Am I too old to learn surfing?

[RJD]

36 today, hopefully getting some waves tomorrow...

[justloafing]

this is what my nephew said who surfs in VB,

congrads! virginia beach is a great place to learn to surf. But, if you want to actually catch waves, don't go to first street. It's crowded and dangerous. On the flip side, there are great sand bars up north at the north end. but there are streets that don't work, so if you see a flat spot, keep looking. Also Hatteras and nags head are only an hour and a half away. If you need any help surfing I would be glad to help you out. Surfs up!

[Dignan]

Awesome that sounds great. I can't believe how nice and helpful everyone on this message board is.

[waytogofranko]

Hi everybody

I am 32 and recently I bought a short surfboard to start this really difficult sport, I wonder how many of you guys has started at a very old age? and if is it possible to learn, i mean the basic stuff, like botton turn, maybe a floater, i know i wont become the next kelly slater.
I am 32 but im in good shape.

thanks

if i were you i'd stash the shortboard for when you get good and go back out and yourself a nice 9+ longboard

you will thank yourself. everyone is always quick to get a shortboard but in the long run the ones who get a shortboard first end up in the fate of the following: 1) quits surfing due to frustration 2) ends up buying a bigger boards 3) spends FOREVER learning

i ended up as #2 and it was the best decision i made. i found paddling ALOT easier, and i learned alot faster than i would have if i just stuck to my shortboard.

anyways its been 3yrs and i now surf a 6'2 shortboard. take it from me. i learned the hard way. even when i knew i should have started on a longboard to begin with, i still did it.

[Fochin]

i'm still learning and started seriously learning on a shortboard (i went out 2 times for kicks on a friends longboard).

The key is to consistently train in the beginning. Just like learning any other skill [i.e. guitar], the first few weeks are crucial. Get out as much as you can. I surfed every day after work for 4 days until I finally surfed my first wave.

If you get discouraged, just remember all the perks; tons of exercise and looking cool

[Johnny B]

32 is NOT old! And if you feel old maybe surfing should help relieve that feeling!

I dunno how often you're getting in the water and how long you've been doing it for but the fact that you're surfing unbroken waves lready and on a shortboard is a very good sign. Some people seem to take a looong time to get to that stage. Keep up this rate and you'll be ripping in no time.

[phuture98]

OK, we all know it's never too late to learn. Not only am I older (41) BUT I could never ride a skateboard, never ice skate, etc. My balance sucks! Considering this am I doomed? Good news is that I am in good physical shape. Are there any exercises I can do that would improve my balance before I attempt surfing? Thanks!!

[drowningbitbybit]

Doomed! Doomed! Utterly doomed!!!

Nah, you'll be fine.
Don't try and start out on a skinny little shortboard (think BIG) and you'll only be as hopeless as the rest of us

As for balance - get an indoboard!

[phuture98]

That indoboard looks cool! Think I'm gonna order one now. thanks for the tip.

[mikey448]

I sure hope 32 isn't too old to start, I am 50 years old and I just started!

[IB_Surfer]

I started surfing at 29, just about the same as you. Just start with a big board and work your way down. I had boogieboarded and such as a teen but did not get into surfing until later.

[paulyoffshore]

the Doctor said "exercise or die"

Yeah brother, my doc said something similar and after getting tired of going to the house of pain (the gym), I decided to get my exercise surfing (still go to the gym a couple days a week). I honestly think it's the best desicison I've ever made. I'm 40 and just started surfing January of this year. I bought a used 9' Stewart longboard for $100.00, did some minor repair and haven't looked back. Surfing has just been AWESOME for me, not just in the form of physical exercise, but spiritually and psychologically. I'm learning new things everytime I go out and the challenges seem endless. I find being in the ocean to be very theraputic not to mention surfing has totally changed my outlook on life, no kidding. I think I'll quit my job, live in a van and surf everyday. I'll be doing this 'till I drop. I just wish I would've started sooner.

Too old? pphhfffttt! See you in the line-up

[Kamikazesurf]

Hi everybody

I am 32 and recently I bought a short surfboard to start this really difficult sport, I wonder how many of you guys has started at a very old age? and if is it possible to learn, i mean the basic stuff, like botton turn, maybe a floater, i know i wont become the next kelly slater.
I am 32 but im in good shape.

thanks

Dude I surfed for 6 months when I was 17. I'm 35 now, and I started surfing only 2 years ago again when I was 33. I'm also in good shape. Its very tiring at first, but you get into shape quick. You just have to to get into it.

[marmalade]

I'm glad to see I'm not alone in coming late to the game: I'm 36 and just had my first lesson last week! Having grown up in Toronto, it's not as though there were many places to give this a try, so when I moved to New Zealand I knew I had to give it a go. Ive had two sessions on the water, and so far I *still* cant get up onto both feet. I dont mind though, as I love it (even the frustrating bits) and know I'll get up eventually =)

[simowill]

Hi all,

I'm 38 and had my third lesson last Sunday over at Boscombe, with my son who's 8. Both of us had a great time and are deffinately hooked. Just need to sort out a couple of boards now so we can put some more time in .

Regards


Simon

[Blaken]

Really think all the people on here are telling you to get a bigger board because they know it will help you learn faster to do the basics.

Regards

Blaken

[RJD]

I'm glad to see I'm not alone in coming late to the game: I'm 36 and just had my first lesson last week! Having grown up in Toronto, it's not as though there were many places to give this a try, so when I moved to New Zealand I knew I had to give it a go. Ive had two sessions on the water, and so far I *still* cant get up onto both feet. I dont mind though, as I love it (even the frustrating bits) and know I'll get up eventually =)

Heya! welcome to surfing! Who did you have a lesson with , Aaron ?

Will see you out and about , mostly Sumner for me as I live there...

[esonscar]

I started at 17 and took 6 months to stand - I wore a tracksuit, waterproofs gaffa tape taped tight over the tracksuit, neoprene socks and trainers, a cagoule and marigold dish washing gloves over leather ‘shop’ gloves for that time.

Paddle out was easy since I sank below the surface when I paddled out back !

The ‘board I began on is the white one in my avatar !

[ edit - added 'tape' , 'gloves' and 'paddled']