Surfing Waves

So I'm 34 and had a baby 16 months ago and had thought that I'd tried or done most of what I really wanted to try and do before the gorgeous little munchkin came along. Sky diving, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, and a brief back packing holiday amongst some other trips meant me and my other half felt ready to "settle down" and have kids.

But for the last few months I can't stop thinking about how much I'll feel I've missed in life if I never try surfing.

I'm not a strong swimmer and to be honest am more than a little nervous in the water, but I can swim and nerves haven't stopped me trying other water things either. I'd be willing to take some swimming lessons or practice if that's what it would take. I'm in relatively good shape although I know I'll be better in a few months as it apparently takes 18 months for a body to recover from having a baby especially at my age. But I live in London. And I'm getting on. And I have a baby.

So my questions are:
Age is a number but how old is too old to start?
Where could I take some lessons either within the UK on a break or perhaps somewhere in Europe?
How much would it cost to try it? How much does it cost if you want to pursue it?
How in shape do you have to be?
Are there surfers who have young families who still pursue their hobby or is it a take time out type of thing?
Is it amazing?

redpoppy wrote:So my questions are:
Age is a number but how old is too old to start?
Where could I take some lessons either within the UK on a break or perhaps somewhere in Europe?
How much would it cost to try it? How much does it cost if you want to pursue it?
How in shape do you have to be?
Are there surfers who have young families who still pursue their hobby or is it a take time out type of thing?
Is it amazing?

1. 34 is not too old, tons of people start in their 40's and 50's. Just don't expect to be winning any championships or turning pro.
2. I'm US based, so will leave this question for others.
3. Not too expensive to try, but you WILL need to buy a good wetsuit to surf in the UK, and if you like it you will want to buy a board, which even if used will likely be a few hundred pounds.
4. You don't have to be in great shape to start, but you will discover very quickly that you need to get in better shape to surf effectively. And even if you think you are in good shape, you will find out you're not in "surfing shape." To start, you just need to be a good enough swimmer to safely deal with the water conditions where you're surfing.
5. Yes, lots of surfers have young kids. But you do need to be committed to surfing very regularly to improve. So somehow you need some time, an understanding spouse and employer, or very good beach access.
6. Is this a rhetorical question? Of course! Don't think anyone on here would answer otherwise.

Good luck.

I'm 40 and just starting. kids are a little older than yours, and 8 year old just had his first lesson, so hoping it will be something we can learn together.

i'm based near bournemouth and we have 2 great surf schools here, but the waves are very sporadic. but it is only 1.5hours away from london. easily do-able in a day

theres a few in devon, where you would get better waves. http://www.northdevonsurfschool.co.uk/ seems to be good on a quieter beach. am trying to con, i mean convince the wife a weekend camping there would be fun for everyone!!

it is great, and even though i have only done it a few times and not really stood up yet, it is strangely addictive and exciting, no matter how short the ride is.

for fitness, i'm doing extra swimming, burpees and balance board exercises. hopefully they will pay off once the swell comes in.

I think the "is it amazing" question was probably just over-excitement on my part.

So swimming lessons may be the place to start followed by trips to bournemouth. What are the two surf schools there called? Any links or phone numbers for them?

Can you do lessons with a lifejacket or would that be ridiculous and constrictive? Just until I feel more confident with swimming?

Thanks for your replies by the way.

And I have no intention of being an amazingly pro level boarder I just think I would love to experience surfing on a wave one day. I can't believe I've missed this option in life for the past 34 years. Although I suppose growing up in a small landlocked town in the midlands didn't really offer much in the way of surfing inspiration.

The two in bournemouth are situated either side of boscombe pier.

Sorted Surf School is on http://www.bournemouth-surfschool.co.uk/

And Surf Steps is on http://www.bournemouthsurfschool.co.uk/index.php

the difference a hyphen makes!!

i did my first lesson with Sorted, but am going to surf steps as they do a package of 5 improver lessons for £50, once you have done an initial group lesson. still includes use of their wetsuits and foam boards, but can also use own board after a while.

let me know if you are coming down, as it'd be nice to practice with someone equally new!!

Bournemouth is very hit and miss, especially in summer.

Take the family down to Devon, and try a surf lessson at Saunton (near Barnstaple). Its a great beach for learning and there's a surf school right there.
To try it out for a day will cost barely anything - rent all the kit, get some instructions from the instructor and off you go.
Then rent boards for a bit while you take your first baby steps.

If you're still in, then think about buying boards and wetsuits n' stuff.
To get the most out of surfing you need to be in the water as often as you can (several times per week), but you can still have fun doing it every now and then.

Warning - Once hooked, your life will revolve around surfing. Small children will come second

Here are my answers to some of your questions.
Q. Age is a number but how old is too old to start?
A. There is no upper age limit. I learned at age 46. My co-worker began learning two weeks ago. He is 51 or 52.

Q. How much would it cost to try it? How much does it cost if you want to pursue it?
A. Very little. Greatest expense is petrol. To Try = 10 pounds / day for board rental +15 pound / day for wetsuit rental. To Pursue = 100 pounds for used wetsuit + 175 pounds for used long board. Note: Equipment is simple and holds up pretty well. [my figures may be off a little bit because I'm accustomed to US dollar and EU Euro and live & work in regions other than UK. But, it'll get you close]

Q. How in shape do you have to be?
A. Not much. When I began, I'd been changed to a desk for 1.5 years and the 3 years before were spent recovering from a long illness that descreased my physical condition so that I could not race motorcycles any longer. Note: Desire to surf better encouraged me to exercise more

Q. Are there surfers who have young families who still pursue their hobby or is it a take time out type of thing?
A. Yes, 10's, if not 100's, of thousands throughout the world

Q. Is it amazing?
A. What? Enjoying life after children or surfing?

Hey you may want to check out surfing school/ camps in France, Portugal etc!
But don't expect to become an expert after 'graduation'. To get good you really need to do it on a regular base!
For surfing I left UK and migrated to the USA and then Australia. And it's worth it!

Of course if you can get your kids into it as well when they are a little older you would be having some quality family time!

Hey Redpoppy.

Ive actually learnt over the past year in Bournemouth and it has been very frustrating! Get some great swell coming about 2 months out of the year but it can get silly busy when it does. Best place to surf is near Bournemouth pier as it has the best protection from the wind's. I also had the one lesson at the Sorted surf shop and thought it was great for a starter, i didnt have anymore after this as i had a friend teaching me and just whatched the other guys out in the waves. So bournemouth is an option but i would have to agreee with the other dude, north devon area is great, woolacombe,croyde/saunton( very good for learners,nice clean crisp waves).
As for the age thing i really wouldnt worry about that, once you catch that first wave you will defo be hooked! Be patient though as it may take a while.
If i was you i would defo get your swimming confidence up as it is vital if a strong rip comes in or you get machined by a wave. The life jacket thing i wouldnt worry about as woith lessons you dotn really go deep enough to worry.
Magic seaweed is a great website for checking out swells etc so allways check that out before you go anywhere.
Hope this helps. All the best and just stick at it the hard work is defo worth it!