Is 40 Too Old To Learn To Surf?

A couple of days ago Michael Gove (MP for Surrey Heath) and Shadow Secretary for Children, Schools and Families wondered in his Times column whether 40 was too old to start surfing. He'd been inspired by Tim Winton's Breath, a novel acquiring a fair number of plaudits but which I haven't had a chance to read yet. Coincidentally, I was contacted by a reader of Surf Nation, who was also asking for an assessment of his chances of getting stoked by surfing post-40. Another friend of mine is also, age 42, taking up the sport. But have they left it too late?

In my view, there's no reason at all why a reasonably fit 40-year-old shouldn't be able to paddle out and ride a wave. Likewise, a 50-year-old, and, indeed, someone in his sixties.

The key for a raw novice in these age groups will be tuition. Children, teenagers and young adults will always learn twice as quickly as those d'un certain age; to an extent, lads such as my two sons (10 and 12) simply need to be in the water, making their own mistakes, rather than spending each weekend in a surf school. But a mature adult, even a sporty one, coming to surfing - especially if from a non-watersports background - will struggle unless the basics are taught and absorbed.

Taking up surfing post-40 will require dedication. For someone such as Michael Gove - living, as I imagine he does, in or near London (certainly, far from any surfing beaches) - regular trips to the coast will be essential. That said, it is salutary to remember that for a non-surfer, simply riding white water is a stoke-filled experience. Those who've 'got' surfing often forget this. You only need to look at the expressions on the faces of outright beginners as they ride white water to the beach to see that they're as stoked as those who've been getting barrelled for years.

I'd say, to Michael, the reader who was kind enough to drop me a line and to my friend from up the line: go for it. You might not be hitting the lip vertically at Thurso East within the first year - in fact, you're unlikely ever to do this - but surfing is one of life's most enriching activities. Those who don't are missing out.

Comments

it's never too late...todo es posible

[Lisa]

i started last year when 38. ok not 40 but getting there! it's going well and i'm trimming down the line. 40 is NOT too old!

[chris]

Did you happen to see Gotcha's recent ad campaign withthe slogan "If you Surf, never stop. If you don't, don't start."? Not the most soulful of attitudes!

[Sam]

And be sure to buy a stand-up paddle board too and prepare to meet all those friendly laid-back surfers you've heard so much about! : )

[alf alderson]

I was in the water a couple of days ago with two old mates - so old that our combined age was close on 150, and combined surfing experience about 100 years.

We all stared surfing when we were young, which we no longer are, but the point I'm getting at is if someone who is 40-plus can get the same stoke we had, whatever level of ability they reach - which they will - then it's GOT to be worth the effort!

Even more so if a politician takes it up - he may just realise, unlike his colleagues, that there is far, far more to the world than the puerile squabbling over party politics that makes the rest of society treat politicians with well deserved and utter contempt.

Surf don't preach, dude!

[Dave F]

No reason why someone in their forties shouldn't surf, or indeed skateboard. I'm 40 and learned to surf couple of years back, taking up longboard skating last year too. What I've been most surprised at is the attitudes of some contemporaries when they hear you've taken up any kind of board sport at this age. The number of people who've said: "What on earth are you doing that for?" far outstrips those with a positive, supportive view of it. Kind of baffling, but who cares? They don't know what they're missing out on. It also makes you feel slightly rebellious, which is a bonus.

It's hard going and occasionally very frustrating, but it gets easier and it's well worth all the effort. As you say Alex, quality instruction and water time is the key. Get a grasp of the basics, then score as much paddling time as possible. And if, like me, you're crap, it doesn't matter. Stoke is stoke, irrespective of your vintage.

[Gayleen]

For those just starting out, there's a new ride that might help. Check out Brush Boarding. It's a combination of surfing and snowboarding without the wet stuff. A great way to master the initial flow of riding a board.

It has been endorsed by pro surfers and snowboarders, and has just hit the market in the UK.

www.BrushBoarding.com

The next thing to learn will be popping up....

Good luck!!

[Mischief]

40 and surfing? way too old bro!

[alf alderson]

You gonna pack it in when you hit 40 then 'Mischief'?!