Arthritis and health have changed surf outlook!
Going to keep Smik bonzer long board for my local break ( Arrawarra Headland ) and also for leisurely river paddles. After checking the local beach breaks - I have cancelled the short board - thanks Scott.
I will now go to a " gut slider " - old surf mate Robbo makes these and will lend to try out. Belly board maybe, or even a piapo - back to the beginning of my surfing 70 years ago. Two different surf styles to enjoy!
Smart choices,Steve,imo you got it right with the 9.9,and keeping it, I try not to comment on board choices,as I have made many mistakes myself!,the gut sliders look good and I have considered them myself,but decided against,as I have lost the ability to prone paddle,so I'm looking at getting an oversized longboard to knee paddle ,I have recently tried ridding a Matt ,and was surprised how difficult they are ,next consideration is the good old bogger board,all these options are for when it's to big to sup ,to windy or crowded,stoked you are still staying in the water ,as we age it's a priority 
Yes JAW - Surfing for me is - catching and riding a wave using its power for propulsion - doesn't really matter what you use to catch it!! Bodysurf or Foil or anything in between. Hope to keep surfing till I drop, even a push off in shallow water to crack a foamy will do as time goes by.
Select to expand quoteSlab said..
Folks I know moved to Kneeboards and an Ahi board.
Yes, will try a few craft and see what suits me for our local conditions! Will look up "Ahi" board?
Select to expand quoteSlab said..
Folks I know moved to Kneeboards and an Ahi board.
Looked it up - perfect ( for knee high but overhead barrels on this craft ) - waiting for it to arrive. Ahi or is that " ahoy " there!
What about this:
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/lidcombe/surfing/jamie-obrien-beater-pro-twin-fin-bag/1325804802
I was thinking of buying it but could be a good option for you at the moment
It has been there for a few weeks
Select to expand quotestehar said..
Arthritis and health have changed surf outlook!
Going to keep Smik bonzer long board for my local break ( Arrawarra Headland ) and also for leisurely river paddles. After checking the local beach breaks - I have cancelled the short board - thanks Scott.
I will now go to a " gut slider " - old surf mate Robbo makes these and will lend to try out. Belly board maybe, or even a piapo - back to the beginning of my surfing 70 years ago. Two different surf styles to enjoy!
By whatever means necessary. Two of my buddies have had the ages diminish the pop up ability and have reverted to knee and prone surfing. Their smiles out in the water seem to indicate that it works.
Been on an " intermittent fasting " way of life since March and gone from 92k to 77k at present. Bike riding and started at gym ( 3 times week ) for an hour. Usually about 2.30. Re ordered board - much fitter and regained enthusiasm. Getting a sup bike rack for the new 8'10" Smik - intend to continue bike riding along with surfing.
Select to expand quote
said..
Been on an " intermittent fasting " way of life since March and gone from 92k to 77k at present. Bike riding and started at gym ( 3 times week ) for an hour. Usually about 2.30. Re ordered board - much fitter and regained enthusiasm. Getting a sup bike rack for the new 8'10" Smik - intend to continue bike riding along with surfing.
Well done Steve,I do the Mosely 5/2 and had the same result,pretty quick loss of around 10 kg and have maintained it for over 7 years .with the bike riding please don't go Lycra as you might cop some SH.T when you get to the beach
Select to expand quotejustaddwater said..said..
Been on an " intermittent fasting " way of life since March and gone from 92k to 77k at present. Bike riding and started at gym ( 3 times week ) for an hour. Usually about 2.30. Re ordered board - much fitter and regained enthusiasm. Getting a sup bike rack for the new 8'10" Smik - intend to continue bike riding along with surfing.
Well done Steve,I do the Mosely 5/2 and had the same result,pretty quick loss of around 10 kg and have maintained it for over 7 years .with the bike riding please don't go Lycra as you might cop some SH.T when you get to the beach
What do they call em - mamils - middle aged men in lycra - normal shorts with wettie and towell in bikerack is the go!
I get a buzz out of a good old bodysurf too. It puts a smile on my dial;-) Don't use fins or handplanes but would be open to give them a go for sure.
There's some amazing skilled bodybashers out there.
Best ever - from 12 to 20 told, loved it - best barrels of my life - sunset at Avoca, as the lip folded down next you and the sun shone thru it - 60 years ago and will never forget body surf barrels - and shorebreak flip overs - crack one and tumble turn to land on your feet on the beach ??
Select to expand quotestehar said..
Been on an " intermittent fasting " way of life since March and gone from 92k to 77k at present. Bike riding and started at gym ( 3 times week ) for an hour. Usually about 2.30. Re ordered board - much fitter and regained enthusiasm. Getting a sup bike rack for the new 8'10" Smik - intend to continue bike riding along with surfing.
Hi mate, great to see the Smik back on the way, it will be a blast if its anything like my 8'6 Hipster. Was out on it yesterday for the first time in months, super stable paddling out over waves and comets alive on any wave with a bit of push to it.
As for the starting at the gym that's the best thing anyone can do for their long term health. Once you are over thirty (which I assume is most of us posting here) muscle wastage has started and only speeds up over our later years. Lifting heavy weights that challenge you is the only way to prevent this loss, it is the one thing all of us should do three to four times a week.
Most of the newest research is advocating this, its the best way to build your bone density too.
I used to cycle a lot its great for weight loss and cardio, enjoyable too in the right location but not a one and done for our health.
Weight training seems to be, I am not talking about looking better, although if that's a by product for someone fantastic. It's about living the last decade of our lives being independent and healthy and able to do the things we love, in our case Sup surfing.
Driving a bus for a living I see older people everyday struggle to step up a few steps, have no strength in their arms and finding things they did with ease in their younger days harder or impossible.
I am lucky that my workplace has a gym and I will spend my lunch break there. When my fellow drivers give me a hard time about lifting weights, I tell them its like having superannuation for your body. They worry they wont have enough money to retire on, when sadly for a lot of people the won't have the health to enjoy their retirement.
So everyone might not find a gym and lifting weights enjoyable but its the best investment you can make for your future.
If you going to start lifting please check with your Doctor if needed first, and find a good gym and maybe get an instructor for a few months.
I look back on some photos of me from a few years ago and can see that I was well on the way to wasting away. I have now reversed that and hope to continue to slowly build muscle mass and hold it as long as I can.
Cheers.
Steve.
Thanks Steve - the gym in the arvo instead of a nanny nap has now become an enjoyable habit! I go faster on the board paddling and faster on the bike - too fast? Crashed the other day and lost a fair bit of bark.
Select to expand quotestehar said..
Arthritis and health have changed surf outlook!
Going to keep Smik bonzer long board for my local break ( Arrawarra Headland ) and also for leisurely river paddles. After checking the local beach breaks - I have cancelled the short board - thanks Scott.
I will now go to a " gut slider " - old surf mate Robbo makes these and will lend to try out. Belly board maybe, or even a piapo - back to the beginning of my surfing 70 years ago. Two different surf styles to enjoy!/
Keep surfing in any form as long as you can especially if you are living on Coffs Coast. There has been lots of YouTube vids on Longboarding there done by Gary McEvoy. Arrawarra looks awesome.
Select to expand quotestehar said..
Been on an " intermittent fasting " way of life since March and gone from 92k to 77k at present. Bike riding and started at gym ( 3 times week ) for an hour. Usually about 2.30. Re ordered board - much fitter and regained enthusiasm. Getting a sup bike rack for the new 8'10" Smik - intend to continue bike riding along with surfing.
way to reclaim an active life stehar.... that's the best way to extend an active life as we age! 
Select to expand quotestehar said..
Arthritis and health have changed surf outlook!
Going to keep Smik bonzer long board for my local break ( Arrawarra Headland ) and also for leisurely river paddles. After checking the local beach breaks - I have cancelled the short board - thanks Scott.
I will now go to a " gut slider " - old surf mate Robbo makes these and will lend to try out. Belly board maybe, or even a piapo - back to the beginning of my surfing 70 years ago. Two different surf styles to enjoy!
BACK to SUP - health improved - re ordered!!!
This is where it is at at present! Looking good ??
Smik Hipster Twin - swallowtail - 8'10" - hybrid nose and 32.5 wide with rails for east coast beach breaks. A custom boats - have really enjoyed sorting this board out with Scott - getting keen to get on it - getting fit with paddling bonzer plus gym and bike riding - bought some racks for the new board - ride to beach!
Be careful when you ride the bike with your SUP in the racks. It can be a bit tricky so practice before you go and make sure your front wheel doesn't hit he board when turning. (speaking from experience here)
Yes - went 50 m up the road with the 9'9" bonzer - came home and bent racks to suit - 8'10" gives a bit more leeway I hope.
Select to expand quoteflowmaster said..
That's a lot off grip, are you gonna noseride it ?
Will use the whole board when appropriate. Got the idea from the wife's " Striker "
Select to expand quotejustaddwater said..
Like the way you do full length deck grip Steve does it add much weight ?
A normal, 5mm SUP deck pad uses EVA foam has a weight of 625g / m2.
More if wet, as water sticks to it more than using wax of hexatraction.
More weight on the nose is not a problem for noseriding, only for whipping around the nose in turns, and maybe out of balance when carrying if the handle is not placed for it.
Select to expand quotecolas said..justaddwater said..
Like the way you do full length deck grip Steve does it add much weight ?
A normal, 5mm SUP deck pad uses EVA foam has a weight of 625g / m2.
More if wet, as water sticks to it more than using wax of hexatraction.
More weight on the nose is not a problem for noseriding, only for whipping around the nose in turns, and maybe out of balance when carrying if the handle is not placed for it.
Thank you Colas for answering jawater's question!
