I have never been surfing but I'm interested to try it sometime!
Surfing is a water sport in which the wave rider ,or surfer, rides a moving wave.
What else would I need to know before attempting to surf?
Well you there are different types of surfing such as Big Wave Surfing.   Big wave surfing is surfing in which experienced surfers paddle onto or are towed onto waves of at least 20 feet high on surf boards know as "guns or towboards".   SOunds kinda scary if you ask me.
Being 20 feet up does seem like it'd be kind of scary but also exciting!
I agree, but there also other options such as  knee boarding, surf matting, and using foils.   THere has to be one that you would find enjoyable.
It sounds like it might be a better option to start with one of those then.
Yeah, I think so too.  You might not even want to start with waves at an ocean.  Waves suitable for surfing can also be found in lakes or rives in the form of a standing wave or tidal bore.  SO you might want to start there.