Riding the waves: What it's like to try surfing as a woman over 40

Riding the waves as a woman over 40 takes more than enthusiasm, as Cowell’s Beach in Santa Cruz becomes the setting for an introduction to surfing. On Tuesday at 1 p.m., only three people are in the water as the writer heads out with new friends Francine and Cynthia, both in their late 50s. The group faces practical hurdles: carrying thick, foam-topped boards across sand and wind, and learning balance before standing. Cowell’s sandy, shallow bottom is used to avoid searching for a perfect beginner wave, with gear and wetsuits arranged through Cowell’s Surf Shop. Francine (58) and Cynthia (57) both had stand-up paddleboarding experience; Cynthia had balance concerns. The session underscores how a first scary attempt can lead to a clearer connection with the ocean and self.