The Pros and Cons of learning how to Surf when you're over 40

 

 

Celebrating my 10th year anniversary of being a surfer, I'm a testament to experiencing first hand the transformative power of nature, it's health benefits and have realized that wave riding is an excellent gateway to the fountain of youth. So I'm excited to share this blog with you on what it's like to learn how to surf as an older adult and what it's like now being in my 50's. 

12 years ago in my 40's, I decided to move to California after leaving Las Vegas where I sent my children off to college in other places. I had forgotten that I dreamed of being near the Ocean since I was a little girl. It was my mid-life evolution as an entrepreneur and empty nester. 

Once settled in here, I was on a quest to find something that would make my heart light up and cater to my spirit.  Despite having no real athletic background, my goal was to make fitness my lifestyle. It took about 2 years of experimenting with different lifestyles like joining a hiking group where we would meet up at 6 am to hike at a different mountain every week.

 Although I absolutely was amazed to see the most incredible views only previously seeing in movies along with the smell of fresh air at the top, I could never keep up with the group. Often feeling physically over-strained from the pace, difficulty level, sinus problems and experiencing altitude issues were very frustrating. Also, sprained my ankle from an intermediate hike which subdued my motivation, so I quit. 

 Now, I just go at my own pace by myself or with my grand children who enjoy taking the time to look around at the flowers, greenery and little bugs on the path. Then I got fascinated with learning the different practices of yoga at various studios. 

From Kundalini to Vinyasa flow to hot yoga. My most memorable experiences were when they used to have a New Years eve yoga and meditation event that lasted from 8 hours. That was so life changing for me and my body. It opened up stored tension that had been trapped in my muscle fibers for years. 

Even though, I will do yoga for the rest of my life, I found most of the classes quite intimidating. Everyone would be standing on their head and doing all sorts of athletic poses while it was very hard for me with my non-athletic background and my specific body type. I was just being introduced to this type of stuff. From that I went on to a biking group and definitely couldn't keep up with their pace.

Bodyboarding with fins gave me the stamina and conditioning to surf

Earnestly, I was doing my due diligence with seeking something that really resonated with my need for freedom and adventure. That's when I met someone who taught me about the Ocean. My introduction to the surf life was learning on a body board which is a larger version of a boogie board meant to be paired with wearing swim fins on your feet. It gives you more momentum with riding bigger surf inside the curl of the wave. Bodyboarders typically are in  line-up catching the same waves as intermediate and advanced surfers instead of near the shore. 

Reflecting back on my beginning, it was the best preparation I could've done with only having experience with swimming in a pool. It helped build my stamina, read the waves more efficiently being closer in the water than surfers, tighten my core as well as strengthen upper body muscles and get use to having sea legs.

 I lost so much weight from doing it, I literally started getting back on my bodyboard this past summer because you definitely burn much more calories than surfing. Also, swimming in general is very therapeutic for recovery. As we get older our bodies need that extra help to keep it running like a well oiled machine. 

About 6 or 7 months later, when I decided to try surfing, my body was more conditioned for the combination of physical strength, balance and endurance it takes to surf. 

The Pros of learning to surf when you're over 40

As mature adults, there's many reasons we can become interested in wanting to try surfing. First off, it's one of the fastest growing leisure sports since the 1950's. It's something different to do then just laying on the beach all day. 

Maybe your children have moved out and started their own lives, you've gotten settled into your careers and more extra time or have gotten to the point where we are more open to a work to live mentally instead of a live to work mindset. Also, as we get older, we just want to try new hobbies that give us a better quality of life, enriching experiences and most importantly connect with nature. Some of the beneficial things about it are:

1. Improves your Physical Fitness. Learning to surf requires a combination of using your instincts, mental awareness, physical strength, balance and endurance to pop up on a moving surfboard. As a result, it can improve your overall mental and physical fitness as older adults. It also inspires you to stretch more which is always a good thing and eat healthier.
2. Increased Mental Health Benefits. Surfing can provide a sense of accomplishment and liberation, leading to increased self-esteem and reduced stress levels. It has the capacity to feel like a spiritual experience for the healing affects of the Oceans properties as well as enlightening. As older surfers, improving our mental health slows down the aging process. 
3. Better Balance. Popping, riding a wave and even sitting on your surfboard requires  balance and coordination, which can prevent falls in older adults as well as improve quicker hand and body reflexes. 
4. Social Opportunities. Surfing can be a great way to meet new people and form new social connections. Many surf communities are tight-knit and supportive, providing a positive environment for older adults to engage with others. 
5. Opportunities for Adventure. Surfing offers a unique experience that can take you to new and exciting places, and provide a change of pace from the daily routine. 

However, with the benefits mentioned above, there are some real issues with being over 40 that can present problems for us.

Cons of Learning to Surf when You're over 40

1. Physical Challenges. Surfing can be physically demanding, especially for older adults who may not have the same level of physical fitness and agility as younger surfers. This can be very frustrating when taking off to catch a wave and someone competes with you to out paddle you to get it. 
2. Cost. Surfing can be an expensive sport, with the cost of equipment, lessons and travel.  Ageism with job security may be concern or living on a fixed income with having a mortgage, helping kids with college loans, rebranding your business like I did or preparing for retirement are just some of the factors as older adults are valid concerns.
3. Safety concerns. Surfing is an extreme sport and can be dangerous, particularly for older adults who may be prone to injury. As we get older our bones can develop more fragility and our muscles more stiff with the stress induced from overwork as well as years of just living life. Our reflexes our a little slower and we may not be able to paddle as fast to get  past the impact zone in bigger surf. Learning your abilities and listening to your body is crucial when dealing with the changing conditions the ocean presents. 
4. Learning curve. Learning to surf can be a very challenging and a time-consuming process, requiring dedication and patience. It may take longer for older adults to learn and progress compared to younger individuals. The importance of finding the right Instructor to teach you more than just the pop up, sitting on the board and catching a couple of waves can affect your morale with the challenges you'll face with the unpredictability of being in the sea regularly.                                                                      It's easy to find surf schools for youth but as an older adult needing specialized lessons especially in terms of how our bodies move differently and recover, the New Surfers guide on Etsy (@ Beach Culture Biz ) can help you progress over the learning curve faster. 
5. Difficulty finding People to relate to. With the average age of Surfers being around 32 and under, it can be difficult to find People who you can have well rounded conversations or understanding the physical nuances your body may be prone to that younger surfers don't experience or recover from faster. They may take chances that as we've gained more experience with through the years won't take because we're perceptive about the consequences. 

The benefits of being a Surfer over 40 is more than just about catching waves...

Aside from the pros and cons of learning how to surf when you're older,  it's more than just about riding waves. It's about living a lifestyle that is in harmony with the ocean and it's environment. The mantra of the culture  goes "The Best Surfer is the one having the most Fun". As long as you're having a great time, you feel comfortable and at peace, that's really the joy of it all. 

 The beauty of  connecting to nature where you are forced to be in the present moment and watching Dolphins as they pass by when sitting on your surfboard is an epic encounter to be apart of.  Whether you're looking for a new physical challenge, mental health boost, or adventure, surfing can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience with dedication and perseverance. 

I hope this gave you some insight and if you'd like to learn some  easy stretches for surfers over 50 .