Am I too old to eventually start surfing competitively?

Question

I'm 19 years old and have never really surfed before. I can snowboard, and grew up figure skating. So I guess I'm quick to pick things up when I really want to be. I definitely have the hunger and drive, ;) but I'm a little worried about my age. :/

Answer 1

no, a lot of people start in their 30's and 40's

Answer 2

Haha man...you're not too old at all, with a lot of daily practice and determination you can surf like a hawaiian.  Be sure to watch plenty of videos on surfing so you know how to get the best techniques down...but hey, whatever makes you comfortable.

Answer 3

you are def. not too old to start surfing. My friends dad started when he was 21 and is 28 now and is semi pro.

Answer 4

i started surfing at 34 and im one of the best in the world look me up...

Answer 5

you are never to old to do anything. i know people in there 50s!!! who started surfing

Answer 6

no your not to old I say if you can pick things up quickely start now! all you really have to do is lovve the sport and practice all year long not just during the season. I say go for it you have nothing to loose

Answer 7

guys remember he said start surfing competitively, not surfing in general.

you normally dont start competitive surfing when you 50. on the other hard your only19 so you still could try if you like surfing and if your good enough.

but I'm not going to candy coat it, because you may not be a great surfer. if you have never swam in the ocean and never even tried to surf you may find it hard to enter compositions in the next few years.

but good luck to ya.

edit. hey Kaddman, how are we supposed to look you up when we don't even know your name, i don't really care because i know your not "one of the best surfers in the world" but i just want to point it out. ha ha

tbh07: don't bull$hit him, you can surf for a month and get to the same level as a "Hawaiian" who has been surfing there whole life. i feel bad for you and the guy your giving your **** to

Answer 8

no, but there are a few other questions you should ask yourself:

Do you have easy access to excellent waves?

Do you have the free time and finances to surf everyday?

If you can live at home with your parents and work only part time, it is possible to train for competition.

If you have to work full time or go to school, pay rent and bills, forget about it. You don't have the free time necessary. You have to figure out what your priority is.

Competitive surfing is dominated by kids who were home-schooled by their wealthy parents so they could surf everyday and travel the world. Some say Dane Reynolds started late at age 12 and he is easily the best surfer in the world right now. But once he decided to compete, he dropped school and didn't work, just focused on surfing.

You can do it, you just need to understand the sacrifice of time, money and education it requires.

Answer 9

There is a yes and no to this question. No, you are never too old to do anything you set your mind to. The Yes, is you are too old, at 19, to think that you can start to surf and become and instant competitor. There is obviously far more to surfing than you have considered.

Also, competitive surfing, like other competitive sports takes countless hours of practice. That means you really have to live someplace where it is warm and has at least marginally good surf year round. Okay in SoCal, not so good in Oregon or New Jersey.

I think, perhaps, you better consider what surfing involves before you worry about being a competitor. And, with that in mind, decide whether or not you can devote the time and energy (and money). Also, at 19 years old, most of the guys I surfed with either in the Military, in college, or working grown up jobs, so surfing full time was  reserved only for the very best (and either richest, or best sponsored surfers).

Surfing is an ocean sport, to do it right, you have to be at home in the ocean, with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes big waves. I don't just mean being good at swimming in a pool, the ocean can be very unforgiving. I have seen lots of really good pool swimmers have to get rescued. You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don't want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave.

Lessons are usually the best way to start, unless you are an adolescent or young adult with lots of pals who surf who can teach you. Go to a real surf shop. The folks there can hook you up with lessons, and even rent you a board to learn on. Just work on your basics, and after you feel good, think about buying a board, but don't rush into anything.

Some folks have said that skateboarding may help. Well, any balance improving activity can be helpful to improve your surfing. That could be skate, snow, wake or skim boarding, working out on a Indo board, or doing the balance beam. HOWEVER, surfing is nothing like skateboarding. You have to paddle and catch a wave. First, and most important, you have to be at home in the ocean. You need to learn the mechanics of surfing, paddling out, catching a wave and standing up on the surfboard. It is after you have gotten all that down, that your balance becomes important, and if you have good balance (because, perhaps, you skateboard), that will only help you ride better.

Be careful of what you read here on line. There are lots of really well meaning young folks who have neat answers about surfing, but at 55, I tend to classify anyone under 25 as a kid. After I found this site, I figured that I could answer a few questions, and spread the 'good news' of surfing. After you learn to swim and master the ocean, get your REAL advice from a surf shop, where industry professionals earn their rent money selling surfboards.

I have been surfing since 1966, and had a lifetime of fun. take the time and learn the 'right way' and you will have a lifetime of fun too. Good luck.

Answer 10

Surfing is a lot different than most other extreme sports, so focus on getting up before challenging Slater.

Answer 11

You can enter local competitions but getting into the WCT would be a super long shot.

Who cares about contests anyways....just go surf and have fun.

Answer 12

Not at all. If you're totally serious and balls to the wall about it, you can be able to improve fast enough to be competitive by 21.  However, there is much more to surfing than just standing on a board, you have to make surfing a lifestyle and not a hobby (ie. making it an everyday thing), and also improve your fitness level.

Many people getting into surfing for the first time are often discouraged because of how much work it is. The sport is intense and very physically demanding. To be a top notch surfer, you have to be in extremely good shape. If you have to miss days of surfing, swim laps in the pool or run on the treadmill to keep your cardio level up for the next swell. Reason why fitness level is so important is not only for survival, but to compete against the competition you'll have to be able to paddle as fast/faster than them if you want a prayer for getting position.

If you're willing to put in the hard work though, I don't see why you can't be competitive in the near future. Back in my younger years, I started surfing at 16, and at 18 managed to place top 3 several times in local contests against sponsored riders who have been surfing since age 5-10. Got convinced that school was a more surefire route to paying the bills, so I didn't make the decision to attempt going pro. Although I wasn't top dog of my age division, I was competitive. Don't see why a 19 year old wouldn't be able to do the same. You're still very young and have a lot of time. However, earlier the better. If you're serious I suggest you start right now with both the surfing and training. Good luck!