A surfer’s life is one of constant fun and adventure. There’s the absolute freedom to ride the waves every day and then rest on the sunny sand. However, when surfers must go beyond the free beach dream into the costly reality of rent, groceries and other expenses, it requires some efforts to pay for that freedom.
 
Unless you’ve beaten Las Vegas or the stock market or have very wealthy and indulgent parents, you need to find work and a place to sleep. Some tips may help you achieve that goal of paying your way so you can spend as much time as possible out on the waves.

1. Find a cheap place near a good surfing area. Inquire about other surfers looking to share apartments and other living expenses. Depending on how much money you can spend, get your own room or private corner for your sleeping bag.

2. A car is always a heavy expense, and with high gas prices, keeps getting more costly. Sell your car or leave it with your folks. Find your place to live within walking distance of the beach or close to inexpensive public transportation.
  
3. Get a job at a nearby restaurant or retail store. If you want your surfing time to be during sunlight, try to work the night shift or split hours, to enable you to do the maximum of day surfing. Other night jobs, including building maintenance, taxi driver and security guard, could give you plenty of daylight time to surf. 

4. Some unique and odd jobs may be worth considering. If you surf on a very busy tourist beach, get a metal detector. Amazon has them for sale from about $60 on up to $250. Some enterprising surfers in Malibu and other posh beach communities claim they can make good daily income from found cameras, cell phones, rings, watches and other jewelry. They sell them on EBay and Craig’s List.
 
5. Be a sand flea marketer. People move in and out all the time in beach towns. They often leave furniture, appliances, kitchenware and clothing behind. Sometimes they’ll have garage sales to get rid of unwanted stuff at very low prices. If you have room at your beach place to store things, answer ads to pick up whatever looks salable. Participate in flea markets and your own garage sales to make money.
 
5. Teach surfing, swimming, lifesaving and other skills to vacationing adults and kids. Summer schools often need instructors or you can advetrise to give private lessons. You can also sign up to be a camp counselor, but that’s a daytime job, and your personal surfing time will be at a minimum.

For many who love the sport, living a surfer’s lifestyle is a heavenly dream. Finding ways to do it needs down-to-earth planning and the never-ending search for making money.