who here has been surfing this week?

You know man, i liked you up until this point haha.

I said it before here i think. The 5mil never bothered me. Sure its more restricting and a 3/2 is way better. But never ws an issue for me. This winter that all changed. Iv felt sluggish since day one in the 5mil. I never bare back it, 3/2 all summer. But maybe once I'm in the 3/2 I'll feel young again. Maybe it'll even make my grey hair turn black again.

Seriously though. You old guys will say "you have no idea". And I'm sure i don't. But I'm starting to get the tiniest of understanding what you guys mean when you say getting old sucks. I'm too young for this crap. Luckily its mostly cosmetic. Maybe I'll look handsome with some salt and pepper

 

I'm watching guys on both ends of 60 that I've surfed with over the last 5 years surfing less and less as they get older. "It's too cold". "That looks like a lot of work". "I ain't feeling it". Totally sucks that I recognize it's happening to me too.

But if it's perfect, I'm totally out there for sure

 

I had the opposite experience when I was in CR a few weeks ago - the water was too damn warm and coupled with the amount of work it took to get out in the heavier surf, I was just gassed. To be honest though that's on me as I just didn't get in good enough shape prior to the trip but it's still a shock to deal with water that warm...

 

It took me 18 months to get back to Indo. It never disappoints.


Jack from Perth. South of Nias

 

Hoping to get out tomorrow for a surf, while enjoying the beautiful and warm day.

Are you all in your 4/3 yet in Jersey/Mid-Atlantic? Fuck it, I'm going with the 4/3 tomorrow, especially with air temps in the low 80's.

 

I know the feeling. If I do retire (I'm 47 now and I'm more than fine with working my current job until I'm in my 70's, especially with the months of down time that I get), all the rubber and big suites are the reason that I can't do it in Jersey. I really hate just putting it on. It's time consuming to take put it on and take it off. Because of work, I don't get to surf much when it's really cold, like in the dead of winter. When I get off work for a few months, it's late Spring and Summer and the surf usually sucks.

If I ever do retire, I plan on surfing to be a big part of it and I just don't wanna be putting on all that rubber in December-March. A 3/2 is fine, 4/3 is doable, but the robo cop suites are too much of a pain in the ass to put on and off every day. So a warmer climate will be in order.

Not to mention, when you get older, the cold just kills you. It wasn't that bad in my 30's, but into my 40's and now approaching 50, it's just not comfortable.

 

Wah, wah wah!! "I hate my 5ml" wah, wah wah!! Im too old..wah wah wah!!

For us 5 ml is the last before we are in 6ml suits, so no sympathy. Around here you need 6mls during winter; 5ml doesn't cut it. Both of them make you a better surfer for summer (when there is no surf!!) but we sit around waiting for 6" waves to show up--then we grab our semi guns and show the world how cool we are!!!

 

Just gotta keep chargin'!
This past winter, my time in the water was much less than previous winters due to family and "life happens" responsibilities.

But I found that the less I went out during the winter, my desire to do so decreased. Just didn't want the struggle with the wetsuit/gear in a cold wind for a short sesh, trying to squeeze in the time somewhere,...whatever.

Was this "old age" (62) and being more out of condition, not enough sleep, caregiver stress, possible thyroid problem, low "T"/lost mojo,...all of the above? (Laugh it up now young guys, your turn will come.)

For me, it helps to keep going from the fall into the winter. I seem to gradually "acclimatize" as the water and air cools. Keep that momentum going and stay in surfing condition. The gym, running, and even lap swimming helps some - or at least reduces the rate of "decrepitude" - but they're not the same.

My 5/3 suit did seem heavier this winter, no doubt due to the above reason(s). At times I felt like a slug or a fat seal lying on a dock. But without that suit, gloves, boots and hood, there would be no water time during the late fall-winter-early spring, and no great feeling of freedom when you start shedding that rubber!

 

Wetsuits don't bother me at all.

Duck diving and taking repetitive sets on the head is what takes all the gas outta me.

 

Agree, rubber I can deal with. Ice cream headaches after repeatedly diving under grinds my gears.

 

I can relate to what DosXX is saying. Got out yesterday for only the third time this year (once in March, once in April). A lot of "stuff" (work/life issues, etc.) kept me out of the water, and it is hard to keep in "surf shape" w/o surfing, especially when your sun orbit total is several years over 50. The best solution (as mentioned by Dos) is to "keep chargin'" on the reg, so that you stay in shape and maintain your edge. Otherwise, those cold days in Feb/March with water below 40 do not look so inviting, especially if it is a sizable swell knowing that if you are not in top condition and you will get worked (gotta pay to play). But sometimes other responsibilities take priority and things don't "line up" for surfing.. it's a fickle thing chasing waves.

Anyways, glad to get wet yesterday, even though the wind was not ideal, catch some choppy thigh/waist liners, and slowly work my way back in condition. It was sunny, mid 50 degrees, and water around mid-40s. Yes I'm a little sore, but at least I know what I need to do (motivated) and hopefully more ops in the water plus other activities (carver/bike -- now that the weather is cooperating), will get this sack of timbers where it needs to be.

 

Time takes it's toll... everyone pays, sooner or later. Everyone.

 

Last Friday I rolled in to Wilmington for work and play. I caught some weak waist high waves on a friends 9' LB that was actually pretty fun. The highlight was wearing the 3/2 with no boots and gloves...and no stinking 4/3! I hear what you guys are saying but I can't stand wetsuites. 3/2 is cool...especially this new Billabong suite. I can't really imagine a 6mm...

Got out on the water a couple of days, catching some Bonitos and Blues. Good fun.

 

Time?? For me, that and kryptonite!!!

 

I'm 55 and can still touch my toes. I'm good.

 

I can still see my pecker if I look down. Also good.

 

For a dude that spent some time in the clink that may not be a good thing...

 

6 mil?!?
"Ussssa, Ussssa, Ussssa Bitchhhhh" - K. Lamar

 

I've been in a 4/3 in Jersey for a month at this point. Water is above 50. You'll be fine. With the air temps in the 80's you could probably survive wearing a 3/2.

 

I was out on Sunday and I don't think I could have taken a 4/3, but the air temps were pretty chilly that day. Now today I did the 4/3 and felt too hot, due to the 90 degree air temp here. I probably could have used a 3/2.

I did get to go out today. Drove all around looking for something decent and it sucked. So I picked a spot that had something going and surfed for 2.5 hours. Just my best friend and myself, and a couple other people at separate times. There was never more than 2 other guys out there at once, not including the two of us.

This is what I call a conditioning surf. Just worked on standing up a bit, paddling, getting back into surfing shape, as I haven't been out much since I went to Rincon in January. Surfed in California a few times back in March when I was out there on business and two times in the last 4 days here. The size was really nothing worth talking about. Knee high sets occasionally. Mostly ankle high. Actually, it was mostly toe high haha.