Surfing for Old Guys

[drowningbitbybit]

Hi, I'm new to the water and am trying to have some fun without killing myself.

I'm not a spring chicken anymore at 48 but really want to enjoy some surfing time. I have taken a couple lessons and found out quick that while I'm in pretty good shape I lack endurance and flexibility. I can work on the endurance part with no problems but the flexibility is a bit more challenging. I have mild scoliosis and do get some back spasms on occasion. My surf teacher was also a yoga instructor and he could bend like a pretzel, that's not happening for me!

Any helpful suggestions from others to help me out would be appreciated. I hope they are not something like, "take up golf". I can't believe I went through the first half of my life without surfing, I don't want to quit now!

Ted

[EastcoastLI]

Welcome! There are many people on this site who learned at a later age. In fact my dad who is 51 is learning right now, so if he can do it you can do it! By the way, how far away do you live from the water?

[drowningbitbybit]

I live on the East coast. I live in Southwest Georgia right now and travel over to Daytona Beach area, I have family there. So right now I only get to go about once a month as it's a 4 hour drive one way. I will be moving there in a year or so and then I can play in the water all the time...

[billie_morini]

tgames,
48 is not too old to begin. I began at 45 or 46.
Follow the advice of my buddy whom is the most amazingly fit person I know: "Little by little," as applied to becoming more fit, stronger, and/or better surfer.
Remember, too: "The surfer having the most fun is the best surfer."
For increased flexibility, yoga is recommended. For practicality, you may have to force yourself to stretch every day. I like my rowing machine (water rower brand) because it stretches you, helps with surfing muscles, and improves endurance -- and you control the pace and strength required.
You'll find surfing more frequently helps a lot. It's like racing motocross. The best exercise for this is to ride.
Surfing is like guitar playing. You have to do it frequently to maintain the skill.
Sounds like you are Daytona bound. I like surfing at Cocoa Beach. There is a fat, slow moving hump on the south side of the pier. Maybe you can try that. If I were to live in FL, I'd live in Cocoa and surf that wave nearly every day. Oh, it's a longboard wave.
Lastly, if you do take up golf, make sure it is in addition to surfing.

[EastcoastLI]

"For increased flexibility, yoga is recommended. For practicality, you may have to force yourself to stretch every day."

^^^^
Seconded. Since I've started doing yoga, I've gotten much more flexible. I also feel better mind-wise (hope that doesn't make sound crazy )

Once a month isn't a lot at all, so I wouldn't expect to improve rapidly. Once you move to daytona I would surf as much as possible. Then you will start to improve faster
Lucky you, with the warm florida weather! Also, in case you didn't know, living on the east coast means an extreme lack of wave consistency. I should know- nothings been surf-able up here in NY for a good month

[surf patrol]

tgames64, have you seen this topic yet, you might want to contribute your experiences so far.
https://surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17676

[billie_morini]

tgames,
as I've been exercising and surfing since your thread began, I've wanted to share some additional information. While I advocated yoga, I'll tell you 1) I'm not very flexible (never was even at the height of youth and sports competition, and 2) I do not like doing yoga. I've got an older friend from India that uses yoga for improved health. He has tried to teach me a few things that could/should help with some of my health maladies. But, I just can't get into it. So, I do the things I want to do for exercise, surf when I can, and let it go at that.