Are you there older, middle-aged dudes, it me Margaret. Are you guys getting bored

i don't remember flat spells lasting as long as ones in the past few years. what is wrong with CENTRAL nj?

 

Move or travel!

 

you have to refind your stoke, i was lost but I am back!

 

yesterday was as good as anywhere in the world right here

 

I am actually having MORE fun the older I get ... just feel lucky I'm not of my old buds that have gotten fat,jaded and quit surfing beceause they're "too busy" ... Yeah, I get cold easier now,but I have a better suit so I'm all good. I can afford good boards and even the occasional surf trip. Could be worse.

 

You need a trip. An East Coast trip. Some New England, maybe Long Beach, some Jerz. OCMD, into OBX, SC into South Florida. All as one trip! Go from the 5mil to boardies in a week.

Once you get to Jupiter go to Dune Dog for some brewski's on Rib Night and do a 180.

One catch, you have to bring a buddy who is way more stoked than you.

Rekindle your fire bud. Come on back the water's fine!

 

uhmm, i feel your pain dude. its been a flat year.

if your down on surfing, id say the last thing that will help you (and us) is to post to others about how your down on surfing.

go skate or watch surf videos, surfing is what you make it good sir.

hope you get out of your funk, good luck

 

Brother... you're still in your 30s, and you're COMPLAINING!?!??? Sounds like you've got deeper problems than your surfing life. Sounds like you're not at peace with yourself... searching for something that's long gone. You gotta just take it for what it is. Surfing is not a perfect world. It's full of disappointment, frustration, missed opportunities, reneged commitments, compromises, expenses, injuries, sacrifices... But there's those moments of pure bliss that can't be replaced with anything else, and you ain't gonna get them sitting on the couch. You gotta keep at it. The more you do it, the more you want it. Get away from it, and the easier it gets to NOT go out. You gotta keep up your momentum, and remember that it's not the be all end all of your life's purpose. When it comes right down to it, its only recreation. Take it for what it's worth... the sunset, the birds, the way the light moves on the surface of the water, the power and energy of the surging ocean, the seals, the view of the beachfront from the water... a view that only surfers really ever get to see...

I got a new bird dog pup in August. I hunted him all season this fall and didn't get a single shot at a bird. In fact, I didn't even SEE a bird. But I hunted every opportunity I had... up before first light, walking for miles in the cold, frustrated and tired, going home with nothing, every day. But when the morning sun makes every stalk of frosty Timothy glisten like diamonds, and the smell of pitch pine and scrub oak fills your head with every breath... you know the real reason why you're there...

 

Kind of reminds me of striper fishing,You can go out there over and over again and get skunked but its that 1 fish that makes you keep coming back.

 

I am embarressed to say I took a 12yr break from surfing with any regularity. I had a number of reasons: work,hang overs,marriage, kids, DIY home projects---all lame. I caught the bug again this past spring and get out at least 1-2x week. Life is busier then ever but surfing actually makes me feel younger, back in tune with nature and gives me more appreciation for everything else. The only problem is ... can't get enough! I would give anything to get back those 12 years of surfing opportunity. Never take anything for granted.

 

54 & still chugging, all be it at a much slower pace. Don't do the really big stuff anymore, but thats OK. 3-4 or so, I just enjoy being out there, doing what I can & enjoying the water & hopefully the people. I love talking to anyone that will chew the fat, all things surfing or other. I started surfing in late 60's & have never lost my love of the sport. I think because its so much more than just a sport. It cures me of anything that ailing me at the time & if the waves are good its just a bonus.

 

It happens, especially I think due to the fact that NY/NJ/Northeast is so wave barren and cold compared to places like socal/santa cruz/ etc. Just try to keep the stoke up anyway you can ...get a new board, try a new break, change up your scenery, go skiing/snowboarding/skating to make yourself miss surfing! Others are right, you gotta be at peace with yourself or find peace with yourself when you go for a surf however.

 

if it isn't doin' it for ya, find something else that will. If it DID at one point, you're a passionate person and need a suitable outlet.

 

I have to agree on living in NJ..it's a love hate thing.

 

Dude...I hate it for ya. Older and colder just makes it a little tougher. During the cold spells, take your stoke and put it into something else that makes you feel good about yourself. Start a workout plan (something daily like P90X) that helps you to make a change in you. It helps you feel good about who you are. Removes the outside world from interfering with your life and importantly is something you have total control over. I can tell you honestly you will feel accomplished daily, weekly and most importantly at the end of the 90 days you will be proud of yourself just for making the commitment to you. By then, the water will be warmer, the days longer, your strength and stamina, flexibility and balance on point. Then...paddle out with the teens and 20 somethings and laugh out loud. Importantly, HAVE FUN! Your stoke will be back. We all go through similar times in our lives. Peace.

 

I've been there where you are right now. I'm not from New Jersey but moving from Hawaii back to the east coast was really depressing and I rarely went out last winter. I never even drove to the Outer Banks. Last spring I checked the surf report one evening and it was calling for a mediocre swell. I went and surfed that morning. The sun was rising behind the clouds giving off an eerie pink light and there was nobody out and nowone on the beach. It was glassed off and about chest high and the water was warm and unusually clear for here. I'm not a writer so I'll stop there. But when I got out of the water and walked back to my car I felt like a kid again. That did it for me and now I surf every swell trying to get that session back. It only takes one magical morning and wave to make you remember why you surf.

 

I think I get it. Pushin' 40 myself. Tired more often (got a kid or kids? then you know). Colder quicker, even with better suits than back in the day. Less performance with more pain (knees, back, old rib injury). More sessions end with me still chasin' it. I moved outta Jerz to NC a few years ago. It helped me out but it's got me looking West. Better waves/weather, more groundswell, less wind, longer rides. Despite all this, I do still get stoked like a kid from time to time. Maybe take a break for a while and reevaluate with perspective.

 

Well said, thought "bobs" had vanish from the NJ landscape like they have in Delmarva