I've always thought surfing would be cool as hell. I live close enough to beaches that people surf on. If I were to purchase a board any suggestions form the folks here?

not a sport for old guys dude (just sayin):D

The stand up paddle board thing is getting a lot of people out on the water and into some waves that aren't contested. They can glide into mushburgers that wouldn't be rideable for other boards.

Cheers Richard

WHAT???! Just because my vision is shot, have no balance left, & my knees are bad??? :confused: :(

take if from a guy who's had two knee replaced and a hip done 2x you're toast!! Hey you got the 911 back on the track yet?? need to do that first before you become a beach bum

Yeah I here ya Todd. But maybe I was just trying to flirt with Tweez ;)
Actually the Carrera is in the shop being repaired. Should be ready by the end of Nov. at the latest. Looking forward to driving her again for sure!

Totally agree. I've been surfing since I was a puppy and these days instead of thinking "Shall I go for a surf? yes, no, yes, no, yes, no..." I get on the stand up paddleboard and really enjoy it. Not surfing I hear you say? One day I was about 300 or 400 meters out and a big steep swell came by that I thought I'd give a go. Not really a wave, just a swell, and the board hooked into it and went like a rocket.

So maybe for you inland people with rivers and lakes, it's close to surfing. Fun relaxing and not as intense as surfing.

I think I saw a couple of guys doing that at Misquamicut Beach is summer. At the time wasn't sure what the heck they were doing but sounds like what you guys are describing. Maybe a way to go for an old guy.

Old guys should surf - or do something in the water. That said I fried my shoulder after two consecutive days of boogie boarding a few weeks back. The second day I was doing a lot of one armed paddling (left hand on the front of the board, right arm paddling) and worked too hard for too long. But some chiro and a shot from my ortho settled the rotator cuff down.

You could also use some wind on the water - this was yesterday's class:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0...4/DSC01409.JPG

Turns out you can race these things. Uh oh...

Whoohoo, lookin good Todd. AND a nice day too.

Yesterday there were some guys out in some swells sailing Lasers? and they seemed to be having fun without the boats broaching (I think that's the term for getting cleaned up at the bottom of the swell).

We're getting a bit OT here, (maybe Tweez will spank us :D ), but yeah I think I could handle a board. As far as sailing goes I learned on a Dyer Dingy which I have described in the past as a bath tub with a sheet. Have fun Todd with the classes.

The Quik Pro Finals: The Inevitable
 

The Quik Pro Finals: The Inevitable

http://surfinglife.com.au/images/sto.../john_john.jpg
John John Florence battling through the semi-finals. Photo: ASP

http://surfinglife.com.au/images/sto...pro/slater.jpg
The King. Photo: ASP

Jim, Thanks for those photos and that story. MR has always been one of my very favs. I'm sure you saw the movie "Free Ride" by Jim Delaney. And "Bustin' Down The Door" - both featuring lots of MR in that epic time period when the Aussies were bustin' down the door....

I have an Aussie friend who lives very near Newcastle and knows MR. He's as nice a bloke as he is an avid surfer - but you already know that.

Thank you again for sharing - that's a VERY special board you have there... :)

MR info for those who don't already know... MR owned a sliver 911SC, a 1978. Yes!




Small brag here, hehe, I bought one of his boards back in about 1979.

Hey, Mr. Todd, speak for yourself. ;) I think he should try it. My surf instructor friend said he had an older guy take lessons (he guesstimated 60 or early 70's) The dude always wanted to surf so he took a lesson now that he had the time after retiring. My friend said he got up a couple times on the board and had a long ride. As long as you don't have the expectation you are going to shred it out there, I say go for it! Even me, I cruise. I don't plan to get awesomely good or anything. Just stoked that I am out there. And if he can't seem to catch a lot waves, yes, I have heard paddle surfing is good. :)

I wish my backside looked like that! ;) although I have to say I got back for an Asian girl. Just sayin. :)

Really need to get to the ocean. I need a head check. Daily grind getting to me and being out in the ocean or mountains brings me back to neutral. Trying to think of a way to escape...

Tweez, you can escape. Escape for a few hours on a river or lake on a standup paddle board without having to leave town :) Good for the mind, body, soul, and stomach muscles.

Water is still warm here in the 760(Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas, Carlsbad)...the 619; not so much (Imperial Beach, Coronado, cliffs and OB/PB).

Get in the water. Stand up paddle might be cool, haven't tried it yet. A longboard that floats you or even a sponge(boogie board) just to get wet. Sliding down the face of a wave is primal a simple way to flow with nature that has simple & beautiful rewards. Don't wait for your next life, get in the water now.