Surfing Waves

Hi.

I started surfing 5 years ago. At age 58. It took a while to realize that there is very little help to get for old surfers. Most tuition and books is written for younger more flexible bodies.

The pop up, as you should do it, is a sure way to get a back ache.

I almost quit in despair. Then I remembered a mail in this forum that said. " Get onto your feet the best way you can "

After 4 years of desperate trying to make a proper pop up, I am using my knees every time now. Often I surf the first part of the wave on my knees and then get to my feet later.

Here is a video me surfing .


A study has been made by North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy . Old people surfing.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2953347/

Torben

cool!

looks like you are having fun. an this is the most important...
and you seem to be doing quite aight...

Thanks for sharing this Torben. The information out there about the Pop Up involves the dynamic snap to the feet. Your way is a great, low impact way of getting up to your feet. I'll link to this from our pop up article to offer an alternative for those who might not find it possible to pop up in the 'traditional' way

Hi Torben, I think what you are doing is just great and just right, I too am about to turn 63 being a 1949 baby, I started surfing in 1958 and the longer I surf the more I believe in whatever gets you in and surfing is the way to go.
A surf movie I recommend for our vintage is a documentary called Surfing for Life with guys who were my heros when I was growing up in the surfing world they were and still are older than you or me and some are still alive and surfing.
There is also a website: http://www.surfingforlife.com

Recommended viewing for all surfers old (cause we just do it) and young (cause we developed the stuff you doing now)

Also try "Going Vertical" . Historical medium old farts arguing over what was each others contribution to the evolution of short boards.

BTW a number of my similar vintaged friends have taken to the pop up struggle by reverting to kneeboards and getting better and deeper quality surf They're loving it.

Have you noticed that you are more alive, with better reaction time and better all round body functions than your similarly aged contemporaries

Just an edit to add to this the is a thread for late in life beginners here too!
Have a look viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17676

@ Toren,
You are not merely a surfer. You are an inspiration!

Thank you for your nice comments.

Torben

That was a really smooth pop-up and fun waves; I am impressed!

If I can do what you're doing when I'm your age, I'll be really chuffed with myself! Thats pretty cool.

Greg

Thank you for sharing. That is cool!