Another extraordinary development is taking place among the surfers of the world. Each year, an increasing number of senior ladies are riding those waves, fulfilling a lifelong dream of surfing! One of them is Angela King, shown in this file photo, winner of the 2023 Advocate Award for Inclusive Innovation. Now 62, she’s teaching surf with contagious zeal at URBNSURF Melbourne. Having retired this past June, she now counsels women in their 40s, 50s and even 60s. She urges them to push past the limits of their imagination that usually prevent adults from taking up a new sport later on in life.
King’s commitment to her students is part of a larger movement within the surfing community. Women 55 to 64 years old account for 13.4% of female surfers. This older demographic is quickly overtaking the younger, 18 to 24-year-old demographic. This participatory shift seen from older women surfers marks an interesting transition in the perception and accessibility of surfing.
At 60 years old, Katie Pahlow had never surfed before her first lesson in July 2023. Through her indomitable example, she proved to us all that it is never too late to pursue a dream. As a freshly minted, impatient 17-year-old, I was living in the outer-west suburbs of Melbourne. I saw a secondhand surfboard listed in the classifieds and bought it for $50. Life got in the way, and she never had the chance to really learn to surf until now. I didn’t own a license and I had no one to drive me to the beach. Then life happened, starting university, working while having babies. I never had the opportunity to fulfill my dream, but it’s still near and dear to my heart,” she continued.
Pam Burridge, a former world-champion surfer, is illustrative of the growth of surf schools geared toward older women. She now leads surf retreats on the beaches of Mollymook, New South Wales. Her school has lured tons of ladies who never got the chance to ride the waves as teens. As Burridge points out, community is essential for women surfers. She’s convinced that by surfing alongside their peers, girls are more likely to make it and stick with surfing over the long-term.
The Role of Community in Surfing
Ben Considine, a surf coach and physiotherapist working with older female surfers, has seen the developing culture of community among them. Such trends are especially visible in community host spots, like Ocean Grove. He emphasizes that this element of community can be key to keeping people connected and committed over the long haul. It’s really hard work as well, so you really have to enjoy it in order to pursue it,” Burridge reflected, emphasizing the dedication that the field takes.
Considine recommends that beginners start with a board in the 8-9 foot range and learn the fundamentals in waist-to-chest deep water. Direct, actionable language like this gives beginning surfers the confidence to grow their expertise without intimidation, and this approach continues throughout.
Angela King supports this notion, arguing that when individuals feel empowered and safe in their communities, they are able to develop more swiftly. Confidence increases their capacity to flourish and excel. “And that’s when people progress quicker because they’re not second-guessing themselves,” she explained. This support increases the chances that older women will have a gratifying experience while learning to surf.
As women continue to gather in groups for lessons or casual surfing sessions, they find camaraderie in their shared experiences. “It’s just so good to meet older women who have surfed for a long time,” said Jacquie Chambers, who recently won her first Australian title in the over-50s women’s final. Mikayla found inspiration and encouragement from her fellow competitors, hailing them as women of adulthood and grace. “Because they’ve got so much poise and wisdom about them,” she continued.
Overcoming Challenges
As many will attest, the happiness of surfing is increasingly being put to the test. Angela King knows that the biggest obstacle facing newcomers is mental though. As children with these challenges get older, overcoming these barriers can prove even more challenging. She encourages her students to focus on their motivations for surfing, asking questions like, “What are you doing this for? Like, are you going to go on tour?” This perspective allows students to make more focused, attainable goals and appreciate the journey to learning.
Physical difficulties like mobility issues are other prevalent concerns with an older surfing population. Ben Considine, an @afspnational, advocates for one of many challenges that often stymies first-timers. Yet many lack the flexibility and strength in joint important mobility hotspots like the lumbar spine, knee, hip, and ankle. By acknowledging these issues, we can make it easier for them to explore the sport in a more welcoming environment.
Even with all these obstacles, the excitement shown by aspiring older women surf newcomers is invigorating. Katie Pahlow doesn’t want to waste her recent good fortune. Now, she surfs at least two times a week. Each chance to better her technique while participating in surf camps invigorates her.
For sure, my skills and knowledge of the ocean are greater than they’ve ever been. But because I love it so much, my body just isn’t keeping up with my enthusiasm, unfortunately,” Chambers said, acknowledging the physical demands of the sport while celebrating her progress.
The Future of Surfing for Older Women
The future looks positively gnarly for older women in the surfing world. With more people getting lessons and entering welcoming communities that inspire their surfing adventures, it’s only going to grow. With each passing day, older female surfers are receiving increased exposure. They inspire those who continue to dream of the possibility to one day ride with the world’s best.
Dr. Sims explains that globally, demographic trends show us that more women than ever are interested in taking up the sport of surfing. With each woman over 50 who lives her best life on the trails, they inspire other potential participants to join in as well. “I think it’s people seeing that and going, ‘Oh they’re doing it; I identify like that too. I feel that way; I reckon I can do it,’” Angela King noted.
The ripple effect that these changes had is still visible both inside and outside their local communities and in the surfing culture at large. Older women are proving stereotypes around age and athleticism wrong on a daily basis. By doing so, their efforts motivate younger generations to view surfing as an attainable sport for all, regardless of age.
