what level are you?

Good point. I dread the day that I can't surf a SB. Although some of the shapes we have discussed here in the past give me hope....

 

ill pretty much return to the sponge at that point. have no desire to just glide....

 

For those of you who took up surfing late I give you props. I started my surf addiction at 16. By 18 and for the next ten years or so I could hold my own at any break I paddled out at. Peak physical shape and zero fear.I never had the opportunity to surf anything over 10' to 12' and spent most of my sessions in 2' to 5' surf. I would say I was advanced in that time period and almost, almost expert at times for the breaks I surfed. Now 33 years later, with a beat up body, I'm still decent for an old fart but I know I don't shred. Some days it hurts the ego a little when I think of what I used to be capable of. Still get stoked and have fun 99% of the time. I agree with Pump if you're over 50 and still rock a SB you should get extra points!

 

Advanced kook

 

Lol! That's how I felt the first time out in full suit(e) and booties this year.

 

With all due respect, my darling CEP, but this is a lil confusing.

First of all this topic is moot anyway.

But an expert is more than someone who can catch a wave and just ride down the line.

So wouldn't that make Dion Agius an expert and not advanced?

I don't like Dion Agius's fashion sense. Was he one of them Xanax award-show kids?

Man, these new generations of pros are sooooooooooo boring. No characters.

Man, give me Damien Hardman drinking his way through the world's airports and reclusive weirdos like Tom Curren any day.

 

I've gotten out of shape due to hamstring injury this fall so I'm definitely not on my A game right now. If I can get out a couple times a week I'll get it back soon. It takes a little longer to heal these days though. One of the best surfers at my break is older than me and he just kills it.

 

There's crap out of the water that'll eatcher azz up. Plus tons of Terciopelos (fer du lance).

 

Sharks don't bother me cause I have the mermaids on my side. Salt water crocs and poisonous snakes, that is another story, and lightning really scares me due to my sinful past.

 

So there are a few self proclaimed experts on this site, and I vote for Mitchell just from the photos he sends. In martial arts, when you get a black belt, the sensei says, "Now you are an expert!" Then he says after a long pause, with a upraised eyebrow, "and now you know the basics".

Who da master? Sho Nuff!

 

Most of the time after 5 it's a BAC between 1.0 & 1.5.

 

I'm almost 46. This summer will mark 34 years since the first time I surfed. I'm on the down side now. Still out there shortboarding every chance I get but father time is beginning to catch up. These days what level I surf at has more to do with how my shoulders and knees feel than my skill level or experience.