Learning to Surf at 30 & beyond

I was already well into my thirties when I spent an afternoon learning to surf at Smiths Beach on Phillip Island, Australia.

Ever since catching that first wave, I’ve wanted to recapture that sheer joy, that buzz, that surge of adrenaline and that feeling of satisfaction. It gave me just a glimpse of surfing but it was enough to trigger thoughts of packing up and moving to the coast and trying to learn surfing properly. I wondered why I hadn’t tried to learn to surf when I was much younger and with so many benefits from learning to surf, there really is no time like the present.

Related: Take a look at the history of surfing!

Why would you want to learn to surf in your 30s?

Why wouldn’t you learn to surf in your thirties? Is probably the better question. Age shouldn’t be an issue when learning a new sport like surfing. Sure, you may not make a pro-surfer if you start learning in your thirties and you might not be as agile as you were in your twenties but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to surf after thirty. You might even be stronger in your thirties than you were in your twenties. Surfing not only improves your physical fitness but it’s also great for your mental health too, boosting people’s moods and reducing stress. So what are you waiting for, isn’t it time that you learnt to surf?

The benefits of learning to surf after thirty

It’s exciting to learn something new

Learning to ride a wave comes with a feeling of great satisfaction and accomplishment. As you improve and gain skills, little by little you’ll feel these feelings in other areas of your life too. The excitement and sense of achievement will give you a new perspective on life and the future.

Surfing is a great workout

Making surfing part of your morning routine means you can forget boring gym routines. Surfing encourages you to improve your balance, body strength and coordination. Paddling helps to strength back and shoulder muscles whilst your core gets a good workout as you try to balance on the board. The exercises of paddling, duck diving and standing riding the wave mean you are constantly active and using your muscles. Surfing helps increase your heart rate too, it’s a great all round workout.

Surfing can be social

Surfing can be a very sociable sport, you can meet up with old friends or head out together on a surf trip. There’s also a big surf community out there including many older surfers.

Surfing is calming

If you’re looking for a sport to get away from it all you can’t go far wrong with surfing. Sitting out in the ocean glazing at a beautiful sunrise does wonders for the soul. Forgetting life’s worries catching waves is therapeutic, can promote stress relief and relaxation. You can choose to relieve stress just by chilling on your board and waiting for the right wave or by taking your frustrations out by attempting to catch every wave. Surfing everyday can be your form of mediation and a great wave to start the day.

Surfing promotes mindfulness

Surfing helps people maintain your attention and to be present as you wait for the waves and surf them. It provides an escape from the everyday stress and worries of life as the surfer focuses on the present and not other thoughts in life.

Set your own pace

Surfing has a sharp learning curve but once you’ve learn the basic skills you can go at your own pace. Just make sure you don’t tackle anything to big too soon, or any surf spot you aren’t familiar with. Take you time, enjoy the experience and have fun. You’ll improve with each surf, even when you don’t catch a single wave you’ll be gaining experience.

Develop your coordination & concentration

Surfing helps your develop your coordination and concentration by learning to read the ocean balancing on your board. In order to improve and progress with surfing these two skills will be tested and they will slowly improve as you develop. They’re great attributes that can help you in many other aspects of your life.

You’ll get closer to nature

Being out on the sea regularly you’ll come to appreciate your surroundings and the importance of nature. You’ll obtain a new perspective on the environment and learn the importance of protecting it.

The rewards of perseverance

Surfing takes a degree of perseverance in order to progress. At times it can feel like you aren’t getting anywhere or going backwards but the rewards when you do improve can make it all worthwhile. If you commit to learning and practicing as much as you can you’ll be able to overcome the mental and physical challenge of surfing. It’s an important lesson that will give yourself confidence in other parts of your life, that if you practice, commit and have perseverance you can strive for things that don’t seem possible.

Surfing encourages travel

Surfing really encourages you to look at the world in a different way, seeking out the places to catch really good waves. It’s also a great excuse for a road trip with friends. You’ll find yourself exploring new territory, meeting new people and generally having awesome, memorable experiences.

With so many benefits from learning to surf if you do have the chance to give it a go in your thirties, you won’t regret it. Surfing is a challenge that comes with many rewards and age shouldn’t be a barrier to taking on it in.