How long are your sessions?

Have a chat about any general surfing related topics.

How long are your sessions?

Postby gd6 » Thu Nov 14, 2013 8:26 pm

Just curious, if the waves stay nice, how many hours do you surf in a session?

I have to drive 40 miles or more to get to a break here, so I always plan to make a day out of it. I usually end up spending about 4 hours in the water, with a little break in the middle. by the end, I know its time to quit cause I can barely paddle and pop up. I doubt I could last four hours on a day with stronger surf, 4 hours is max for smaller 2-3 waves that can't wipe you out hard. I am working on my stamina, because if I could I would stay out even longer. Just curious about how long people like to spend out on the water when heading to a break.
gd6
Surfer
 
Posts: 71
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 5:53 am

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby oldmansurfer » Thu Nov 14, 2013 8:39 pm

I only surf for an hour max but mostly I stay out for 30 minutes. I am 60 years old and busy and I don't want to push it too much. Back when I was around 20 and on weekends I would stay out for 4 hours frequently and some days I would take a break then go back out for a couple more hours. Weekdays just 2 hours after work but if the conditions were good I would stay out and night surf a bit. I haven't ever lived more than a 20 minute drive to the beach and usually within a 20 minute walk to the beach.
So what is worse.... dying or regretting it for the rest of my life? Obviously I chose not regretting it.
User avatar
oldmansurfer
Surf God
 
Posts: 8194
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:10 pm
Location: Kauai

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby drowningbitbybit » Thu Nov 14, 2013 8:46 pm

In the UK, when I used to have to travel a few hours to the surf, I'd stay out all day, with just a break for lunch. And then sometimes throw in a sunset session too 8)

Now that I'm in Australia and the beach is just down the road, I'm rarely in the water longer than an hour :unuts:

It doesn't help that in aussie summer, there's only a short window of offshore wind before the seabreezes kick in mid-morning every day. In the UK, a bit of accurate forecasting and you can surf in glassy offshore conditions all day... although you can surf in 1ft sloppy onshore mess quite a lot too :lol:
User avatar
drowningbitbybit
Surfing Legend
 
Posts: 6459
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:16 am
Location: Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby dtc » Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:34 pm

My problem is that apparently young kids are unable to be left at home by themselves and just sticking them on the beach sort of in eyesight is also frowned upon. Plus I also enjoy fishing, so have to earn enough brownie points to fit that time in. So I am limited to 1-2 hrs and, like, DBB, generally do the mornings (although there is often 1-2 hrs during summer evenings that can be excellent)

One of my friends, when he was a teenager, used to wake up at dawn on Saturday, drive to the beach (which was about 1/2 hr), surf until sunset, sleep in the car and do it all again on Sunday. Lived on peanut butter sandwiches and bananas. Then at uni (where I met him) he would usually organise to be lecture free on Friday and would do the same thing - but as we were 2.5hrs from surf, he would drive down Thursday night. Surf all day Fri, Sat and Sun and head back Sunday. Still managed to graduate. So for all those who look at the good surfers around and think 'how long does it take to get that good', it takes several years of doing this stuff.

My friend now works part of the year and spend 3-4 months travelling the world to surf to every exotic location you have never heard about (last trip was Andaman Islands).
dtc
Surf God
 
Posts: 3833
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 4:58 am

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby Aqualife » Fri Nov 15, 2013 1:20 am

DTC - I want to meet your friend, he sounds right up my alley. Andaman Islands have been on everyone's "secret" list for about 15 years now. You get dropped off by boat, sleep on the beach with all your supplies and surf and fish for food. If you get sick, you are on your own, as the fishing boats only come back every 2-4 weeks. At least it's been like that for years. No one there. These days there are some expensive surf charters but doing it on your own is heaps more fun.

Water time - if you are young and fit, anywhere from 2-4 hours on average. Managing 3 surfs per day 2 hour sessions isn't unheard of. Surfed for 6 hours in cold water once in my 20s and got hypothermia and slept for 14 hours straight afterwards. Between ages 15-35 surftrips consist of surfing yourself stupid, up at dawn for a session, brekkie, another session, lunch and siesta and then an afternoon session until dark, in bed by 7.30 and then doing it all over again the next day. You get sunburnt and feral but it does your surfing wonders.

Then you have work/family commitments and your surfing time shrinks and you fit a session in whenever you can and stay out as long your commitments and your body commit.

Just had a 3 hour surf as son is in kindy and I have the day off. So it never stops.

I'd say 2-3 hours for decent surf, 30 minutes if it's crap.
Aqualife
Local Hero
 
Posts: 101
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 10:50 am

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby dtc » Fri Nov 15, 2013 2:52 am

Aqualife wrote:DTC - I want to meet your friend, he sounds right up my alley. Andaman Islands have been on everyone's "secret" list for about 15 years now.


You and every other female apparently...(he is also good looking. And smart. The usual nightmare).

Apparently the Andamans are full of lots of bitey insects and bugs, is very hot with little wind and the coral cuts seem to become infected very easily, and its not all that well recovered from the boxing day tsunami. He actually left earlier than planned and went to Sri Lanka. But I think he was there for 3-4 weeks, so gave it a good try and, as you say, now has a lot of surfer street cred points. Possibly 10 years younger and it would have been ok or if he was willing to go more upmarket; but having already surfed throughout Indonesia and other places, I think he felt there are as good or better waves in places that are easier to get to and more pleasant to be in.

Out of my league anyway!
dtc
Surf God
 
Posts: 3833
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 4:58 am

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby IB_Surfer » Fri Nov 15, 2013 3:20 am

Depends on crowds and times. Before work 1.5 horus. On weekends 2 to 3 hours depending on surf and crowds. When I do baja or surf on weekdays while on vacation 3 hours minimum, then sometimes double go-outs
User avatar
IB_Surfer
Surfing Legend
 
Posts: 3106
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:00 am
Location: San Diego, CAlifornia

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby jwoz » Fri Nov 15, 2013 4:52 am

I have to drive 2 hours to get to a break. So I stay out as long as possible. About 2-3 hrs, take a break get hydrated, have a snack then go out for another 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. The 2nd half of my sessions turn my arms into rubber bands... Sucks getting old.
jwoz
Grom
 
Posts: 32
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:09 pm

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby Aqualife » Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:10 am

DTC, I didn't mean it like that. I have just never met anyone who has travelled as much as I have full stop, especially to more obscure places. That's all. Been to Andamans 10 years ago. I liked it. Happily attached to a beautiful Hawaiian surfer for a long long time. Thanks all the same, the others can have him.
Aqualife
Local Hero
 
Posts: 101
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat May 04, 2013 10:50 am

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby pico_train » Fri Nov 15, 2013 7:30 am

1-2 hrs depending on the wind! Sometimes have double sessions but that's rare. Wind tends to blow everything out here come the afternoon.
User avatar
pico_train
Surfer
 
Posts: 95
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:48 pm

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby peazz » Fri Nov 15, 2013 11:34 am

Depending on conditions I normally surf all day 4+ hours, if its choppy wind swell i tire very very fast.

Currently in Bondi on a 3 week break, I a little out of shape so atm i am out every day paddling against the current training my shoulders and paddle power. I only started 6 months ago (age 25) but wanted to surf my whole life, was pretty restricted as a kid so am trying to fast track my learning, I started on a 6"3 super fish, 6 months later im on a sexy little JS Evolution round tail.

Ive just been offered 3 hours surf lessons by a dude in Bondi, he complimented my physique, told me i have potential, Hes apprently trained 3/4 people who have been on the ASP world tour, I think its a no brainer that i do it!
Its just you and the heart beat of the earth, that moment when u take the drop nothing else matters your mind is completely free of all material thought processes. Your human.
User avatar
peazz
Local Hero
 
Posts: 422
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sat Jun 15, 2013 1:56 pm
Location: Essex, UK

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby 55funsurf » Thu Nov 21, 2013 2:46 am

Mostly an hour when I am getting back into it

One and a half hours if conditions are good and if I have the wholw day I might spread three sessions with a break between.

I am 55 and I find I need to excercise regularly on non surfing days but when I was younger I recall that we would stay in the water for hours.....
User avatar
55funsurf
Surfer
 
Posts: 59
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 6:32 am
Location: Sydney Australia

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby 312T4 » Mon Nov 25, 2013 12:25 pm

I don't understand how you (all) can do that.
I drive 1 to 2 hours to the beach every saturday (one way). And I surf for 2 hours, 3 if it's a very good day.
At the end of it I'm dead. And either my partner is there or at home, I don't have time for a second session later on. Too many things to do. I should give up too much for a second session.
Friends, movies, dinners and all the rest. I just don't have time. And I believe I'm committed.
I wonder how you do it.
312T4
Local Hero
 
Posts: 129
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:30 am

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby BaNZ » Mon Nov 25, 2013 2:12 pm

25 mins to the beach for me. When I first started few months ago, I would be at the beach for 5-6 hours. But this is mainly because I was terrible and the waves are tiny so I will manage 1 or 2 wave per hour.

The rips is much stronger in winter now so I only surf for around 2 hours grab a light lunch then sleep in the car for 1-2 hour and carry on surfing again if the condition is good.

There is too many things in life to do, but I pretty much drop all of them now. I was 2 hours late to my friend's wedding this Sunday just because the swell was too good. I had a cold as well but getting into the beach made me feel so much better. I just can't live without going to the beach every weekend now. Even considering moving here permanently and leaving my comfort zone!
BaNZ
SW Pro
 
Posts: 1419
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 3:15 pm

Re: How long are your sessions?

Postby jaffa1949 » Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:03 am

BaNZ wrote:25 mins to the beach for me. When I first started few months ago, I would be at the beach for 5-6 hours. But this is mainly because I was terrible and the waves are tiny so I will manage 1 or 2 wave per hour.

The rips is much stronger in winter now so I only surf for around 2 hours grab a light lunch then sleep in the car for 1-2 hour and carry on surfing again if the condition is good.

There is too many things in life to do, but I pretty much drop all of them now. I was 2 hours late to my friend's wedding this Sunday just because the swell was too good. I had a cold as well but getting into the beach made me feel so much better. I just can't live without going to the beach every weekend now. Even considering moving here permanently and leaving my comfort zone!


BaNZ Is showing all the signs of being totally hooked, the only sign missing was the Pacific Ocean spontaneous inappropriate sinus drain! :lol: you will be consider a total pariah in polite society but any other surfer will know your dedication!
I've taken up troll hunting just for fun, instead of a rifle I'll just use a pun! 冲浪爷爷
User avatar
jaffa1949
Surfing Legend
 
Posts: 8180
Likes: 0 post
Liked in: 0 post
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 12:01 am
Location: The super secret point breaks of Ober Österreich ( how many will notice the change)


Similar topics

Return to Surf Chat