Does shortboarding get harder as you get older?

[Johnny B]

The title may be deceptive, but the post is more related to longboarding.

I've noticed that the vast majority of shortboarders are young (let's say <30) and the majority of longboarders are older (let's say 30+). This of course is a generalisation, but i think denying there is such a trend is impossible. Oh, the trend of course is from my observations in the UK, I can't talk for elsewhere, esp places where the waves are more suited to certain types of riding.

The question is, is this trend due to the fact that shortboarding is athletically more demanding or for other reasons? I guess it could be due to the fact that when these folk started surfing longboarding was more prominent, or perhaps that with age comes wisdom and the older fellas know where it's at . You tell me.

[tomcat360]

I'm not old by any means but the way I see it is that the older guys want something a bit more chill. And one of my buddies who has switched to loggin says it's easier on his knees.

[rich r]

Old Guys Rule.

You have it, with age comes wisdom. There's no need to paddle like a mad-man to catch a wave when adding a few feet to your board will help out.

I surfed shortboards for 25 years about before switching to an 8-6. Now I'm shopping for a 9-2 or 9-6.

[Hang11]

I started riding a longboard at 22, had been surfing a shortboard for about 8 years before that, and stopped riding a shortboard at 28, and just stuck to a longboard.

You don't need to be as fit to keep your wave count up on a longboard, and for me, getting a bit older meant things like job, family etc limiting water time a bit, which meant that riding a longboard got me into more waves when I did get in.

Saying that, I bought myself a shortboard a couple of years ago, and have been trying to relearn it, and it's definitely harder these days (37yo) compared to when I was younger. Getting there though.

[northswell]

Blimey no need to be ageist.

Long Boards had been out of "fashion" since the late seventies so anyone surfing around then would have started on a small board.

Longboards have only really started to be a more widespread in the last 10yrs or so.

I'm 37 and surf no bigger than a 6'6'', i'm not old enough to need to go bigger at the moment and have no problem with the physical side of surfing.

[isaluteyou]

i saw a 60+ year old tearing it up on a shortboard the other day:-)

[keef]

Why not do both?
I find I chop and change what I prefer day to day. When I'm on my long board I think I wish I was on my shorter mini mal, and when I miss waves on my minimal I wish I was on my long board.
I make my self late sometimes trying to make a descision which board to use, and I don't even have a proper short board..............yet.

But in general its the older guys here that longboard, me included.

[smallwavegrovellerchick]

I get tired just watching the groms tearing it up. I know I don't have as much energy, stamina, and resilience as I did when I was younger. I think we just slow down as we get older. 33 and shortboarding. Would love to be surfing a shortboard at 60.

[billie_morini]

johnny B,
I know from experience, everything gets harder with age.
Billie

[anthropisces]

the people who are saying that it has to do with age, of course have a point. i'm 45 and surf both short and long boards. i cannot though, keep up with the 15-30 year olds any more.

you also have to remember that we older guys don't give a darn about peer pressure (although we might give in to pier pressure at times ). it is easier for us to pick up a longie and sit outside and we don't care what anyone says.

i prefer to surf my short board if the conditions are right and if the crowd is not too thick. but that is getting less and less frequent.

my newest stick is a mctavish 9'1" original and it is extremely responsive and doesn't really feel long. ive only just bought the thing but have already had it in some very hollow surf.

what is bothering me though is these guys on the stand-up paddle boards in the line-up. the damn things look dangerous to me. what's next; jet skis?

[Sillysausage]

i'm not sure, i'm only 16 but i see some 50-60year olds shortboarding. they don't 'rip' as much but they still surf well, doing some nice turns just with less power

[crepuscular]

same... I've seen old guys with forsty hair numerous times riding on shortboards, but majority of them stay with funboards or longboards...

[boardrider]

The secret to shortboarding as an oldie is
Fish or Single fin
less demand for radical moves and easy transition from the malibu

[Otter]

Seeing as how I fit the generalization I'll take a moment or two to post up on this one...

Yup. Older guys generally ride longboards, young guys generally ride shortboards.

The physical demands are a large part of why, but I also think there are pleasures in longboarding that you can't get on a shortboard, and vice versa.

It's kind of like George Carlin talking about American football and American baseball. Longboards "cruise, shortboards "carve..." etc. Also the articles/ads in the surfer rags more than generally are directed toward the younger crowd, the kids with disposable income who are more prone to buy into whatever product the ad is trying to sell, than say a seasoned veteran would be. There's more glamour in toting a rapier sharp 5'6" to the lineup than lugging the old plank at 8'+.

[surferdude_scarborough]

the main reason behind me using a shortboard is that i have more fun. i cant work longboards at all. i get confused with that much board and cant even catch a wave. even if i do i cant turn so i find shortboarding easier. i am 19 though.

[drowningbitbybit]

i am 19 though.

A 19 year old that drinks too much beer and then fights lampposts - you'll soon be feeling like the rest of us

[surferdude_scarborough]

i am 19 though.

A 19 year old that drinks too much beer and then fights lampposts - you'll soon be feeling like the rest of us

Still wont be able to work a longboard though

[Otter]

A little practice and you'd do fine.

[The Fafanator]

i saw a 60+ year old tearing it up on a shortboard the other day:-)

The oldest guy that surfs in mosselbay (73, wow.) surfs a shortboard which is smaller than himself, and it isn't a fish either, it is infact one of the thinnest narrowest boards out there.

[derbyshire surfer]

I ride a 7'6 carpet board, (long board less 2ft), you can essentially use it with one fin in a longboard cruisy style, or thruster setup for days I feel more enrgetic!
I started late(ish) at around 30 but I've always preferred the longboard style and to watch it seems more, I don't know more 'soulful'?
Don't get me wrong, I think watching 'youths' doing aerials is impressive, and the stuff they do is incredible. I'm still trying for a tube ride, for now I enjoy cruising!