Is it too late to take up surfing?

Question

im about to turn 16

i live right by the beach

ive always wanted to surf becuase i love the ocean and the beach, i spend all my time there but my family isnt into surfing so i never got it from them

and i want to start surfing but im not sure its too late for me becuase i know people who surf start SUPER young

and if im not too old, how would i start

thanks guys

god bless :]

Answer 1

its never to late

Answer 2

Surfing is an ocean sport. before you decide to surf, decide to know and understand the ocean. Learn to be at home with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes BIG waves. The original surfers were watermen (and women, both men and women surfed, but certain waves were reserved for royalty).

I spent almost all of my teen years, swimming, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and fishing. I even surfed in different places the Navy sent me, when it was possible. I started at 13 or 14, and most of my firends started at the same age. back in 1966, surfing wasn't a 'family' sport for most people. There are little kids, like my grand children (ages 5,6,7,8,9) who are a various stages of leasrning to surf, but there are alos guys in the 40s taking it up, too. My son-in-law started in his mid 20s, and he is completely hooked on surfing now.

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. (and, it's going to be either a longboard or a funboard [mini-mal]) Just work on your basics, and after you feel good, think about buying a board, but don't rush into anything. And, please don't waste your time (or money) buying something on line.

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. However, if they think you are just a 'kook' tourist out to rent a board, you won't necessarily get the best attention.

Most people learn best on long boards, although I have seen lots of surfers start on a short board and master it. In the long run, there are NO RULES on waht type of board you haven to learn on. Long boards are ideal for learners. There are also good internediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals and some hybrids. That is why instructors use long boards of fun boards (or even softtops).

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer. The pros there can give you the right answers!!

Good luck. Once you try surfing (and learn the 'right way') you'll have fun for life.

Take the time to check out the links, especially surfingforlife.

http://www.surfingforlife.com/history.ht...

http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

http://360guide.info/surfing/surfboard-t...

Answer 3

I started surfing at 16 and never stopped since.. go for it man itl change your life..for the better of course!

Answer 4

NEVER too old to start.  I started in my 30s.

Get a big board and go to the beach, if you've got friends that are into it surf with them, it will help you progress faster.

Answer 5

your way to old, most people start at the age a 2 weeks

Answer 6

absolutely not, you are never too old to start surfing it's something that takes a lot of practice so don't expect to pick it up in one day  start by trying to find either an instructor or someone your age that is willing to teach you once you understand the basics you should find someone to surf with and then just practice practice practice I don't know where you live but get a wetsuit if you are in cooler water just keep in mind that you want to be better

Answer 7

I don't you can be too old to start.

Find someone who knows how to surf and ask them to show you.

Or you could go to an instructor, but that would cost you.

Answer 8

Of course not!

I started when I was two, because my older brother and sister are professional, but my brother started when he was sixteen, and my sister started at age 13.

Just do it often, and you are sure to get good.

It's also not about getting good, it's about having fun.

(Yeah, I know that was cheesy)

Answer 9

you are never too old to start - unless you want to compete professionally.  But that's NOT what surfing is about - it's about having fun.  My family doesn't surf either so I started on my 13th summer.  It's really fun! I started with Surf Camp and I got a NSP fish after that which I ride on now (pop-out, so what, it's my first board and it's serving me well).  Most people who surfed super young did so because their parents FORCED them to.  Some lucky kids really WANTED to surf and their parents did know how to surf.  My theory is that if you were forced to start young, you'll be too good to care about having fun and just compete and want to win, win, win.  You lose the main element of surfing that way - passion, soul, fun - you know.  I know a friend who lives AT the beach (5 min walk away). And he's been surfing all his life - to be honest, he doesn't really care much about surfing (because his dad forced it).  He tells me I'M obsessed with surfing and I've only been surfing for a month!  

Moral of all my blabbering: Don't be that surfer who half-heartedly surfs or surfs just to win (and you wont because your making your own decision to surf), be the cool guy who surfs for fun and lives for surfing - not surfs for a living (that probably makes no sense).

NOTE: If I offended anyone who surfed since they were very young I apologize in advance but please keep this in mind.

-Ledzepfreak94

Answer 10

You are never to old to learn how to surf.

To learn the basics check out my website.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/