It amazes me how many mature women have considered the sport of surfing, but think it’s strictly for the young. As one who started surfing at age 44, I believe it’s never too late. And once you start there’s no reason to stop.
Thirteen years of teaching women to surf has taught me some things. Foremost, surfer girls come in all shapes, sizes, and from all walks of life. At Las Olas, we’ve seen the mother who came to surf camp just to hang out with her daughters keeping up with the young athletes in the lineup. I can never guess who’ll get the bug.
Based on my own experience, I’ve collected some popular myths about surfing and want to set the record straight…
Myth Number One: Upper body strength is essential.
Not so. While upper body strength is important for paddling and popping up, it’s not as important as what I consider holistic fitness. This is a balance of strength, flexibility, and a mental openness to having fun.
Myth Number Two: You must be a good swimmer.
Of course the ability to swim is essential, but does a surfer have to be a triathlete swimmer? The answer is no. More important is a knowledge of wave action and currents. A calm head will get you to the surface, back on your board, and out of the whitewater. No amount of physical strength will substitute awareness and a bit of experience.
Myth Number Three: You have to be good at sports to surf.
The more physical activities you do, the better, but being athletic isn’t a necessity for surfing. Sports have been a large part of my life, from bicycling to skiing to snowboarding and now surfing. Every activity helped, but surfing is unique. There’s a line “Only a surfer knows.” I think that’s true. Just try and explain the stoke to someone who hasn’t done it. So stay active, but don’t worry if you’re not an accomplished athlete.
How does a surf camp get to be called “The World’s Premier Surf Safari for Women”? You have to start a long time ago… Las Olas was founded in 1997 by Bev Sanders, who has dedicated over 25 years to board sports. Their all-female crew of world class instructors offers women the chance to learn surfing in a no pressure, non-judgemental, warm water environment. Visit SurfLasOlas.com more information »
So now that you know surfing is accessible to everyone, you’ve decided to go surfing and want to prep, right? Here are some ideas for getting in shape that don’t include endless reps of push ups…
Dancing Queen
I like to dance because there’s something about music that makes me forget I’m actually exercising. Lately, I’ve been enjoying Zumba classes based on Latin rhythms, but I’ll start dancing just about whenever I hear music. I just love it. Dancing is a great way to tone arms, legs, and torso. It’s also a low impact way to increase cardio and is great for coordination. Shifting weight from foot to foot reminds me of how a skilled longboarder will cross step to the nose of her board. Dancing also helps develop flexibility, balance, and grace. And lastly, dancing is really fun. So, dance like no one is watching, whenever you feel like it.
Namaste
Flexibility rates very high for me when preparing for the surf. For good reason, yoga is practiced every morning at Las Olas. Yoga is also great for building core strength, a key to overall physical stamina. It helps surfers relax, breathe, and best of all, develop patience for themselves and others. Learning to go with the flow, rather than against it, is a key ingredient to enjoying the waves. Free your mind and your body will follow. Free your mind and you can surf.
Ditch the Car
Practice conscious transportation. A few years back, I gave up my car, so I walk everywhere I can. Luckily, living in a small town makes it easy. Walking has made a difference in my overall fitness. I meet new friends, reduce stress, and enjoy the neighborhood. Biking is also a great way to travel, and the freewheeling fun on my bicycle reminds me of being a kid.
Sister System
Friends will inspire you. There’s a group of women where I live who get together every Tuesday morning for a hike, kayak, or bike ride. They set aside the hours and go without fail. Having a buddy to exercise with regularly will motivate you.
Think Young, Be Young
We make girls out of women. This is a concept at the foundation of Las Olas and it can apply to many things in life. Loosen up, smile often, laugh even more. I really enjoy tumbling around in the surf. It reminds me of when I was ten years old. I’ll admit, I’ve paddled out, sat for hours and didn’t catch a wave, but something about surfing is so fresh and youthful that I wasn’t even frustrated. Again, that’s still the girl in me.
See you in the line up!
BEV SANDERS founded Las Olas Surf Safaris at the age of 44 after spending 18 years in the snowboard industry, where she was recognized as the Pioneer Woman of Snowboarding by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine and received the Tranny Award, snowboarding's Oscar. Bev's focus shifted when she took a surfing lesson while on vacation in Maui. Having made a lifelong commitment of helping women reach their full potential in snowboarding, Bev continued her mission and launched Las Olas at a time when surfing was a male-dominated sport. For more information, visit SurfLasOlas.com.
Just the kind of story that warms my heart. When I have the cash, I will be paying a visit to Las Olas, unless I can win one of their contests! Can’t wait!
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Aloha Bev,
Wow, this is a wonderful opportunity you offer. I surfed today an unusual south swell has arrived and it was shoulder high and nice. You are truly on target with your knowledge and that one does not have to be an accomplished athlete to enjoy what the water and surfing brings out in oneself. Surfing with friends is definitely the best, and if you happen to be in a beautiful surrounding such as yours, with the support and encouragement, anything is possible.
If ever on Maui, I’m on the N. Shore! Warm regards and thanks for sharing,Suzie
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Hey, thanks for the good words. I love watching surfers and think some day. Up till now I have thought I had to be younger…in better shape….swim better. I probably do need to swim better but at least now I know its possible. I am a figure skater but surfing always looked like a young woman’s game.
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Just back from a week-long surfing safari with Las Olas, which was a fantastic experience. I was a first-time surfer and not particularly in shape, but wanted to learn something new. Bev is absolutely right – anyone can do it. Our group included women from 30 to 57 with varying levels of athletic prowess, all of whom got out there and tumbled about happily in the waves (most even managed to stand up and catch a few!). Boards are buoyant, so you have a huge flotation device leashed to you, and you can get over, under or through anything with your board – there’s really nothing to fear.
One thing Bev didn’t mention that’s worth pointing out is the value of having women teach other women to surf. I can’t imagine a more supportive, lighthearted, wonderful crew from whom to learn (including both the instructors and the other guests). Surfing provided a great metaphor for overcoming obstacles (you might get a bit of water in the face, but you can make it through anything, and when you’re exhausted, you can just come in to shore and try it again tomorrow). What an amazing offering Bev and team have created! I highly recommend it.
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Does anyone know when the Las Olas summer session in Todos Santos/Baja will be? I’ve been watching the site, & it just reads 2010 dates coming soon.
My boyfriend wants to fly down & join me in Los Cabos once the safari is over, & we both need to put in vacation dates with our jobs.
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Thanks to everyone for your very positive comments.
Meghan, please contact our office at info@surflasolas.com for specifics about 2010 dates. We will keep you posted on our upcoming schedule.
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After 4 years of dreaming, I’ve booked my trip, paid for it, and bought my ticket. Zumba, yoga, working out with joy and vision. Aloha! Here I come!
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Spending all of my summers at the Jersey shore since the age of 3 months I’ve always loved the water and the ocean. I started surfing at the ripe young age of 42 and was only sorry that I hadn’t started as a child. I have my custom made mini longboard with a gorgeous C. Lassen dolphin screen print on in. It’s a very personal, empowering thing, surfing. I’ve never felt more in touch with nature than when I”m suring (and riding my motorcycle which I also started at the age of 52!) Proof, it’s never to late to discover and learn new things. Let your heart soar!!
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I started trying to surf at 50 and now I’m 55 and out there whenever I get to the ocean–a week at Christmas and in the summer. It’s not easy. Yoga is key, but I do think you need some upper body strength. I learned at a regular men’s surf camp from young guys who had no idea what it was like to learn to surf at my age. Girls didn’t do sports where I grew up, so I’ve learned a lot about myself and overcoming fear from the waves. I love it when there are other middle-aged women out there in the line-up, so come on out!
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I too took up surfing at age 44 after my 28-year old manny (male nanny) encouraged me to get out there. I took up yoga shortly thereafter and it has made a huge difference in my ability to get up on the board. Both yoga and surfing give me an inner peace like nothing else. And I wholeheartedly agree that it helps to have a woman instructor at some point. My first few lessons were with male instructors who, while helpful, didn’t understand how my hips swiveled differently, etc. Just a few tricks from the lady instructors made a big difference. Get out in those waves and have fun!
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Looks like the Baja Sur safari isn’t happening this year. Went to the “Rates & Dates,” then “Las Olas Summer,” clicked on that & it took me back to the home page.
Sorry to hear about that. Looks like Plan B then!
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You go, girls! As a 40-something dude with the surf bug, I hope my daughter (11) will be joining y’all soon…
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Great article! I love seeing the positive coverage and Las Olas Surf Camp is one of the funnest and coolest things I’ve ever done. It’s super cool to think I’ve known you through snow and surf.
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I have enjoyed reading all of the comments. Each bringing a smile to my face. As a 45 yr. old woman, I too have felt that surfing was only for the young. Even though I have surfed before and loved it I don’t get on the water that much. I do practice yoga and can see where the two can go hand in hand. I look forward to the day when I can join the surfari and take my place in the line-up.
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Dear Bev,
Thanks for the words of encouragement to all us who dare to try something new. Personally, I was really hoping to find out sooner than later what it feels like to ride a wave (as one of the top 10 finalists of your inspiring women contest). Nonetheless, I still have it on the bucket list and maybe one day between all my volunteer work in supporting others I will find a way to make to Las Olas. I read a piece of your website every day in anticipation and I imagined what it would be like to be there floating on the blue-green warm waters. As some one who is also 44 and grew up with a fear of water and now knows how to swim after taking adult swimming lessons when I was 40, your dispelling the myths is very encouraging. I continue to rebuild my mind in confidence and body in strength after being a coach potato most of my life and then overcoming cancer every year even though I grow ‘older.’ I anticipate it will be a HUGE sense of accomplishment when I learn how to sense the ocean and guide the board among the spray. As someone who works with women every day (as an Integrative Health Coach and Trainer) around body issues, strengthening all the selves and creating a healthier lifestyle I understand how important words of encouragement are to all of us. Thank you for being a groundbreaker in the realm of strengthening women inside and out. Respectfully, LL (as the gals, I work with, from the ‘hood’ call me)
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