Old Guys Rule

[goofy footer]

Its just 2 funny, how some in their early/mid 40's could even dream of of being "old guys", you're not even close yet Don't rush it

I'll have to say, being "old guy" does have it pleasures (sometimes) like 3 consecutive days last week, good swell, the old guys and gals who are retired or semi-retired sharing favorite break, taking turns and props adding more stoke to the session. We might sport gray hair but still plenty of Sunshine on our Rainbow yet all of us have to work at it to stay on top of the wax.

This "Old Guy" rules; surfed with this guy many times, noticed he chats with beginners some might consider "kooks" but don't act "kooky". He has a gifted style offering advise to those who really appreciate him taking a interest without embarrassing them in the line-up. He not only successful sharing, @ 68 years old, he can carve his short board as well as any 1/2 his age. If Old Guys do rule, he certainly has earned it among his peers as observing others shaking his hand and chatting as they walk by him while he's watching the lineup from the sand.

[GoodVibes]

[QUOTE=goofy footer;106772]Its just 2 funny, how some in their early/mid 40's could even dream of of being "old guys", you're not even close yet

Don't get me wrong at 41,Im still pretty young but when your in the lineup alongside a 19 year old your probably pretty old.

[whosthat]

I'm 41 now........my knees are in their 60's,.........my ankles are in their 50's,......etc, depends on the bodypart. Thank the Lord some parts are still in their 20's.........
I remember being mid twenties in HI and being in awe of the "older" guys....
I just hope to surf for as long as I live.....now outta my way punk!....lol...jk

[Recycled Surfer]

I'm 41 now........my knees are in their 60's,.........my ankles are in their 50's,......etc, depends on the bodypart. Thank the Lord some parts are still in their 20's.........
I remember being mid twenties in HI and being in awe of the "older" guys....
I just hope to surf for as long as I live.....now outta my way punk!....lol...jk

I hear that. After a lifetime of hockey, skiing (mainly moguls), surfing, & off roading anything with wheels I feel like I'm a hundred on cold damp days. It dosent matter how old you are as much as how bad your parts are busted up. I know guys who are surfing in their 60's and still kicking a$$.

[MDSurfer]

So last year I'm surfing the inlet with Travis and Frankie (youngsters) and about 20 of my closest friends (who I don't know from Adam) and Travis says to me, "So why do so many people drop in on you?" To which I respond, "Well, they see a gray haired old guy on a longer board and they figure that's a green-light." He asked me this right after I had to help one interloper out of the wave a la Dora. 60+ - stay in the water if they want to take it to the beach. . . that way you'll get the waves they missed while their machismo gets in the way. Oh, and let Tilly and George Smith have any wave they want, because they'll take it anyway. :-) Ask Dana.

[spongedude]

48 now and my 14 yr old kicks my ass, but i was never that athletic. i will always be slightly crappier than average, but i have a good time. more than that, i love seeing him do everything i wanted to do better than me. until yer old(er) and have kids, you may not understand that feeling, but it is an added bonus to paddling out 2-3 times a week. what i have gained over the eons is patience and experience i can share with him to make his sessions better and more productive.

[LBCrew]

The last good swell we had... a hurricane or two ago... there was a guy in the water at my local that I had first met when I first moved into the area. Don't know his name, but we recognize each other and always give the nod when run into each other. He's from Peru, and lives somewhere nearby. Anyway... I hadn't seen him in a long time, several years. So a couple of his bros and him are surfing on this great, sunny, pumping day at my local, and after an hour or two finally he paddles up to me and says, in his strong Peruvian accent, "I remember when I first met you... it's been like 20 years! ... so, how old are you now?"

I go, "47... you?"

He says, "45. Man, you're 47? You're still good, brah. You still rip. Keep surfing."

I'm like, "you too, man."

Funny, that "keep surfing" comment. It's just understood that we'll all just, "keep surfing"... that we don't see ourselves as one day choosing to hang it up, and saying, "yea... I used to surf." Whether surfing keeps your spirit young, or a young spirit keeps you surfing, I don't know. But surfing is, to all of us who are deeply and truly surfers at heart, surfing is for life. We couldn't quit if we tried. The aches and pains might slow us down over time, but we'll never choose to give it all up. I can't imagine ever saying to myself that I've ridden my last wave.

[GoodVibes]

I'm 41 now........my knees are in their 60's,.........my ankles are in their 50's,......etc, depends on the bodypart. Thank the Lord some parts are still in their 20's.........
I remember being mid twenties in HI and being in awe of the "older" guys....
I just hope to surf for as long as I live.....now outta my way punk!....lol...jk

How about the hips,This past year my hips have been bothering me for the first time.Im thinking because of the long sessions just sitting.

[Alvin]

I'm 51 going on 30 something. My surfing continues to improve though I'm not as much into the monster waves as 10 yrs ago. Rather rip the wave apart and go for length and fun turns of all types pending the wall. Love off the lip, roundhouses, cutbacks, tucking into a tube, building speed down the line. I ride everything so my quiver gets worked but my main board is the fish.
I started at 30 when I met a 75 yr old surfing Assateague with a longboard and a funny hat. "Fountain of Youth! Gotta learn this." I'm originallly from Kansas but now cant imagine ever being away from the water. Its a life force and keeps us young but it also means alot of yoga, good nutrition and eternal happiness! Ha Ha!
My home break, Chinco, has surfers of all ages and abilities. We're a family and its wonderful. I have a date with my daughter to go surfing on my 80th birthday even if it means strapping me onto the board. Good motivation to stay in shape. Shes 14 and goes for the big ones. We all rule at different times!

[Uncle Irish]

At 42, I think I get more stoke out of a session now than I ever did in my 20s. I guess I just don't take it for granted anymore. Even more so this summer now that my daughters have taken to the water and have caught the surfing bug.