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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to learn to surf when I am fat and old.

35 replies

twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 16:34

Just wondering as I would like to but have a feeling I would be laughed off the beach so should leave it to dd and dp.

OP posts:
lionheart · 05/10/2008 16:40

No, surfers like to share their passion for the sea with others, I think. Go for it!!

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 16:45

Mmm not convinced. I know I would be crap which does not really bother me as it would be fun for us but I don;t want to emabaress dd with my bulk.

OP posts:
wehaveallbeenthere · 05/10/2008 16:47

OMG, you are only as old as you feel. Here in the states there is a commercial with boomers (the pictured ones are in their sixties..boomers as in babyboomers) talking about the generation that swore they would never get OLD didn't.
If you want to go learn to surf go do it. What the heck to anyone that laughs or just sits there in awe. You only live once and if you let others do all the fun stuff then you have no one to blame but yourself.
Go learn to surf, or bungeejump or hangglide or ski or martial arts or run a marathon!!! FGS live...you've earned it.
Just remember though (here is the sensible me talking) that you can break bones just like a teenager but you may not recover as fast so take your vitamins!

Ebberley · 05/10/2008 16:47

Being fat and old has never stopped me. Frankly, if you are over 30 years old and have kids, you are kind of invisable to other people on a beach anyway.

Get a wetsuit and get surfing. It's very liberating and the best.fun.ever.

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 16:48

It is not the age mainly , dp is older than me it is my weight. Maybe if I used this as an incentive to loose some weight.

OP posts:
Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 16:49

I am always on the beach with dd in my cossie so am not sure why this bothers me but it does.

OP posts:
wehaveallbeenthere · 05/10/2008 16:51

I've got to start the "Marathon Kids" program with my daughter. It started yesterday and I was in a class. Yes, school at my age (48 and feeling like 18) but you know what? If you don't start and at least try all the things you want to you will look back and say I didn't do a damn thing. If you DO try it and don't like it at least you can say I tried that once blah, blah, blah and hold your own at conversation.

DoubleBluff · 05/10/2008 16:52

I would love to try!

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 16:53

You are right, I am assuming we will need someone to teach us, will start looking on ebay for some gear and online for some classes.

OP posts:
wehaveallbeenthere · 05/10/2008 16:54

twins, if your DP or DS was drowning would you let your weight stop you from trying to save them? Of course not. Go do what you want to. If your weight is an issue it won't be when you go out and do surfing...or anything else for that matter. You will be having way too much fun to notice but it will start to reduce and before you know it you won't feel like hiding.

AbbeyA · 05/10/2008 16:57

It is fantastic. I was well over 40yrs-go for it! I was in Cornwall one October half term and watchingthe surfers ar Newquay. We walked down to Fistral Beach and there was a notice; you could hire body boards and wet suits by the hour. My DS asked if we could do it and I, in a moment of madness,said perhaps later in the week. Later in the week we were back. As I was getting changed into a damp, sandy, wetsuit in a a portacabin with the wind whistling outside I had serious second thoughts! However I had promised the DCs, so had to carry on. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. If you caught the wave just right it was fantastic-as good as skiing. Everyone was on the beach with coats, scarves etc. I have tried a proper surf board since but nothing quite matches up to the first go on a body board on that grey October day!

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 16:58

No if course it would wehaveallbeenthere and i am always swimmning in the sea with dd, not sure why surfing bother me, I suppose it is something I associate with young fit people.

As for saving dp as we are in the process deciding whether to split or stay togther I don;t know if I would jump in for him

OP posts:
AbbeyA · 05/10/2008 16:58

It is fantastic. I was well over 40yrs-go for it! I was in Cornwall one October half term and watchingthe surfers ar Newquay. We walked down to Fistral Beach and there was a notice; you could hire body boards and wet suits by the hour. My DS asked if we could do it and I, in a moment of madness,said perhaps later in the week. Later in the week we were back. As I was getting changed into a damp, sandy, wetsuit in a a portacabin with the wind whistling outside I had serious second thoughts! However I had promised the DCs, so had to carry on. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. If you caught the wave just right it was fantastic-as good as skiing. Everyone was on the beach with coats, scarves etc. I have tried a proper surf board since but nothing quite matches up to the first go on a body board on that grey October day!

wehaveallbeenthere · 05/10/2008 16:58

Here in the states there are rentals, and you just sit on the board in the lower waves until you can try to stand anyway.
Upfront, the chance of becoming one of these that jet off to Hawaii or Japan or wherever to compete is highly unlikely but it is that way with anything. I surfed. Rent a board, go out and try in the little waves...you paddle out, sit and get the feel then try to stand and ride it in.
Make sure though that you watch the signs for jellies, or ripcurrents. I expect to hear about this later too.

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 16:59

DD and I are also always out on our body boards but that is in the summer and rather half hearted!

OP posts:
Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 17:00

Sorry of course it wouldn't I should say.

OP posts:
overthemill · 05/10/2008 17:00

tescos clubcards deals let you buy classes at a school in newlyn - we are thinking about it

the dcs had a lessoon in france this year and loved it and now i want to try too.

found a good school in france and they do 1-1 as well as bigger groups
go for it!

AbbeyA · 05/10/2008 17:00

Sorry I meant to post again and pressed the wrong bit!
We were surfing this summer in Cornwall. There were all ages and all shapes and sizes.

BigBadMousey · 05/10/2008 17:02

Surfers of all shapes, sizes, ages and ability at the beach last weekend as there always is when the surf is good. Why not come down to Cornwall for a weekend and have some lessons - you can hire all you need here. This time of year is great, the sea doesn't feel too cold (because the air temp is about the same as the sea temp) and it's not too crowded at all - it's not far from you either IIRC (I used to live just up the road from where you are now ).

Original poster
twinsetandpearls · 05/10/2008 17:02

Where is newlyn - we are in Dorset?

OP posts:
AbbeyA · 05/10/2008 17:03

Newlyn is Cornwall

BigBadMousey · 05/10/2008 17:03

X post with AbbeyA

BigBadMousey · 05/10/2008 17:05

Bude is closer twinset

overthemill · 05/10/2008 17:05

actually it is HARLYN whoops!!

wehaveallbeenthere · 05/10/2008 17:05

twins, I hope (if you do) that you don't split from your DH. If you do though please don't let it be an issue with your joys in life. That is something a lot of people don't understand. You have to live and be happy for you...no one else. You cannot grow in someone else's shadow.
I wanted to try scuba but have asthma and the instructor said it was a no go because of retaining the air when surfacing. I had to settle for snorkeling.
Surfing is great fun and since you have done the bodyboard you will probably be a natural at it.