfboards are made of polyurethane foam (with one or more wooden strips or "stringers"), fiberglass cloth, and polyester resin. An emerging surf technology is an epoxy surfboard, which are stronger and lighter than traditional fiberglass. Even newer surfboard designs incorporate materials such as carbon fiber and springy 'firewire'.
