The rise of the silver surfer

Fancy surfing - the sea, not the internet - but think you’ve left it too late? Think again! There’s still time to grab a board and join the growing band of mature converts. By Paula McWaters

  Photo: Greg MartinJust one good wave, that's all it took. One minute I am someone whose most energetic moments at the beach are spent ambling along the tideline, the next I'm a surf addict, whooping for joy and shouting, ‘Again! Again!' like an over-excited five-year-old.

 

Our instructor, Rob Barber, keeps blowing his whistle and raising his hand to signal ‘only one more wave', but some of us have waited decades to do this and aren't prepared to give up easily. Selective deafness seems to have set in (maybe it's our age?) and we head back out into the sea for another go.

 

It doesn't matter that we're not teenagers or twentysomethings; we have joined the growing band of so-called ‘silver surfers', the over-45s who want a piece of the surfing action. British surf schools have seen a huge surge in interest across all ages in the past ten years, particularly among women, but it's the silver surfers who surprise them most with their dedication and enthusiasm.

 

Glad to be grey

The British Surfing Association (BSA) reckons 11 per cent of its 10,000 members are 45 and over, and this figure has been rising. ‘Older people are often fitter than some 20-year-olds we see,' remarks one BSA instructor. ‘They listen carefully and try to put into effect what we tell them. We find they develop a smoother style and better finesse as a result.'

For one incredible, fleeting moment, I am there, flying across the surf on my own two feet! I can’t wait to try againThis, of course, is music to our ears. Any doubts we had about being too old to boogie are dispelled as Rob and Brendan Moore of the Freespirit English Surfing Federation (ESF) Surf School put us through our paces on Newquay's Fistral Beach. The setting is amazing - acres of sand and surf that, today at least, are just right for novices. Given that Newquay is Britain's surfing capital, it seems a fitting place to learn, especially as it is mid-morning on a mild, non-peak season Friday and we are competing for space with only a handful of other surfers.

The silver surfing scene

Barrie Hall, the BSA's head coach, believes there are several reasons for the organisation's increasing number of older members. Improved wetsuit technology has made it possible to stay in the water longer and to surf at all times of year. ‘Also, people are getting more aspirational. They want to take up invigorating, challenging sports and they have the spare time and cash to do it,' he says. ‘A basic level of fitness is all you need, plus the ability to swim 50 metres.'

 

In competitions there are classes for Seniors (over-28s), Masters (over-35s) and Veterans or Legends (over-45s). Jed Stone, British and English Legends champion and winner of 28 national titles, is still going strong at 54, competing in the World Masters Surfing Championships in Puerto Rico in 2007 and Peru in 2008. ‘Surfing is the most aerobic sport you can do,' Jed says. ‘Every part of you is used and the more you do it, the fitter you get. Age is not the issue, it's all about confidence.'

 

Top surf schools for mature surfers

For a list of approved surf schools, see the BSA website, www.britsurf.co.uk, or call 01637 876474. Here are some particularly suited to mature students:

● The Freespirit English Surfing Federation Surf School offers lessons from £30 per person for a two-hour taster session, including insurance and equipment. See www.englishsurfschool.com or call 01637 879571 or 07974 729639 for details. Boards and wetsuits can be hired for £5 each per day.

● Surf's Up Surf School (01208 862003, www.surfsupsurfschool.com) in Polzeath, Cornwall, is run by Pete and Jane Craske, who've built up a good name for themselves through fun, progressive teaching.

● Global Boarders (0845 330 9303, www.globalboarders.com) offers a mobile service around nine beaches in Cornwall. It has a reputation for patience and great local knowledge.

● Walking on Waves (01271 890490 and 07786 034403, www.walkingonwaves.co.uk) is based at Croyde Bay and Saunton Sands, North Devon, the South West's closest surfing beaches to London, the Midlands and the north of England. 

● Saltburn Surf School (01287 625321, www.saltburnsurf.co.uk) has good beachfront facilities at Saltburn-on-Sea in Cleveland & Redcar.

● Bournemouth Surf School (0800 043 7873, www.bournemouthsurfschool.co.uk) is small and personal with a good range of courses.

● Outer Reef Surf School (01646 680070, www.outerreefsurfschool.com) at Newgale, Broadhaven, Freshwater West and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire. Women-only classes are available.

● Gower Surfing Development (01792 360370, www.surfgsd.com) at Caswell Beach and Llangennith Beach on the Gower Peninsula, South Wales. Operates a strong ‘surfing for everyone' policy.

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