Surfing might have been considered a young man’s game earlier. But now, the sport is slowly becoming the picture of inclusivity as more and more people adopt it to make their lifestyle healthier and happier. Some professional surfers have also kept the surfing tradition alive late into their 70s, becoming an inspiration for the masses.

A resurfaced image of a surfer in her 70s has left the internet in awe. The sheer drive and enthusiasm of the veteran surfer inspired and moved netizens, all at once.

Motivational pictures of 73-year-old surfer resurface

Years ago, in the year 2020, Nico Macchi, a Photographer, Filmmaker, and Droner from Costa Rica found a beautiful site while on a photography spree on the beach. Macchi observed an older woman who was preparing to surf in the ocean on a day with harsh weather and the sea a roiling mess.

Watching her, Nico Macchi realized that the woman was a living personification of the undying spirit of humans. He couldn’t help but capture the old surfer which he posted on his Instagram account. Now, 3 years later, these have resurfaced on social media once again after being reposted by a surfing page. Not only did Nico Macchi get a chance to photograph the surfer in the moment, but he also had a conversation with the 73-year-old. The wisdom she had to impart was invaluable.

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The woman, who had been surfing on the beach for over 35 years, told him, “The most important thing In life is not only doing physical exercise but also you have to know what to listen to, what to see, what to read, what to believe, what to think, what to choose, what to feel, what to eat and the most important thing for her is who you choose to live with”. As Macchi pondered over her useful advice, he wondered at the sight of her surfing despite being older.

Benefits of surfing for older adults

Surfing has both physical and mental health advantages for ‘Silver Surfers’, a term often used to describe older surfers. The sport has always been considered to be a good exercise, as it helps in improving strength and flexibility and even improves balance. By engaging and steeling muscles in the legs and torso, surfing can ensure that older adults don’t face the risk of losing their balance and falling in day-to-day life. In addition to these physical benefits, surfing can also help in improving mental health.

The sport can often lead to the creation of support groups among older adults who surf together. A perfect example of this is the surfer club, called Surf Witched, an all-female surfer group made up of older women who have come together in their old age and adopted surfing as a lifestyle. Jennifer Jefferies, the founder of the group, describes it as a community for older women who feel lost and lonely. The stories of the women of Surf Witched, and this 73-year-old female surfer whose name is unknown, prove that surfing is one of those activities that older people can safely undertake.

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