Surfing Waves

Hey guys,
im a Londoner moving to the Gold Coast. I'm 30 and have had maybe 10 lessons on and off over 3 years and can stand up occasionally on a softy. When i move, i was keen to do an intensive course and really get into the sport and get to the point where I'm not embarrassed to go out on my own with the big boys. Have i left it too late?? no experience with skateboarding or anything either unfortunately...but i can stand on the underground without holding on!

thanks for any advice

Spring chicken. Check out the thread 'later in life beginners'. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17676

You just need to reach a level where you are having fun - not that you won't have fun from day 1, but I guess to a level where you feel comfortable and not frustrated. Who cares what skill level that is. Might take a bit of time, a bit of resilience, like any new skill.

Short answer - not too late, you are doing the right thing getting some lessons and even better moving to the Gold Coast. Of course you now have to start delving into the mysteries of boards and fins...

work on your overall fitness.
stretch.
learn.

you'll have a blast.

Go for it. I agree that you should make sure you're having fun. One thing I have realized since I started surfing as a beginner, is that about 30% of understanding the sport and gaining skill has nothing to do with standing up, balancing, turning, etc. It's getting comfortable in the ocean (punching through waves, getting around waves, getting over waves, dealing with wave sizes, the steepness of waves, the weakness/strength of waves, finding rip currents, lining up with peaks . . . ) Every time I tell myself that I have mastered my popup, for example, a new swell comes along and I find that no, actually, my popup is not working like it did yesterday. Then I have to ask what changed. Is it me, the waves, board size, etc. Lately I've been thinking about what I would need to know/do if I wanted to go out on a triple overhead day. The puzzles you have to solve are what make falling down the rabbit hole of the sport so pleasurable.

It's never too late to start surfing or even come back to it ask oldmansurfer on this forum for advice he came back to surfing in his 60s and is having loads of fun
But at that age you won't learn as quick as teen like me but it's not impossible to do if you're determined.
Get in paddling shape though if you want to have fun and get the waves you want instead of stopping half way to the lineup and being pushed back to shore, I'd say 80% of surfing is just paddling and going around waves.

The more you surf the better as long as you are healthy. If surfing is causing you health problems then you need to adjust your surfing to minimize that. Number one thing should be safety so make sure you learn to read the ocean conditions (waves and currents) and know what you can handle safely. Being physically fit will make a huge difference in how fast you learn and what conditions you can handle. The best way to get fit is just to surf a lot. Take some more lessons and make sure you understand crowds before you go in them and know the rules of the lineup

oldmansurfer wrote:The more you surf the better as long as you are healthy. If surfing is causing you health problems then you need to adjust your surfing to minimize that. Number one thing should be safety so make sure you learn to read the ocean conditions (waves and currents) and know what you can handle safely. Being physically fit will make a huge difference in how fast you learn and what conditions you can handle. The best way to get fit is just to surf a lot. Take some more lessons and make sure you understand crowds before you go in them and know the rules of the lineup

Word to that, read the surf etiquette
https://surfing-waves.com/surfing-etiquette.htm

jj1985jj wrote:Hey guys,
im a Londoner moving to the Gold Coast.

Hey, I am a Londoner who already has moved to the Gold Coast!

In this neck of the woods, the level of surfing is unbelievable - the kids start when they're toddlers, so by the time they're teens, they're just phenomenal. Then they carry on until they're about 100 years old!
So, you ain't never gonna be as good as the locals... but you'll be able to learn and get good enough to hold your own without embarrassing yourself. There are plenty of people in the water who are complete newbies, weekend warriors, terminal wobblers... and as long as you play by the rules, you'll have no dramas

When are you moving? Where are you moving to? Hint - if you're gonna surf, the south end of the Goldie is by far the best place to be.

Oh, and I used to do the balancing on the underground without holding on as balancing practise too!

drowningbitbybit wrote: I used to do the balancing on the underground without holding on as balancing practise too!

Can't practice that here in the Tokyo Metro Subway. We're packed so tight like sardines, that when people faint from lack of oxygen, they don't fall over. Worst is people can't raise their hands to cover their nose when they sneeze.

waikikikichan wrote:Can't practice that here in the Tokyo Metro Subway. We're packed so tight like sardines, that when people faint from lack of oxygen, they don't fall over. Worst is people can't raise their hands to cover their nose when they sneeze.

Does everyone wear that face mask thing? I was actually in Japan last month for a family holiday, had a great time. Avoided Tokyo trains before 9am though. Being 6ft3 and gaijin may have helped as well.

Fitness is key, but take your time building it up. If you overdo it chances are injuries will keep you out of the water. Listen to your body, sometimes a resting day is the way to go.

jj1985jj wrote:Hey guys,
im a Londoner moving to the Gold Coast. I'm 30 and have had maybe 10 lessons on and off over 3 years and can stand up occasionally on a softy. When i move, i was keen to do an intensive course and really get into the sport and get to the point where I'm not embarrassed to go out on my own with the big boys. Have i left it too late?? no experience with skateboarding or anything either unfortunately...but i can stand on the underground without holding on!

thanks for any advice

I started at 32 and I stopped doing any regular exercise after the uni. I think there are some on the forum that started at 50+ so it is never too late. You might not be like the kids out that shredding. But hey, you're out there to enjoy the vibe and the euphoria.

Good news there will be about as many commuters in the water at the Gold Coast as in the the Undergroud at rush hour, but less than the Tokyo trains .
The other good news , learning to look beyond the "name" beaches will grant you some serenity from the Madding Crowd.
Enjoy the ride and eventually you will realise the " Tube" here in a much better thing

I started surfing at 25 years old. But I body boarded for 15 years before that, so I already had the wave knowledge. I never go to the gym or really watch what I eat.
A lot of the ripper classmates from school time don't surf anymore. Too crowded or too burnt out. They lost the "Stoke". Just keep it and you'll be fine. ( and don't go down in board size too early )

dtc wrote:Does everyone wear that face mask thing? I was actually in Japan last month for a family holiday, had a great time. Avoided Tokyo trains before 9am though.

I think I'm the guy to the right.

You'll be fine, I started when I was around 32. I'd still categorize myselft as an advanced-beginner(or intermediate on good days) but I can handle my own in everyday conditions. I feel the key is to be consistent, so you can build/maintain your fitness level, and learning on the right board(s). Step down in increments and start with a longboard. It's a great idea to get lessons, but don't be afraid to venture out on your own once you get the basics down either(just avoid the main peak and find a less crowded spot).

waikikikichan wrote:I think I'm the guy to the right.

That's the train to the Black Friday sale, right?

RinkyDink wrote:That's the train to the Black Friday sale, right?

No, that's every morning. Worse is on the rainy days with a wet umbrella pressed up against your back. It's funny seeing women walk to work with only one high heel on, since it got left in the train from the push.

waikikikichan wrote:

RinkyDink wrote:That's the train to the Black Friday sale, right?

No, that's every morning. Worse is on the rainy days with a wet umbrella pressed up against your back. It's funny seeing women walk to work with only one high heel on, since it got left in the train from the push.

It ain't no picnic over here either.

jj1985jj,
Starting at 30?! Not too late. Many contributors in this forum started later than this. Example: I started at 45.