kava-and-surfing

[kava-and-surfing]

Kava and Surfing: Dodging the Pain Monster in your 50's

The Author putting his (not aching) body through a top turn!

First things first, let's get one thing straight - age is just a number, especially when it comes to surfing. If you've surfed for a majority of your life, you probably don't want to be putting the board in the rack for the last time. The stoke of surfing - regardless of how good you are is timeless . But, with age comes a bit of wisdom, and maybe some creaky joints and soreness that need a little TLC. That’s where kava comes in.

Still Ripping After 50

If you're over 50 and still surfing, you’re in good company. We can't all have the grommet stock of Occy (pictured above), but there are many of us still kicking on in the surf at 50+. Check out any surfing forum, like Reddit, and you'll find heaps of surfers from average joes to Black Belt ex pro's who refuse to let their age dictate their passion. One user's comment really summed it up: “You might find that you surf smarter, not harder.” It's about the pure joy, the finesse, and the zen-like feeling only a good surf can bring." This often helps if you've progressed onto a mid length.. but more on that in another blog.

A comment on Swellnet really resounded with me recently : “Surfing in your 50s, it’s not about the gnarly hacks or airs anymore. It’s about still feeling the glide, appreciating the ocean, and the quiet stoke of being out there, no matter your skill.” Wisdom right there!

But, let’s face it – sometimes those knees, shoulders, and back need a little extra loving. And that’s not a sign to quit; it’s a sign to surf smarter.

Enter Kava – the Pacific Island Secret

So what’s kava? It’s a root from the South Pacific, traditionally used to make a drink that helps with relaxation and social vibes. But beyond the chill factor, kava has an ace up its sleeve - it’s a natural anti-inflammatory.

Here's a little science tidbit - studies, like the one published in Nature, have shown that kava has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s particularly useful for reducing inflammation in joints, which any seasoned surfer (or seasoned surfer’s body) will tell you is a precious thing.

How Kava Can Help You Surf Smarter

1. Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is your body's response to all that paddling, popping up, and possibly getting rolled by sets on the bigger days . Over time, it’s the inflammation that leads to soreness and stiffness. This is a dead set speed bump for those struggling to get out of bed for the early because their body is sore. Kava is a natural anti inflammatory. Its the opposite of booze, which acts as an inflammatory. So not only do you get a nice buzz off of it, it's actually reducing the lactic acid and inflammation.

2. Promote Relaxation

Kava isn’t just for the physical; it’s also about mental well-being. A session of drinking kava can help you unwind mentally and physically. I jumped into this in an earlier blog re getting off the booze and the benefits of replacing it with kava HERE. Kava promotes a deep sense of relaxation without the hangover or grogginess.

3. Natural Pain Relief

For those inevitable aches and pains that come with the sport (and aging), kava offers a mild analgesic effect. It's not an over-the-counter painkiller, but it helps take the edge off in a gentle, natural way.

Dr Corey Howell gets into it here:

4. Better Sleep

Good sleep equals better surf sessions. Kava helps you relax so you can catch some quality Z’s. And remember, good quality sleep is your body’s best way to heal itself. It also help you get up for the dawn patrol easier!

How to Integrate Kava

You’re probably wondering how to get started. First, dismiss the nonsense about kava being damaging for your liver. There is literally no science to back this up if you are consuming aqueous kava juice. In fact there is an ongoing social experiment that has been running for hundreds of years in Vanuatu and Fiji re this. You see if there was a direct correlation to kava and liver damage, These countries (where 50% of the population drink kava regularly) would be stricken with liver toxicity cases. They aren't..

The different types of kava available to Australian surfers

With restrictions placed on what kava products can be sold in Australia, the below are the only 2 options available.

Traditional Powder Form: Traditional kava comes in powdered root form. Mix it in water the authentic way, a practice that Island surfers have done for centuries.INset pic and link of Van nat

Instant Kava : If you're looking for convenience, consider Instant kava - particularly the Vanuatu stuff (more on that in another blog later). Instant is not only convenient but also can be blended with other beverages, i.e.. shakes, juice etc.

Final Stoke

Surfing after 50 is about enjoying the time we have left and being grateful for each and every wave. If you can pull that off at the same time with your body not feeling like a rusty bucket of bolts, even better!

[kava-and-surfing]

Kava and Surfing Pumping Pango

surfing - Shells - surfing - more shells - surfing until busted - more shells - A tale of one my top 10 surf sessions of all time.

The author on a lesser day at Pango Beach

OK I'm going to wheel the clock back here to when I was residing in Vanuatu. It was likely around 2012. Let me take you on a wild afternoon down at Pango Beach. Picture this: clear blue skies, sun shining down, and the waves just getting better and better. It was one of those golden days where everything just clicked into place. The swell was consistently rising and, believe it or not, there was hardly anyone out. Just me and a young talent, Kye Healey and a few Ni-Van lads trading waves for a solid two hours.

After catching a bag of some of the best waves I ever surfed at this break, I decided to paddle in. There had been a pop up type kava bar that had been set up on Pango beach over the previous month and they were just opening up for the arvo. I grabbed myself a shell of that liquid gold and took a moment to watch Kye rip wave after wave effortlessly. This guy was on fire! After watching him get barreled for the umpteenth time, just watching wasn’t enough. I was itching to get back out there.

Kye Healy getting barreled in Australia few years later.

With the mellow kava buzz ringing in my ear, I paddled back out over the sharp coral reef. With the out going tide, the reef did a number on my feet, but hey, it was all part of surfing in the Pacific. After catching a some more barn burners and surfing them to the best of my average ability, I paddled back to shore to catch my breath. Another shell of kava and back to wave-watching. As the swell continued to rise, the waves got even better. Kye Healey at this stage (with the undeniable energy of youth) was absolutely tearing the bag out of it even after 3 or more hours in the water and god knows how many waves. The allure was undeniable. With just an hour left of daylight, I thought to myself, “Ahh, screw it. Let’s go another round.”

*Someone about to check for lobsters at Low Tide Pango

Walking out over the coral reef again – yeah, my feet were done. The reef cuts stung, but it was all worth it. Bagged four more beauties and knocked out one of my fins the end section. With the sun dipped below the horizon, painting Pango Beach in hues of gold and orange, I came in for the last time.

Finished up with one more shell of kava, and I drove home as happy as any surfer could be. A mild buzz from the kava, three of the best surf sessions I'd ever had all crammed into one afternoon, and a memory that would last forever!

Not sure if I ever mixed my two passions like that before or since... if I ever get back to Vanuatu on a pumping swell I'll be sure to give it a crack !

[kava-and-surfing]

Kava and Surfing

OK sounds like a bit of a niche topic here. But thought that I would make a start on what Drinking Kava is like for a Surfer. Particularly a surfer that:

Is around the age for 40 plus

Is looking at getting off the booze, has already started the process or is booze free.

Lets look at the main benefit that I find when drinking kava and surfing... not at the same time obv...

Getting the Early in!

As we get older and life's responsibilities catch up to us, kids, work etc. it gets harder and harder to get going for the dawn patrol. Through in smashing a six pack the night before.... and yeah it's a challenge.

Bit I challenge you to look back at the times you were a stress free grommet! Meeting your mates down the beach at the crack of dawn on your bikes, pumped to hit the line up.

Now imagine you can do that now. All it takes is a slight lifestyle change. The first of those is not drinking beers, but making and drinking some kava in the afternoon instead.

Now not just any old kava, but I recommend going for the Vanuatu kava types. They have a really nice buzz to them and are great as a social tonic - particularly having with a few mates. My go to is the below Vanuatu Natural from Australia Kava Shop, but literally any noble variety Vanuatu kava is good!

You see the beauty of drinking Vanuatu Kava, in deed any noble kava - is that you don't get hung over. You are up the next morning ready to rock, so setting the alarm for 5am ain't that big a deal!

I recommend trying this (if you can with work commitments) on a weekend first. Go the Friday night having a few shells of kava, then have everything ready to roll the next morning including:

a. Board in the car or on your bike rack

b. Dry wetty or boardies and rashies

c. Bottle of water and a towel

This means you aren't scrambling around in the dark trying to get your shit together and waking the family up at 5am.

Once the alarm goes, Get a quick stretch in (either at home or the beach and you are ready to rock !

Now like I said, do this once and I can guarantee you it will open your eyes to the benefits of drinking kava as a surfer.

OK back soon with the next installment of Drinking Kava and Surfing!