Surfing Waves

My first question is how many lessons I need as an absolute beginner. How long a course would I have to take to be a reasonable surfer? - I'm not talking championships, but being able to enjoy a few days on decent waves. I'm in my 40s - is that too old to start??

My second question is whether anyone can recommend a surf school in Japan, preferably in Kyushu or Shikoku (ie. not near Tokyo), for next summer? I speak fluent Japanese. Any idea how much it would cost for a week? Is it possible to camp, or do you have to book a hotel?

Thanks for anything.

Rombald wrote:My first question is how many lessons I need as an absolute beginner. How long a course would I have to take to be a reasonable surfer? - I'm not talking championships, but being able to enjoy a few days on decent waves. I'm in my 40s - is that too old to start??

My second question is whether anyone can recommend a surf school in Japan, preferably in Kyushu or Shikoku (ie. not near Tokyo), for next summer? I speak fluent Japanese. Any idea how much it would cost for a week? Is it possible to camp, or do you have to book a hotel?

Thanks for anything.

you dont really need lessons.. atleast i went without lessons. It would probably take some time.. depending on how often you go and what your board size is.. i think.. haha

Rombald wrote:My first question is how many lessons I need as an absolute beginner.
How long a course would I have to take to be a reasonable surfer?
I'm in my 40s - is that too old to start??

My second question is whether anyone can recommend a surf school in Japan, preferably in Kyushu or Shikoku (ie. not near Tokyo), for next summer?
I speak fluent Japanese.
Any idea how much it would cost for a week?
Is it possible to camp, or do you have to book a hotel?

None to loads. Probably best to take a day's lessons to get the basics. The rest is practise and perseverance.
Years.
No.

No idea.
I dont.
No.
Dunno.

40's are not too late. Case in point, I started at 47 or 48.

Nah its never too late to start!
I got 3 lessons for my 40th birthday with a local surf school legend. That was more than enough to get me started and then I had another odd lesson as my surfing progressed to point me in the right direction. My generous birthday benefactor paid for one to one lessons- well worth it!
Mind you those 40 year old knees and back take a bit of a pounding so I've had to do some serious exercising.... And after all that I can still only describe myself as an advanced beginner.....

billie_morini wrote:40's are not too late. Case in point, I started at 47 or 48.

Dude!! You da Man. Not many people on earth can say that.

scsurf wrote:

billie_morini wrote:40's are not too late. Case in point, I started at 47 or 48.

Dude!! You da Man. Not many people on earth can say that.

I can I think there maybe a few more of us than you think. I started at 48. I can tell billie_morini is older than me because he can't remember exactly how old he was when he started.

Crickey
you make me feel so young
you make me feel like spring has sprung...
I am a mere surfing whippersnapper in comparison. I shall be henceforth known as surfgrommom.

my friends mother got a lesson a few weeks ago and got up and stood at 63 years old!
we had to stop her felling an old tree in her back garden the previous week and often have to stop her taking on huge DIY jobs on her own.
hope i can still do it at that age...

Heh, I'm 42 and just started surfing a couple of months ago.

Never too old to get stoked!

HA HA. Uhm... The term oldgrom (older surfer with kid like life) ha ha at 40 surfing is no problem. I say one lesson is fine to learn some very basic terms and form after that you join the ranks of practice practice practice. HA HA and don't be shocked when ya do it and you get home and sleep like a 90 yr old and hurt in places you did'nt know existed. It will get better in time. Ive seen a couple in there 80's still surfing!!!! There is no age restrictions in this one. Do lots of homework online and like your doing now get online and meet people to meet up with at a surf break and learn something from them too. Have fun is the #1 thing, cause better surfing comes in time.Good luck and happy surfing. Oh yea sorry can't recomend any school in Japan.

Lot of "old Groms" on here you'll find. We spend all day in our offices logged on to this forum and scanning surfcams until we can escape to the sea.

Started at 42 with a couple of lessons. Trying to practice and practice but surf has not been very good lately. Just takes longer for us "oldies".

No worries.... There is a whole lotta truth in the old saying " Better late than never". HA HA you'll paddle like a young buck too when there are tasty women in around ya !!!!! How could anyone not like that!!!!

may take a bit longer for oldies to get their fitness up... but the actual surfing progression is about how often you can get out.

consistency and perseverance is the key.

i met a guy out in the line up once who was just starting in his mid 60's. as long as you enjoy it, you'll do fine. (as long as you can swim)

WOW, I love hearing those stories

Look up Hatasurfdojo.com. An Aussie named Bruce runs a surf school on Shikoku. He does rentals, lessons, wetsuits(if its still cold), and will even let you crash at his house for 1,000 yen. He lives right next to a beach break that is great for learning. Grab a board cross the street and you are at the water. Hope it works out for you. HAVE FUN!

scsurf wrote:

billie_morini wrote:40's are not too late. Case in point, I started at 47 or 48.

Dude!! You da Man. Not many people on earth can say that.

Except me who started at 48 last August.

I heard of a person who learnt to surf at 85!