Learning to surf can be a life long practice. In surfing, the waves and the water can be different every day, or sometimes from morning to night!
Even the most advanced surfers continue to learn and hone in their skills. So it might seem like in order to surf you should have started years ago.
But what about when you want to take it up at an older age?
The truth is, while you may have an easier time learning to surf as a kid, you can learn to surf at any age, even after 50.
As long as you have no physical issues that prevent you from it, you can learn to surf no matter your age as long as you’re willing to learn.
Every new skill requires a certain amount of humility to be a beginner. In surfing this is especially so. It’s hard to look cool wobbling in a few feet of water or wiping out on a wave, especially with little kids around that get it in 5 minutes.
You have to put in the work to reap the rewards. But it’s all part of the process when it comes to surfing.
Surfing requires the use of a lot of different muscle groups. The obvious ones like the upper body while paddling, but also some you may not think of.
Standing on a board isn’t the same as standing on the ground. It requires way more use of the core, back and thighs.
You’ll build these as you practice, but a little general fitness can help your learning curve as well as help you prevent injury.
All in all, surfing is an admirable venture that comes with awesome benefits.
Benefits of Surfing
Surfing is a great activity to learn, regardless of your age because it comes with so many benefits!
Obviously first and foremost surfing is great for your physical health. Surfing is both a cardiovascular and strength training sport. It helps balance, coordination and even your mental health.
Cardiovascular Health
Surfing is a great form of cardio and so much more fun than a treadmill. Paddling and swimming, which you’ll be doing a lot of as a beginner, provide a great aerobic work out by getting your heart rate up.
Aerobic activity helps the respiratory system by increasing its efficiency. It also strengthens the heart, reducing your risk of heart disease.
So not only do you get to surf, you’re helping your heart at the same time!
Muscle Strength
Surfing also provides awesome strength training. It helps to build the major muscle groups top to bottom.
These include the shoulders, back, core, glutes and thighs. The whole process of surfing helps to strengthen the muscles which in turn helps the body protect bone and muscle mass.
Muscle strength also helps by improving balance, coordination and posture.
After 30, we slowly begin losing bone and muscle mass, thus causing a decline in balance. Surfing is a great way to help improve these losses and keep yourself strong and healthy.
Balance
Surfing is huge in helping to build better balance. We discussed how surfing can improve strength, and here the core, back and legs play a major role in keeping you upright on your board.
Balance improves overall coordination and agility. As we get older good balance becomes more and more important to help prevent injury as we age.
Surfing is a great way to continue to improve this aspect of your health in a fun and interesting way.
Mental Health
While physical health is important, mental health is just as important. Luckily, surfing can improve both!
It’s already common knowledge that exercise in general gives you a boost of endorphins, or feel good chemicals. These help to improve mood and mental well being no matter what form of exercise you choose.
But it’s also proven that spending time in nature is effective in the treatment of mental wellbeing. By choosing to learn to surf, you get to combine these benefits in a truly awesome way.
Community
Surfing opens you up to a whole new group of people with likely, similar interests. Getting out on your board and chatting on the beach is a great way to make new friends.
Ask for tips or what kind of wetsuit they use. The surfing community can be a friendly and open group of people.
Surfing Tips
Now that you’re pumped to start learning how to surf, here’s what you need to know to get started.
Lessons
While you CAN learn to surf on your own, it’s best to start with some lessons.
A trained professional (or even your friend that’s been doing it a long time) will be able to give you a run down on proper form and technique. They’ll can also give you critiques to improve performance.
Surfing is fun, but it can be unsafe if you go out with no idea what you’re doing. Starting out with lessons is the best way to learn confidence and prevent injury.
They’re easy to find too as there are surf schools at almost every beach.
Swimming
It’s important to either be a good swimmer, or have the willingness to become a good swimmer when it comes to surfing.
While you only need basic swimming ability when you’re in the shallows, it becomes very important when you get deeper. Currents can get strong, waves can come every few seconds and without strong skills, you can end up in a bad situation.
Luckily, swimming on its own is an excellent form of exercise as well. It provides aerobic benefits and it’s a no impact activity.
You can practice in a pool, but swimming and just spending time in the ocean is best. This way, you can get used to the movements and feel of the ocean to better help your surfing.
Balance
We already went over how surfing will help improve your balance, but you’ll benefit from extra practice.
Working on your balance outside of the water will make it much easier to stay upright on the water. Simple exercises like standing on one foot and raising your knee up are a great start.
But to train the most realistic way, invest in a balance board.
A balance board is almost like a personal see saw, where you place your feet on either side of a board that’s rounded underneath. Then you must keep your balance and prevent either side of the board from touching the ground.
This provides you with a kind of simulation of what you’ll be doing on your surfboard. It works the core, back and legs, all the important muscle groups for staying upright on a board.
Stretching
Stretching is important at any age, but especially in the 50s and older.
Surfing is all about flexibility and movement. If you go out cold, you run the risk of pulling a muscle or otherwise injuring yourself.
General stretches are great. Make sure to hit the neck, shoulders, back, glutes, hamstrings and quads. But to make your stretches more dynamic and beneficial, look up a basic yoga sequence, like sun salutation, and give it a try.
This method of stretching will help you warm up your muscles easier and work on giving you better overall flexibility.
Surfing can be a physically demanding activity, and to create the longest lasting career, it’s better to build good habits from the start.
Surfboard
Picking the right surfboard is crucial for any beginner. The general rule of thumb, the shorter the board, the more advanced the surfer.
This is because longer boards offer better stability, lending itself well to beginners. Not that everyone with a longboard is a beginner, as they are just as popular as shortboards.
After choosing what length of board, you also have to pick out the material. Look for one with high buoyancy.
Thicker boards are easier for balance and will rise to the surface faster after a fall. Pick a soft top or foam board. These sturdy boards will help you balance and are hard to damage.
Lastly, don’t spend a lot on your first board. Get something that you can grow with, but remember it’s going to take a lot of hits.
Related Gear
You might think that all you need to surf is your board, a swimsuit and some waves. Which is technically correct.
But there are some other things you may also want to get.
First and foremost is sunscreen. Not only should you always wear sunscreen when you go outside, but surfing can be extra harsh on the skin. The reflection on the water intensifies the sun you’re getting, running you for higher risks of burns or skin cancer.
You also may want to invest in a wetsuit and a rashguard.
A wetsuit can give you a little extra buoyancy and keep you warm. Depending on where you’re surfing, a little extra layer is always good.
When it’ warm, a rashguard will help protect the skin on your front side. As the name suggests, a rashguard prevents you from developing a rash from rubbing up against your surfboard.
Because the last thing you need while you’re learning is chafed skin.
Surf Etiquette
It’s important to remember that surfing is a culture and language all its own.
One of the biggest rules to remember is to give other surfers enough space. Especially when they’re going after a wave.
Not only is it considered rude, but it can be dangerous when your boards crash into each other.
It’s best to find a beach that’s friendly to beginners. You can ask friends that surf, or your local surf shop about the best surf spots to go while you’re learning.
In general though, as long as you follow the rule of space, the surfing community is a welcoming group.
Related Questions
What is the Average Age of a Surfer?
Surfing is great for every age group, and while many people start young, plenty of people find it later in life. Across the board, the average age of a surfer is 34
When is the Best Time to Surf?
You can surf any time throughout the day, but when it comes to the best time, there’s a scientific answer.
Generally, the best time to surf is at dawn or dusk.
During these times, the air and the water are closer to the same temperature. This creates less wind on the water, making for smoother, less choppy waves.
There are also other benefits to going in the early morning. You’ll find less people out on the waves and enjoy a healthy dose of vitamin D without the full strength of damaging uv rays.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Good Surfer?
There’s many factors that go into becoming a good surfer.
How often and how long are you able to get out in the water? As well as your physical fitness.
So while it can take anywhere from a couple hours to a couple months to learn how to surf, it can take years to decades to be a “good” surfer.