Learning to surf at forty can be scary, but many people try to face their fears and decide to take up surfing, despite all the struggles. 

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Learning to surf at 40-Is it Too late to start?

Each day, the worldwide surfing community draws motivation from a common love of the ocean and the thrill of catching waves. 

Discover the thrill of surfing at any age, including 40 and beyond. Learning to surf is a challenging and rewarding experience, and it’s never too late to start. With the right equipment, training, and guidance, you can learn to surf and enjoy the waves like never before.

Our guide on learning to surf at 40 provides tips and advice on how to get started, including how to find the right surf school, choose the right surfboard, and stay safe while in the water.

Whether you’re looking to try something new or reignite a lifelong passion, surfing is the perfect sport for anyone looking to challenge themselves and have fun. Get started now and catch your first wave today.

Many people, however, did not start snowboarding as children or teenagers.

Surfing, for older adults( above 40), has become a place where they can go to find community, isolation, and triumph.

Individuals in the US and Australia  and many other Countries that are with godd surfing beaches are realising that the adult pursuit of surfing has various benefits, including the creation of new connections, more opportunities for travel, and a healthier lifestyle.

The fact that Gen X women will surf into their 60s, 70s, and beyond guarantees this.

The forty-nine-year-old real estate agent from Melbourne, Australia, Ell Marietta, began surfing after her divorce and while her children were in high school.

When she was starting out, she was fortunate to have an accommodating schedule, plenty of tolerance, and the time to swim around in the sea.

You can start your surfing Journey with this cool Surfing Board from Amazon

What are the struggles 40+ new surfers has to face as a beginner surfer

So, What is it about surfing that makes it move so slow? You might also ask how many times a week you should surf in order to become proficient. Is it necessary for me to enrol in surf lessons?

This is My viewpoint on surfing progress

What is it like to be referred to as a “great surfer”? In a realistic manner, do you evaluate your current situation? 

Despite the fact that you know you will never be a great surfer, or even an above-average surfer, does it still pique your interest?

Whatever your level of talent and belief in your ability to become a professional surfer, if you believe that surfing is something worth pursuing, you are on the right track. 

We’re on our way to making important and joyful progress.

What days and times do you have available to hit the waves? Years of experience and advancement are good indicators, but wave count is more precise. 

Do you think a surfer who claims to have ridden just sometimes for three decades will be able to outperform a newcomer who has been surfing every day for several years? It’s possible that’s not the case. 

If you go surfing one day a week, you may have 100 sessions in a year.

Because you’ve just recently begun your surfing career, it’s reasonable that you’re still working on perfecting your pop-up.

What strategies can you use to make the most of the few surf places that you have access to?

 Developing your skills as a competent long-boarder, someone who can occasionally travel on surf trips and have occasional surfing sessions at an average break, do you think it’s an incredible achievement? 

Or are you able to take your surfing skills to the next level by learning advanced long-boarding or other high-performance disciplines? 

Although you may be successful, it is only an accomplishment if you are having a good time doing it. Put in the effort to develop your skills and find a training partner who is on the same level as yourself.

Regardless of how difficult the situations are, you can always concentrate on improving your abilities in the categories listed above.

Providing the ocean has offered you with a learning opportunity and helped you become a better waterman, you should consider that day’s surf to be a success, regardless of whether or not you “shred.” 

After that session, take a look inward and consider anything you performed really well.

Benefit of surfing

When learning to surf, You have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain. Surfing raises your confidence and boosts your physical and mental well-being.

Besides, who doesn’t love a sunrise or sunset surf session.. eh?

Learning to surf at 40 benefits

Learning to surf at 40 can have numerous benefits that extend beyond just physical health. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Physical Fitness: Surfing is a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, strength, balance, and flexibility. It engages your core, back, shoulders, and leg muscles, promoting overall fitness and endurance.
2. Mental Well-being: Like any form of physical exercise, surfing can help to reduce stress and anxiety. The rhythm of the waves, the focus required to balance, and the rush of catching a wave all combine to provide a form of moving meditation.
3. Challenge and Achievement: Learning a new skill later in life can be a source of personal satisfaction and self-esteem. Mastering surfing, which is both physically demanding and skill-intensive, can provide a significant sense of achievement.
4. Outdoor Connection: Surfing gets you out into nature, providing the benefits of fresh air, sunshine (don’t forget sunscreen!), and the proven mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.
5. Community: Surfing can be a social activity, and the surf community can be a great place to meet new people and form supportive relationships.

Remember, it’s never too late to learn something new. The important thing is to ensure you are learning to surf safely – consider taking lessons from a certified instructor, always check the local conditions before heading out, and never surf alone if you’re still learning.

 Major Benefits from Surfing :

Because it is a  rigors workout, surfing  is an excellent method for keeping your muscles strong and toned. You burn calories while having fun. And you will get better sleep.

If you’re a surfer, you will notice better balance and flexibility, as well as healthy skin and hair.

It has been demonstrated that surfing can help to overcome tension and to alleviate stress. Surfing also aids in increasing your confidence and cultivating your enjoyment for the sport.

Lastly. You will make new friends with similar interests.

1. HOW MUCH TIME (AND MONEY) ARE YOU WILLING TO DEDICATE TO THIS?

Generally, learning to surf takes a long period. Surfers quantify their surfing experience in years.

However, the truth is that the number of years does not tell you much about your surfing ability. 

Because if you’ve been surfing for ten years but only go for a few weeks a year, you’re unlikely to progress significantly.

Whereas if you’ve been surfing consistently (at least a couple of times a month) for the last four or five years, you’re definitely rather decent.

If you’re considering a three-week or longer surf trip, consider carefully where you’re going and when you’re going.

For instance, winter in Melbourne and Queensland Beaches in Australia are ideal for experienced surfers but not so much for beginners.

Here is the small List of Beaches in Australia that are beginner Friendly:

• First Point – Noosa Heads – Queensland. First Point – Noosa.
• Greenmount Beach – Coolangatta – Gold Coast Queensland.
• Clarkes Beach – Byron Bay – New South Wales.
• Yamba Main Beach – New South Wales.
• Crescent Head – New South Wales. 
• The Farm – Shellharbour NSW.

Summer or fall is the greatest times for beginners, especially if you intend to remain for an extended period.

If you’re not a fan of crowds, consider travelling during the shoulder or low season. While you may have fewer ‘good days,’ you are more likely to catch more waves on your excellent days.

Boards, wetsuits, flights, and surf lessons are all expensive. I would recommend renting equipment and taking courses vs purchasing all of your equipment and a van and attempting to learn on the road for the best value. I attempted it.

And in my first month working at a surf camp, I learnt more than I did in a year spent driving around trying to become a pro surfer on my own.

2.Pro surfers who started late

Realistically speaking, it’s 100% accurate. 

If you’re a surfer, you’re probably in your 30s or 40s at the most, unless you’re a freak of nature like Kelly Slater, in which case you’re probably in your 60s. 

Surfing is a sport that requires a lot of pain and sadness in order to progress, and as someone who started surfing at the age of 27 I must say that I had to go through a lot of pain and sorrow in order to push myself to grow, says Merium, melbourne.

The exhaustion of surfing for eight hours a day, getting cut on rocks, and trying to catch one more wave despite being exhausted and freezing, only to be skunked. 

Older bodies lack flexibility and strength, and children have such a light frame that they are better equipped to learn new abilities like balance. 

And, perhaps most crucially, you have an endless supply of energy when you’re a youngster. 

When you’re a grownup, you have to strike a balance between work and leisure, and that involves giving up something, whether it’s sleep hours, time with friends, or even your career.

3.How I learned to surf in middle age

Also, do you think it makes sense to discourage people over the age of 18 from learning how to surf? 

Finnegan doesn’t exactly try to praise Surfing as the Holy Grail to Mental and Physical Health à la Dr. Mark Renneker; rather, he fully points out all of the fuckups, derelictions of duty, and sacrifices he’s had to make to fit surfing into his life; in fact, he doesn’t even want his own daughter to surf because he’s afraid it will swallow her up. 

Dr. Mark Renneker is a proponent of the idea If the majority of people are unwilling to try, and let’s face it, learning to surf has one of the steepest learning curves of any physical sport that man has ever devised, then is it terrible to just be honest? 

If someone is confident enough in themselves to challenge the status quo by being the one who breaks the pattern, then they should demonstrate their claim by swimming for an extended period of time. 

Is it rational to tell every soccer mum going through a midlife crisis that “surfing will rescue your life” when in reality doing so would do nothing more than add stress to their lives? 

Has it actually the case that surfing is a positive influence on everyone’s lives one hundred percent of the time? Finnegan argues that there is ample evidence to suggest such is not the case. 

And there is some truth to the saying that “surfing can wreck your life,” in that it encourages you to shirk all of your obligations and to live your life in a self-absorbed manner for the sake of your own personal pleasure… because in the end, that’s all surfing is: recreation.

“I agree,” said Ann Miller from Melbourne. At the age of 24, one of my friends began surfing. 

He gave up his job and went to South Africa to work at a surfing hostel there instead. Has subsequently relocated to Indonesia, where he (presumably) still surfs on a regular basis.

It’s been a few years since I’ve had any contact with him, but the most recent string images I’ve seen of him show him looking calm, collected, and at ease when surfing double overhead waves. 

Although he is not a professional or planning to join the circuit, his development is surely motivational.

4. Get a Healthy Body and Mind!

Surfing is a sport that’s really difficult. You must have  also seen individuals of various ages and sizes learn to surf fast. You needn’t worry about diminishing your chances for your size or age. A decent fitness level will be quite helpful.

Swimming and training in strength are outstanding advice for boosting general fitness and strength in all levels of surfing ability.

Yoga enhances flexibility, strength and attention that help people to overcome their fear of water. 

The movement of the body and its core strength is strengthened by Pilates. Improve the speed and the control of your board with strong core strength.

Swimming is good for your strength, chest and back. Swimming is good. 

Do whenever you have access to one by swimming inside of a pool to increase your paddling shoulder strength. To boost your strength and build more Muscles, you can employ CrossFit and weight training.

Some people regard surfing as a completely quiet, stress-free lounge sport on your surfboard as a perfectly smooth wave. 

You may think it’s a bit more like paddle paddle roll, get broken up, duck turtle roll, paddle paddle paddle, oh my god, my god here’s the wave but typically it’s just paddle paddle… get hit, duck dive turtle, paddle paddle.

Stop cigarettes  Please! You must have your lungs to supply oxygen to all your muscles. You quickly smoke pneumatics.

5. Do Your Research

The rules in the water are to be followed by every one. Figure who is first in line when it comes to the board.

Register in classes of water safety. Train your balance as you learn to dive and roll a turtle.

Find out from a local surf shop or a beach café or from a local surf school about any special dangers for a certain beach. For Instance , some beaches in Australia are Shark Infested and not ideal for Surfing.

This is the team with whom you would like to work. I would avoid asking strangers to help me until I actually needed to, even if it doesn’t seem pleasant at all.

It is not meant to upset anybody to say that local surfers are standoffish. Surf instructors and surf businesses will help you more.

You can also look for the particular beach or geographical place, where you can surf to organise your preparation. 

Some locations are not known for localism, but some are only known if there are plenty of activities. Business is slow or aggressive for some areas.

6. Join surf courses and surf guiding

Surfing lessons are helpful to a complete beginner who knows nothing about the ocean. Even for an Intermediate, who has done some surfing long ago, it’s vital to know current Surfing ethics and other tips from coaches.

You may choose to enrol in a Surf Instruction or Surf Guide class. It can take several years to get acquainted with the local weather conditions and comprehend all the aspects that affect wave quality.

These surf courses include such terms as swell, tide, sandbanks, and season, all of which are in constant flux. 

 You may need to spend a lot of time in their cars, cruising about just to observe the water, checking out the locations. 

In general, if you go surfing by yourself, you won’t catch much in the way of waves. To catch the most waves, work with locals, seek out a surf guide, or take a surf course.

You don’t need to attend surf school if you are only renting a space. However, if you are both renting and surfing, go to the same beach at the same time. Or you can follow the advice of an instructor or other locals.

Intermediate surfers who want to practise in two unique sites in northern Portugal can visit Survivor Surf Camp for excellent lessons.

7. Know What would you need to surf.

WETSUIT

In order to learn surfing, get a wetsuit first. Whether you can, it is recommended that you spend time trying on different wetsuits in different shops.

If you haven’t tried the suit on, don’t bother ordering it online. A good fit is quite crucial.

This is because wetsuits may cause skin irritation via rubbing, and the irritation is much more likely to occur when the wetsuit is too small.

Wetsuit rash might be difficult to heal if you can’t keep your head out of the wetsuit. Wetsuits will return to their normal length after use.

Wetsuits that are overly large at the outset won’t keep you warm for long if they stretch. Surf store employees should be able to help you select and advise on your surfboard’s size.

There are certain brands that are more effective for various folks. For girls and boys who are little, there is something you should know: you can fit into kids’ wetsuits.

Compared to the cost of the wetsuits, kids wetsuits are nearly the same in quality, and they’re nearly half the price. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, you hit the lottery! as much as you’d like to put towards your surfboard”

Surfing BOARD for 40+

Information on choosing your first surfboards is readily available on the internet. 

And here is more, if you’re interested.

You can learn a lot about purchasing a surfboard by talking to surfers who have seen your surfing. It’s always a good idea to talk to several people because everyone has various ideas.

The best advice I can give you is to save your money. There are some good stock at Amazon that you can Purchase your Surfing board from. 

There’s nothing wrong with buying used.

Instead, you should invest your money in surf training and flights so you don’t have to spend more money in the long term.

For surfboard guidance, use our email address to talk about your surfing experience level and ambitions.

What is the best age to learn to surf

When they are able to paddle and catch waves on their own, children between the ages of 8 and 10 are often ready to begin learning how to surf.

The majority of children younger than 8 years old do not have the necessary strength to independently manage a surfboard. 

In addition to this, making swimming a priority for children at an early age will help them become more at ease while they are in or near water.

This does not mean that you cannot introduce them to the sport of surfing when they are younger by engaging in activities such as playing at the beach, bodyboarding, or even taking a surfing lesson together; 

however, by ensuring that your expectations are realistic, you will be able to ensure that the activity remains enjoyable for both you and your child.

Children advance in their knowledge and abilities as a result of accumulating a great deal of experience and practising their talents repeatedly. 

Imagine that a surf beach represents four distinct developmental regions for your child to grow into.

The Beach — At first, all children want to do is run around and play on the beach. 

Participating in activities such as building sandcastles, jogging around, playing games, and investigating tidal pools all contribute to the accumulation of experience. It’s possible that at initially, the children won’t even want to get in the water.

Shore Break. – The region where waves first make contact with the coast is known as the shore break. 

The majority of children begin to build up their level of comfort in the water by playing on a bodyboard, putting their toes in the water, and running away from waves.

The region known as Beginner Waves consists of water that is rather shallow and features waves of a smaller size. 

The majority of children will first learn how to catch waves by having a parent or teacher push them into the water when waves are breaking. Young surfers who develop their skills will eventually be able to ride waves without assistance.

The main break is the place where surfers wait for the waves to break, and it’s also the name of the break itself. 

Young surfers should have a significant amount of experience and be able to demonstrate great swimming abilities before heading out to this location on their own.

It is essential to emphasise the fact that your child’s growth will be determined by their degree of comfort and their exposure to new experiences.

No matter how old they are when they begin, your child may not feel secure enough to try surfing for a number of years, due to the fact that the ocean may be a frightening and daunting place.

What can you Expect For Your First Surf Lesson?

Whether you are 40+ or 20+ learning to surf is a great Experience. 

It is  Nothing less than a life-changing orgasmic experience that transports you through various dimensions of time and space.

In a Nutshell, you should anticipate having a great time.

You may be anxious, but note that the whole point of surfing is to have a good time.

It’s an invention that exists solely for the purpose of entertainment. 

So go in with a positive mindset and don’t place too much pressure on yourself to perform spectacularly and be a super ripper after your first attempt.

The best surfer is always the one who is having the most fun out there, and the same is true for lessons.

What exactly happens during a surf lesson? What is the mechanism behind it?

There will be two sections of the surf lessons

1.The lesson on the sand-Mostly Theory
2.Practice in the ocean- Practicals

It’s similar to a classroom theory followed by a lab in your Chemistry class !!I’ll guide you through every step of a typical surf lesson briefly.

The first step is the lessons on the sand, it’s like the theory part.

1. Coaches would begin by describing the various components of the board and their roles. They will let you know Importance of wearing Rash-guard wear and full arms surfing wetsuit.
2. Then coaches will show everybody where to stand on the platform, how far apart their feet should be, and clear up any confusion about goofy vs. normal. Normal is on the left foot, while Goofy is on the right foot.
3. The teacher shows the students how to stand on the board before showing them how to pop up to their feet so that they have a target to aim towards once they’ve popped up.
4. After the pop-up, they will aim for the next step.
5. Coaches will also talk about water safety.

The Pop-Up

The pop-up. The pop up is how surfers get to their feet from lying prone on their board after paddling and catching a wave.

Safety Brief

Now that you’ve practised your pop up heaps and you’re all hot and sweaty and dying to get in the water, there’s just one more thing to go over. Safety.

Now it’s time to have some fun in the water. It’s time to get in the water and ride the waves.

If you have a big group, your teacher will take you in one at a time, giving each person a wave before everyone is in the water at the same time.

Your teacher will assist you in navigating the waves, then turn your board around and tell you to get on. It’s time to get started.

Your first wave will be caught by you.

You’ll be riding the whitewash or the part of the wave that remains white after it breaks. With a white water wave coming from behind, you’ll lie down on your board.

Your teacher will tell you to paddle while holding the back of your board.

What to Wear First Time Surfing?

It’s so important to stay dry and protect your skin from getting sunburnt. 

And if you’re not in excruciating pain from a bad burn, you’re much more likely to go surfing the next day.

The next step is to put on a surfing wetsuit. Water can be very chilly even in the summer. 

If you visit somewhere like the Gold coast of Australia for the first time, it is far from tropical.

So, depending on the water temperature, you may want to consider wearing a wetsuit to keep comfortable.

• If the water is warm and you aren’t wearing a wetsuit, a rash-guard is a must.
• The wax on your board, as well as the foam tops, can cause a rash on your stomach.
• A rash guard shields you from the surfing board and, as the name implies, protects you from rashes.

Aside from that, dress as you would on every other beach day.

1. Wetsuite

2.Water proof Dry Ankle Pouch

3. Bikini Shorts 

4. Flip Flops

5. Don’t forget to bring a good quality towel!

6. Surfing Changing robe

7. Rash Guard (Women) suit

Wrapping up!

I have to admit that taking surfing lessons when you are 40 or older (for the most part) is a fantastic idea.

At the very least, a good coach will teach you some etiquette and how to’read’ a break (in terms of rips, etc.) – which will give you an indication of how safe you are in the situation.

When someone else can detect your mistakes and rectify them for you before you develop any long-term poor habits, it’s a whole other level of satisfaction!

A few months of morning courses where someone explains the principles (and how to be safe) and teaches you a few basic techniques is a good idea, and then it’s always practised and practise makes a man or woman a perfect surfer is probably a good investment…