Woody Brown was an American blue blood who surfed until he was 90. He was a legend, and the inventor of the modern catamaran. When he wasn’t surfing, he sailed and took to the skies to set international gliding records. This guy enjoyed the waves (and the skies) for as long as he possibly could. His passion for surfing never quit. He defied his biological age and kept doing the sport he loved. While Woody was an inspiration, he definitely wasn’t average. Should the average person change their surfing habits during middle age and beyond? The answer is, it depends. Here are some things to think about as you plan your surfing future.
Are you feeling healthy and strong?
If you’re physically fit, there’s probably no good reason to change your surfing habits. If you do have nagging aches and pains, from surfing injuries or for any other reason, it may be time to lower the impact of your surfing workouts. Conventional wisdom dictates that sports for older people should be low-impact. Wave force is strong. It packs a wallop. That wallop classifies as impact. If surfing is hurting your body, you need to consider your options. Avoiding surfing in high wind conditions and staying away from bigger waves will help when stopping surfing entirely isn’t something you want to contemplate. Talking to your doctor about the shape that your body is in may be a sensible way to decide whether you should tone down your surfing or maintain your current surfing habits.
Another smart option is adding low-impact non-surfing workouts to your fitness regimen, which are age-appropriate and designed to boost strength, flexibility and general health. Pilates and Yoga are good options for the 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. Pilates is great for posture and back health. It also tones without adding any bulk. Yoga is beneficial to heart health, and has a positive impact on blood pressure. These forms of exercise won’t be hard on your body, and they’ll help you to develop or maintain strength that makes surfing easier. Surfers who are getting older may want to consider a 50/50 split between surfing and low-impact workouts.
Is your budget a factor?
When it comes to changing surfing habits with age, money may be an issue. If you’re someone who spent your younger decades chasing big waves in an array of amazing world destinations, you spent your youth doing something wonderful. Now that you’re a bit older, you may not want to spend money on surf-related travel. With any luck, there are decent local waves where you live. When people hit retirement age, some need to live on fixed incomes. They become very budget-conscious. It’s just human nature. So, consider your finances, in addition to how your body feels, and think about what you most want to prioritize.
Lots of older surfers are out there
It’s not just Woody Brown who kept surfing when he hit middle age and then headed into his golden years. There are plenty of older surfers out there. Dr. Ken Dychtwald studies Baby Boomers and society. He knows that a whole bunch of Baby Boomers came of age when surfing became a sensation in the USA. Some of these Boomers are still paddling out, and not just in America. You’ll find them in France, or Portugal, or almost anywhere.
Since there is a vibrant community of older surfers in many communities, sticking with surfing as you get older may be a great way to keep doing what you love, as you also stay connected to a like-minded tribe. How you adjust your surfing habits really depends on your body. You must listen to what it’s telling you. Even Woody Brown eventually listened: an injury made him decide to stop. If you feel good, you may not need to change a single thing. Like Woody Brown, you can keep surfing to your heart’s content.