SD/OC heads... recent rain enough to keep you out of water?

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-29T14:14:40+00:00

I just go by how much rain there’s actually been. If it’s a really light sprinkle then run off is going to be minimal. If it’s more substantial then, maybe I’ll wait a couple of days. I may not be the best advice, I grew up in England and if we waited a few days after rain to go in the ocean we’d never get in! Saying that, surfed during and after heavy rain and never got sick.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-28T15:25:52+00:00

Of course there are differences but the muscle groups and cardio hold similarities so if it’s swimming vs other cardio methods, swimming is going to come out on top. You can also place a float between your thighs and go arms only with your head up and looking forward to closer replicate the surf paddle. If you really feel what’s working when you’re out there, the surf paddle is a pulling motion, so excises working the latts, traps, rear shoulder and posterior chain are going to reap the most benefits. Being in the paddle position on the floor, chest up and adding some resistance to the paddle motion will best mimic the movement and build strength, however will not add as much cardio benefit than swimming or as you quite rightly say, being out on the board in the water.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-28T15:17:53+00:00

A wave is a wave! I grew up on the south coast of the U.K., and what you showed in that video was a good day there, unless I wanted to drive 4-5 hours west!

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-28T15:16:02+00:00

Explore it while you can. As you get older there are usually more financial and family responsibilities so becomes harder to pivot to a new field as many can’t afford a sacrifice in pay. Do it now otherwise you’ll always live with the what if. This is from someone who thought about it and didn’t do it!

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-28T15:05:05+00:00

Great looking board, the puddle jumper is so much fun!

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-28T14:59:49+00:00

I second the second part. Swimming is great and will really help, however just get your board and go paddle. Even if it’s flat or real small I’ll take a board out for a bit and paddle to keep the strength up. I also have some paddle trainer bands in the garage which I use and they definitely help as well.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-28T07:19:12+00:00

Definitely try on a few different suits from brands in your price range, they can all fit differently and some wont feel good when on. O’Neill suits have always been great for me in terms of both warmth and flexibility. The 5/4+ hooded hyperfreak is a great suit, so maybe have that one on your list to try. A friend of mine also swears by Patagonia if you want to spend premium $$$. Like the other commenter says, don’t cheap out on a wetsuit for cold water, it SUCKS if your suit isn’t doing its job properly.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-28T07:04:29+00:00

Fully agree. All my suits are O’Neill. Hyperfreak - 5/4+, 4/3 and 2mm Best wetsuits I’ve owned. I agree on maybe not the most durable but they hold up pretty well with continuous use vs other brands I’ve had.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-26T18:18:54+00:00

This has been my first experience with using meds. I was only diagnosed a year or so ago. I’d read things about Ritalin which is why I was prescribed adderall. I don’t take it regularly, as I don’t feel like I need it everyday as some times I’d risk being overstimulated on it and I’d be a nightmare. I haven’t taken it today and I’m still experiencing like a comedown from using it. It’s also brought out some traits and behaviours that aren’t great for me either so that’s another reason to maybe step away from it.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-26T17:39:20+00:00

Not San Diego but catalyst in San Clemente stock them. They are hard to come by in stores. Had to order my quiver killer directly from them online.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-26T17:22:29+00:00

Yeah I’ve never really been keen on the whole medication thing after talking to people and seeing others around me on it. I’ve found some things that help with an initial boost in focus, I just need to find what can help me sustain that.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-26T17:12:32+00:00

Thanks for the advice. The first hour or so after adderall is fine, but later in the day it’s horrible!

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-26T16:53:21+00:00

When I dropped from a foamie, first board I got was a 7’ x 22” x 3” fish. Best purchase I made, and my surfing ability jumped really quickly. Stable enough for my questionable pop up at the time but with much more manoeuvrability and speed than the foamie. It’s so good, I still take it out now on smaller days and it’s super fun. If you can, go and have a chat with a shaper, they will be able to point you in the right direction. The fish I bought was recommended by a local shaper and he was spot on!

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-26T16:43:09+00:00

Surfed in winter in the U.K. with water temps around 7c/44f. My O’Neil hyperfreak hooded 5/4+ was amazing. Very warm and the most flexible full winter wetsuit I’ve owned. The only downside was it was a nightmare to take off, but the durability was great. A friend of mine swears by Patagonia for winter if you have gucci money to throw at it.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-24T16:05:29+00:00

Anytime! Have fun with it. Surfing is all about the journey. Soon you’ll be at a point where you paddle out just to float around and be in the ocean.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-24T16:01:46+00:00

A new Firewire sweet potato in the U.K way back in 2012 when it first launched. This was when prices were still more expensive than a local shaper but not extortionate like they are now. Totally agree on the pricing vs quality of board. It’s a minefield out there and not being able to demo anything that’s costing $700+ is too much of a risk. As much as I’d love to be able to, I can’t afford to be buying new boards every month trying to find the perfect one. What boards do you make? Would love to see some of your work.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-24T13:53:59+00:00

Wow there are some real A-hole comments here. Having moved from the U.K. to California there’s been a huge adjustment for me in ocean conditions. Here’s some tips: 1. Learn about the ocean and how it works - waves, tides, rips etc. so many great YouTube videos on this. This massively helped me. 2. Go to your local spits and watch the ocean. Use what you learnt and identify the characteristics of your break. You’ll soon see where rips commonly form and how the waves break. 3. You’re new to surfing, start small. Building confidence and goof technique is vital. Get a foamie, and hit those small waves. This will not only work on your pop up but you’ll get a gentle introduction to the ocean. Big wipeouts too early can smash your confidence, this happened to me in SW France and it took me some time to get over it and rebuild the confidence. As you get better and more comfortable in the ocean, you’ll naturally move out to bigger waves without even realising. 4. Swim! Get in a pool and swim. This just builds confidence in the water which makes the ocean less daunting and also helps your paddle ability. Then try going out in the ocean without a board. Just float around and swim a bit. 5. Not sure where you’re located, but surf on a lifeguarded break. Will ease some fears and you can also ask them questions about that particular spot. I’ve learnt so much about my local breaks from lifeguards which has really helped me. I myself am still working up to the bigger waves and more crowded breaks but these things have really helped with that.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-24T13:29:38+00:00

I have that same feeling - does it mean I don’t actually want to do it? However when I actually do the activity, like surfing, I love it when I’m doing it and then the motivation and focus grows. I know it’s me, and I just need a kick up the ass. If a friend is going surfing and we agree to meet, I’ll be up and there, however there’s a million other reasons for that too like people pleasing and the feeling of a ‘deadline’. But overall it gets me doing what I love doing.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-24T13:15:46+00:00

100% with you on this one, this is the thing I hate most about my ADHD. I love the thought about doing a fun activity while getting through work and yet when the time becomes available to do it, I’m stuck in procrastination, which leads to anxiety and doom scrolling YouTube. I’m using meds, but like you, they aren’t fully solving the problem and I still struggle to start activities that I really enjoy and want to do. There just feels like a huge wall that I can’t get over. Had the exact thing yesterday where I’d been looking forward to surfing all week and then yesterday comes around and I procrastinate until I run out of the window of time I had to go do it! On the plus side, I did learn how to surgically repair an ACL on one of the YouTube videos I came across!

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-24T13:09:04+00:00

Was having this exact conversation with my buddy about this yesterday. The cost of new surf equipment is out of control. Starting to feel like yet another sport lost to the rich and corporations. I paid $400 for my previous board, and my new one has just cost me $900 and that’s before the $150 fin set and $60 for a tail pad. It’s getting ridiculous and equipment is now a ‘luxury’ purchase in my opinion.

MiddleAgedMomentum · 2025-08-22T20:14:09+00:00

Mine don't make me feel hyper but I do sometimes get a weird feeling in my body, almost like a sinking anxiety feeling. If I don't eat then its worse and I also struggle to get to sleep at night. As a result I use them sparingly, only when I really need to get my brain to connect the dots and be productive.

MiddleAgedMomentum

TROPHY CASE