I may give up Surfing

[Oldie]

I love this sport. But as an old beginner (started 5 years ago), I am not good at it and landlocked with 250km to the closest (windswell) beach. The last experiences were: Sickness in Morocco, No waves in California, Corona cancelled trip to Spain. For the next days we planned some days off at the North Sea and the forecast is completely flat. I only have 25-30 days/year that I can go, and that requires planning, dedication, and family compromises. But then the waves also need to cooperate, which often they do not. Somehow it feels like starting from scratch every time - the last nice surf was in August 2019. Sorry for the rant; but I am getting really frustrated and wonder wether I should even try to continue with such limited opportunities in a sport that is so demanding.

[dtc]

Yes, it can be hard. I have had to give up many sports over my time for family and other commitments (cricket for example, which was my main sport for 20 years).

When you don’t live on the beach and visit infrequently, then surfing wise it’s 2 steps forward, 1.5 steps back and can be frustrating. You just want to spend 2 months surfing every day to crack it, not taking 7 years to notice improvement. Fitting in family demands and other interests during your brief holidays - can be impossible. Ask me how I know....

All I can suggest is, at worst, keep surfing as a fun activity that you do whenever you can. If that’s 15 times a year then it’s 15 times a year. If it’s one week then it’s one week. One of my friends, who I did my first few years of surfing with (in our late 30s) and was really keen, now just keeps a softboard around and surfs when he can, expectations kept low, sees it as something fun rather than a pursuit. But he did go through a bit of an emotional ‘break up’ to get to that stage (we both live 2-2.5 hrs from the beach, his family had a holiday house but they sold it and so he lost cheap and easy access).

Jaffa moved from the beach to the mountains!

However you can still have fun - due to lockdown had my first surf in 4 months on the weekend and it’s still definitely worth it, even with the long breaks. Yes you flounder around but then you catch that one wave and it’s all there

I guess a very long winded way of saying concentrate on what you can do, not what you can’t. Enjoy what you can. Sometimes life is a bitch

[jaffa1949]

Oldie hang in there, plan holidays with family in mind and a bonus if you get a surf.
operating. out of Austria as you know, a soft beater board or even better, the stealth surf device, agenuine surf mat and a good pair of flippers,

Tactic response and no excess baggage, I will go dig up a video.
Heaps of fun and surprisingly fast!

[BaNZ]

Perhaps try an artificial wave? I've never been on one so no idea how that is.

[oldmansurfer]

I only surf somewhere around 25 days a year at this point and only around 30 minutes each day I do surf but still enjoy it. In my case it doesn't require planning just nothing else getting in the way. But if you loose the enthusiasm for it then find something else that you can be enthused about. It's important to stay in shape and having motivating factors that keep you interested in staying in shape makes it all easier to accomplish.

[Silvery]

I know the feeling oldie, had one surf last month since early January, 240 miles round trip, for a couple of very rusty hours in the water but the couple good waves I got, I say good by my kookie standards made it worth it. I'm hopeful I'll get my six weeks down Cornwall end July, was you planning Bicarosse this summer? Some good sensible advice above , just enjoy as a bonus on holiday, we're both similar ages and experience, just enjoy what we get, surfs up.!!

[Silvery]

Last month, you know you want to

[BaNZ]

Last month, you know you want to

What is this beach called? If I ever get a chance, I need to surf this beach.

[Silvery]

It's cayton bay, about 4 miles south of Scarborough.
Where abouts are you

[Oldie]

Hi all, thank you for Feedback. Lovely spot, Silvery - we have no plans for summer yet due to Corona.

The only artifical wave nearby is like this: https://prime-surfing.de/surf-langenfel ... -pid21318/
That is pretty boring after a while and nothing like being in the ocean and trying to catch waves.

Oldman - thanks - the enthusiam is not gone, but frustration about opportunities is getting bigger and biger, I have a lot of other stuff I do (competitive golfing, running, swimming, mountain biking, skiing), so lots of opportunities to stay active and in shape. And enough opportunity to meet Jaffa somehow somewhere

I will probably become more opportunistic about surfing - just take it as it represents itself, and accept my own limitations.

BTW - our forecast. That spot needs Swell from the North or West. I did not know wave energy can get that low, not even in my bathtub... https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/No ... st/six_day

[jaffa1949]

One issue for me prior to leaving Australia, there was a long, multi year long drought about 10 years, the weather systems that bring rain bring surf.
So long periods of double underhead surf, matches your swell forecast = double underhead, then whackmthe corona on top and my match fitness is pathetic.
Fortunately i have a number of enthusiasm projects and editing time so when the borders lift and other stuff in my life clears, Imwill,get to,Langenfel s wave for a photo,and video,shoot as part of my broader program! we will meet up.

The Riverwave at Ebensee is a roaring success and is already attracting a lot of surfers, it is probably the biggestband most powerful manmade river wave so far! Almost finished the video presentation.
but a strange year so far.

Cheers Jaffa Don‘t give up, once you close that door it is hard to come back!

[BoMan]

Another option is surf skating. I live inland and have a lot of fun with this when it's not possible to be in the ocean. My Carver Resin C7 is great for practicing bottom turns, cutbacks and rail-to-rail pumping. If you live near a skatepark, a gentle sloped street or even a ditch the possibilities are endless. Just make sure you begin with a helmet and pads.

Surfskate Park

Street

Ditch

[jaffa1949]

Here is th ultimate stealth surf weapon in action.
when not in action it rolls up in a bag,all you need is flippers and appropriate water temperature gear!
https://vimeo.com/137050012

These weapons go fast on just about anything unless dead flat!

I have two one for my wife and me no island or beach is out of reach, will try a river wave too!

[Oldie]

..
Fortunately i have a number of enthusiasm projects and editing time so when the borders lift and other stuff in my life clears, Imwill,get to,Langenfel s wave for a photo,and video,shoot as part of my broader program! we will meet up.

Langenfeld is very close - I hope you do know that you would be very welcome to stay with us when you go!

[IB_Surfer]

Dude, book a Mexico surf trip, you’ll be stoked riding waves in warm water daily. Really reasonable Rates for flights or hotels. I’m on the west coast US, Cabo and Punta Mita /Sayulita are my favorites. It will leave you wanting more surf when you get back