how do you rate your level of surfing?

[yumyumyellow]

I'd say my level can be anywhere from intermediate down to straight up beginner depending on the waves and my confidence that particular day. It seems like when I'm confident and the waves are good and lined up, I catch everything I paddle for, do a bottom turn, angled take off, or faded bottom turn depending on the wave, top turn, trim, little fades and cutbacks, etc. Nothing crazy but I like to think I'm somewhat smooth when I'm surfing well and I can go frontside or backside pretty much equally well.

When it's choppy, chunky, peaky, etc...I don't tend to surf nearly as well (but who does?). I often feel like I'm learning all over again in these conditions. Waves are harder to read and therefore harder to catch. Usually steeper takeoffs and many closeouts or just straight up peaks into short mushburger shoulders where it's hard to do anything at all. All this makes me second guess myself at every turn and I kind of get in my own head.

[Tudeo]

I'd say my level can be anywhere from intermediate down to straight up beginner depending on the waves and my confidence that particular day.

Same here, the circumstances play a big role. Sometimes it all goes by itself and boosts ur confidence, then next time u go out thinking ur in control, end up humbled..
I just try to lower expectations when i go out so if it all works its a bonus.

[Big H]

At my age you have to factor in days when the body feels loose lively and good vs stiff worn out and rickety.....and the degrees in between... I'm sure not 16 anymore!

[oldmansurfer]

I don't have that excuse Big H, but I have to do a lot of exercises out of the water just to keep myself in moderately good shape. I was in so much better shape when I was in my 20's though I never exercised just to be in shape. My days of low performance come from a lack of ability in reading the waves and a lack of reasonable waves. Or maybe like this past Sunday making a tactical error in picking a break. Unlike everyone else I surf on almost every Saturday and Sunday regardless of conditions. Those 2 outings a week are also very important in keeping me ready to surf. As long as I do my exercises and surf fro 30 minutes 2 days a week I am ready to surf.

[Big H]

I don't have that excuse Big H, but I have to do a lot of exercises out of the water just to keep myself in moderately good shape.

You don't have the excuse of lowered bodily mobility and increased muscle recovery times or pains that will never go away? Or you don't allow them to be an excuse? I try not to let it hold me back, but there is no way in the world my current condition compares to when I was 21....it just can't. Lack of hip cartilage and 12 screws and three steel plates in two different places precludes that along with 23 years of wear and tear and two angels of 7 and 8 years ......just ain't the same pard!