Brains trust, I'm 57, reasonable fit, 85kgs, surf a few times a month. I'm currently on a 6.6 @ 43 litres. But I'm struggling (probably be ok by the end of winter again), but for now by the time I'm able to stand in generally left with an acid drop and as I'm not getting any quicker things get harder from there. Generally surfing offshore/islands waves in the Midwest.
I'm looking to see what guys in my possie are riding and are there are any suggestions for boards, size etc.

I don't really know but have you tried to do a bit of swimming to help your paddling.

I don't think what others ride is going to help you much as we all have different surfing abilities. I find that if I haven't surfed for a few weeks is shows, so now I try to get down most weekends for a surf. As in the previous post swimming for paddling and doing pop-ups at home. At least you keep that muscle group working.

Short of that, sounds like you heading towards a "goat boat" :) :)

I'm sorry for you loss

Get a fish more litres and a bit more length and less parralel outline

Thanks for the responses guys, I'm leaning towards a mid length. Maybe CI mid or Lost Smooth Operator

As per above - swimming definitely helps maintain arm and shoulder strength. I swim 1.5km at least once a week and throw in a sprint lap for the final 50m. I also cycle a bit and like to throw in some hills for aerobic fitness - as as soon as you start getting puffed your paddling in to waves suffers.

I also moved to a large 8'0" fish and have found that really helps me score more waves. I am 55yo and 108kg...

I see plenty of older and bigger guys surfing smaller boards and they are really kidding themselves... they miss more waves than they get and soon enough they leave the water in frustration. Swallow your pride and get a larger board and enjoy the extra waves that come with it.

My problem is my eyesight in the water is letting me down!

Get a mid length they are super fun
something in the 7' to 7'4" range
similar manoeuvrability to a shorty but way easier as you get older
Not normally a firewire advocate but think something like this would be the go
www.firewireaus.com/products/sunday?variant=38512283844793
longboards can be really fun too, although getting one involves admitting your old it's worth it ha!

You can have one of these landed inside a week. I haven't ridden either, but I've had a lot of boards from Muzz, and he's great to deal with as well as an awesome shaper.

pipedreamsurfboards.com/collections/boards-online/products/the-gentleman?variant=39311356100721

pipedreamsurfboards.com/collections/boards-online/products/the-anti-mal

I hope this isn't unwelcome, but I've been through the gears of weight gain and unfitness, getting stiff and slow etc etc, a few times and I have to say that any time that you spend on your fitness, diet and general wellbeing will pay off handsomely in the surf. A kilo lost is a litre gained, and you don't have to drag it around with you. One little thing I do that helps a lot...go to the beach or a park. Pick a spot 50m away. Run to it...drop and do 5 or 10 push-ups. Run back and repeat until you've got 100 push-ups or a mouth full of sand. Good for pop ups and endurance.

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Clamsmasha said..
You can have one of these landed inside a week. I haven't ridden either, but I've had a lot of boards from Muzz, and he's great to deal with as well as an awesome shaper.

pipedreamsurfboards.com/collections/boards-online/products/the-gentleman?variant=39311356100721

pipedreamsurfboards.com/collections/boards-online/products/the-anti-mal

I hope this isn't unwelcome, but I've been through the gears of weight gain and unfitness, getting stiff and slow etc etc, a few times and I have to say that any time that you spend on your fitness, diet and general wellbeing will pay off handsomely in the surf. A kilo lost is a litre gained, and you don't have to drag it around with you. One little thing I do that helps a lot...go to the beach or a park. Pick a spot 50m away. Run to it...drop and do 5 or 10 push-ups. Run back and repeat until you've got 100 push-ups or a mouth full of sand. Good for pop ups and endurance.

Thanks mate, looks like a nice board. But l settled on a 7.6 yahoo Moana. Just arrived today.
Your right about the fitness, and I've recently started up a soccer group here in Jurien, that's got to help I reckon.
Cheers regards

One of the things I've noticed as I get older, it takes longer to get up a head of steam, (shows how old I am).

padlle 100m to the break and I feel exhausted, puffing away like an old steam train. But after catching a few waves, the heart rate come up. The body realises it's supposed to be in work mode, and everything gets easier.
I think when I was 65 I'd gone to 8'. I was still catching waves on my 7' but waves here can be green and slow, if a bit small. So the 8' worked better most of the time.
At 77 I'm now on a very floaty 9', but I'm going to have to practise the advice here, to do regular "pop ups" as getting my feet in a good place on take off, is my biggest problem now.

mate your an inspiration to us all if your still surfing at 77. well done, bet you have had a lot of waves in your life

At 55yo I am aiming to still be surfing at 60yo.. 77yo is a massive achievement and something that you should be very happy with.
I'm not a fan of push-ups, but I do lift some weights a couple of times a week - and I find if I don't you can lose the arm strength and then your sessions become shorter before your arms fade due to tiredness...

Again, well done on your time in the surf!

Got any photos of surfing around WA in the 60s and 70s decrepit? Keen To see them if you do...always good to do a bit of time travel

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Ctngoodvibes said..
Got any photos of surfing around WA in the 60s and 70s decrepit? Keen To see them if you do...always good to do a bit of time travel

I did post quite a few here several years back, may be hard to find now.

Guess I better start anew thread.