First of all, age is just a number. So, can you learn to surf at 50? Or even 60… 70? Absolutely. As long as you can move, breathe, and have a reasonable level of fitness, you can learn to surf at any age.
I’ve had the privilege of teaching 65-year-youngs in my surf lessons and retreats, and they absolutely ROCKED it. They were standing up in no time, gliding with the waves, huge smiles on their faces, and they were super grateful afterwards. Even weeks later, they were still talking about their experience.
In the end, we lost touch, but I hope they kept surfing. The point is: you can learn anything at any age if you put your mind to it. That said, there are a few tips and pitfalls to keep in mind when starting out, especially if you’re diving in for the first time. So here’s what to consider.
10 Things to consider when learning to surf at 50
1. Start small and gentle
When you’re over 50 and new to surfing, small, gentle waves are your best friend. Big waves can quickly become intimidating or even dangerous for beginners.
Starting with calmer waves allows you to focus on learning the basics, such as paddling, popping up, and balancing. Without struggling through heavy white water.
It’s normal to feel anxious in the water, especially if you’ve never surfed before. Learning to surf in smaller waves gives you the chance to build confidence gradually, and celebrate each little win, like standing up for the first time or catching a wave without falling.
2. Focus on your own journey
They say that the older you get, the fewer f*cks you give. I’m 42, and I’d say that’s true, but it really depends on how I feel and how well I’ve slept. 😉 So, if you’re similar, you might need a reminder that: comparison is the thief of joy.
It’s easy to look around, see younger surfers ripping it up, and feel discouraged. Surfing is a highly individual sport, and at 50+, your learning curve may be slower than someone in their twenties, but that’s just natural.
You may struggle with self-doubt, worrying that your body isn’t “fit enough” or that you’re too late to start. Just say f*ck it! The key is to focus on your progress, not anyone else’s.
3. Build up your core strength
Surfing demands strong core stability and balance, which naturally decline with age, unless you maintain it. Exercises like planks, standing on one leg, or yoga poses such as tree pose or warrior III help build up that balance.
Here’s one of my yoga classes, which focuses on the core and shoulders:
4. Respect your limits
Paddling, popping up, and battling the white water is physically demanding. Beginner surfers often underestimate how tiring even a short surf session can be. But, trust me, you will find out right away. After my first lesson, I felt like I got hit by a truck, and I needed 3 days to recover!
Fatigue will also affect your technique and can cause injuries, especially in shoulders, wrists, or lower back. So, listen to your body and take breaks when needed.
It’s just as important to spend time observing the waves and practicing paddling before attempting to stand up. All part of the progress.
5. Protect your joints
Over 50, joints can be stiffer or more prone to aches, particularly in knees, shoulders, and wrists. And these are exactly the areas you use in paddling and popping up! Gentle strength training, yoga, mobility exercises, and stretching can help protect your joints.
6. Warm up and cool down
You also protect your joints by warming up before you enter the water, because starting a session cold can increase stiffness and make injuries more likely. A 5–10 minute warm-up loosens muscles and increases blood flow.
Just as important: after surfing, a cool-down with gentle stretching reduces soreness and stiffness. And don’t forget to stimulate your vagus nerve to help your body recover faster.
7. Use the right equipment
Beginner surfers over 50 can better use a soft-top, longer, and wider board. Soft-tops are more stable and forgiving, making it easier to balance. Most beginner surfers struggle initially with boards that are too short or thin.
A forgiving board is just way more fun, and reduces anxiety about tipping over or getting hurt.
8. Get professional guidance
Surf lessons from a qualified instructor will speed up your progress and help you stay safe. If you’re worried about feeling out of place in a surf class full of young people, choose an instructor you feel comfortable with, like a 40+ female surf teacher with experience teaching older surfers (me, haha).
9. Learn about tides and currents
The ocean is beautiful but unpredictable. Whether you learn to surf at 50 or 15, beginner surfers may panic when caught in a stronger current. Start in supervised areas with lifeguards, and never surf alone. Learning basic safety rules, and understanding how to handle wipeouts will keep you safer in the water.
When in a current:
- Stay calm and focus on your breath. Four counts in, six counts out.
- Swim parallel to the shore, and once you feel like you’re out of the rip, swim diagonally back to shore. DON’T try to outswim the rip, as it will only exhaust you.
- If you can’t swim, float on your back. The current will eventually weaken.
- Raise one arm for help if you need assistance. Lifeguards are trained to spot this.
Here’s more specific information about staying safe on Spanish beaches.
10. Have fun and celebrate your progress
Finally, remember that every small success is a victory, and every mistake or ‘failure’ is simply a lesson learned. Enjoy being out in the elements, in the water, and just have fun with it.
You don’t need to compete with anyone, and definitely not yourself. Surfing is deeply individual, and every surfer, no matter their age, has their own unique style of dancing on the wave.
In short
Learning to surf at 50 is totally doable. It’s not about age, it’s about focusing on your own progress, building strength, flexibility, and endurance, staying safe, and most of all, enjoying your own journey.