Used to surf well but haven't surfed for 10 years. Now what?

[saoj2017]

I used to surf well. Surfed non-stop from 10 to 30 years old. Now I'm 40. Same shape, same weight. Will I be able to bottom turn, off the lips and that kind of stuff? Or will I have to learn everything again? I'm talking about perfect waves in perfect conditions to keep it simple.

[Surf Hound]

NO you will be a better surfer than you used to be. Probably surf like Slater since you are in the over 40 club now. wtf. How would we know if you will be able to complete a bottom turn, off the lips, etc? If someone on this message board says "Yes" you will be able to surf like you never missed a day in 10 years - will you be satisfied with the answer? What if they say "no" you are going to have to relearn everything - will that satisfy you? Seriously why would you ask this question? One would think you would grab a board and see where your skills were at this stage in your life. Sorry to be bit rough, but cmon wtf kind of question is this?

[oldmansurfer]

There are some here who might be able to give an average time line for those who learned and stopped then resumed...... not me I hear that if you surfed when you were 10 and then quit and restarted that it is much easier but for me who learned when I was 18 surfed till I was 40 something then quit for 11 years it was like learning all over again except I knew the waves and I knew what to do. I had some instincts but they were for single fin boards and I was learning on a tri fin

[waikikikichan]

I used to surf well. Surfed non-stop from 10 to 30 years old. Now I'm 40. Same shape, same weight. Will I be able to bottom turn, off the lips and that kind of stuff? Or will I have to learn everything again? I'm talking about perfect waves in perfect conditions to keep it simple.

The most important component of your equation of "will you be able to bottom turn, off the lips" is not your age, shape or weight. It is the variable of " Perfect waves in Perfect conditions". Those are few and far between. So the answer is NO.

And even if there are "perfect waves", surfing has gotten way more popular and thus way way more crowded than you're used to to.

[RinkyDink]

Go out on a day with surf you're confident in and see if you still enjoy it. That should clear up any doubts you have.

[saoj2017]

The most important component of your equation of "will you be able to bottom turn, off the lips" is not your age, shape or weight. It is the variable of " Perfect waves in Perfect conditions". Those are few and far between. So the answer is NO. And even if there are "perfect waves", surfing has gotten way more popular and thus way way more crowded than you're used to to.

I totally agree with you. On a regular day on a regular place I won't be able to surf

But I'm planning a trip to Maldives. So perfect condition with perfect waves should hold.

[oldmansurfer]

Hey saoj2017, I would love to hear how your trip goes. As I mentioned before for me it was like starting all over again however what I didn't mention is that when I learned the first time it was much easier for me than it is for most beginners. I have heard that if you learn as a child that it stays with with sort of like riding a bike but you won't be able to do all the tricks you could do right away. Anyway I am curious how long it takes to get back to speed for you. I have been at it for several years and haven't gotten back to speed yet.

[saoj2017]

NO you will be a better surfer than you used to be. Probably surf like Slater since you are in the over 40 club now. wtf. How would we know if you will be able to complete a bottom turn, off the lips, etc? If someone on this message board says "Yes" you will be able to surf like you never missed a day in 10 years - will you be satisfied with the answer? What if they say "no" you are going to have to relearn everything - will that satisfy you? Seriously why would you ask this question? One would think you would grab a board and see where your skills were at this stage in your life. Sorry to be bit rough, but cmon wtf kind of question is this?

Have a beer brow... Smoke something maybe? Relax pal.

[YungGrom]

NO you will be a better surfer than you used to be. Probably surf like Slater since you are in the over 40 club now. wtf. How would we know if you will be able to complete a bottom turn, off the lips, etc? If someone on this message board says "Yes" you will be able to surf like you never missed a day in 10 years - will you be satisfied with the answer? What if they say "no" you are going to have to relearn everything - will that satisfy you? Seriously why would you ask this question? One would think you would grab a board and see where your skills were at this stage in your life. Sorry to be bit rough, but cmon wtf kind of question is this?

Have a beer brow... Smoke something maybe? Relax pal.

Can see where he's coming from no one knows your ability or how you surf it's like me going up to a rugby player and saying will I be as good as I was ten years ago... they wouldn't have a clue neither would you if you haven't tried it out, just rent a board and have a play around for as long as you desire

[YungGrom]

It's also like beginners asking what surfboard should they ride when they already know the answer because it is literally everywhere

[Brian]

I grew up surfing in Sydney, Aus from 12-21. I was a 'little nipper' as a kid (Queenscliff surf life saving club) and bodyboarded before I got my first surfboard, so I have a lot of experience in the water from an early age. After I finished college I moved to Chicago and I was only able to take one surf trip per year, so I was relegated to 5-7 days of surfing per year instead of 3-5 days per week.

I moved to California early last year and have been surfing 3-5+ days per week since. The first few months were very frustrating because I lacked the consistency I previously had. I knew where I was supposed to be and knew in my mind how I could achieve what I wanted, but wasn't always able to execute. The biggest thing I lost were the specific surfing muscles and muscle memory I needed for that consistency. You will still be able to read the waves, popup and maybe do a turn or two, but being out of practice will be frustrating. Patience is a virtue and improving your surfing is all about getting as many reps as possible.

[saoj2017]

The biggest thing I lost were the specific surfing muscles and muscle memory I needed for that consistency.

Very well put. I haven't thought about that. Thanks for the nice reply.

I'm also worried about balance on my feet, being able to naturally ride a wave like I used to. without effort, without dragging yourself. I don't expect to do anything fancy beside off-the-leaps.