That's AGEIST!
My dad was the biggest noob. He lost more $$$ (3 trinidad/calstar rigs in just one shot, for instance) in gear than anyone I know when he was starting to kayakfish. He took some coaching on surf launches. It's not just a relentless pounding machine where you just attempt to paddle through when you are geared up and ready. It takes some study of sets (5-7min apart in CA) and how channels form, and how waves bounce off of bars and reefs. And look at him now, he's flown the coop. I'm so proud. sniff.
And for the record he's 22yrs older than I, and I still called him a n00b, because he was. It didn't mean I enjoyed seeing him get worked. I hated seeing it and did what I could to lessen the odds of it happening again. I'm sure 99% on here want to see you succeed getting through the surf w your hair dry.