A few weeks after Steve wrote 'Why Do We Quit', an article that elicited 300-plus comments, septuagenarian swooper Larry McGraw offers his insights on a long surfing life.
Nice one Larry. Been at it 50 years plus and to be honest, I just like being out on the ocean.
stunetMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 7:58am
Rather than some complex belief system, that's all you really need, eh? Enjoyment of the ocean.
andy-macMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 7:40am
Inspirational stuff!
Living a good life....
geoffreyMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 7:44am
hes reinforced my belief of fitness regimes: if you do it enough you really dont need to do that much maintenance. or it is kept to minimal levels. this is an overall average obviously there will be exceptions. consistency is the key i think. ive always gotten injured when theres something else going on in life and im not getting in the water as much and youve let some of your critical muscles get a bit lazy.
GuySmileyMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 8:00am
Good one, Larry living the dream
dandandanMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 8:19am
Can you imagine the level of stoke and calm you'd be feeling after five months of very very uncrowded G Land?
RemigogoMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 8:23am
'I never was a ripper.. I'm a swooper and I love it'.
Why not. Gotta love it.
Fraser GMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 8:51am
To be living like Larry....
Island BayMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 9:04am
A good board, some good waves, and all the time in the world.
memlasurfMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 11:17am
You missed the cold Bintangs to complete the picture IB.
simbaMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 9:36am
yep and im sure having the income of being a dentist helps.........but good on him love the passion.
cr 95Friday, 1 Oct 2021 at 4:01am
That's called playing the long game. While a lot of guys were hanging on the beach and forsaking any good employment this guy was getting an education and advanced degree. By the time of his early thirties he can work anywhere and make 15K plus. And those guys who just hung out and surfed? They're living in trailers and hanging out with fat girls. There is a difference between making surfing a lifestyle and integrating surfing into your life.
simbaFriday, 1 Oct 2021 at 6:30am
cr95 totally agree .....
gcartMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 10:13am
Just when I was about to hang up the board @ 63 . Thanks Larry , I'm inspired . Now where is that vax passport of mine.
Surf Raw FilesTuesday, 28 Sep 2021 at 9:38am
Thanks a lot man, glad you enjoyed, this gives me extra motivation to keep filming and asking thoose questions to surfers!
johnruciakMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 10:29am
72-11=61 :) Talk about living the dream!
mikehunt207Monday, 27 Sep 2021 at 10:39am
Some empty gland for Larry!
Enjoy.
K.T.Monday, 27 Sep 2021 at 11:20am
Inspirational stuff Larry!
Great for me to read after dusting off the cobwebs at the age of 46 :)
Now to do something about that gut haha...
SpuddupsMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 12:27pm
Is he doing a visa run once a month or did he manage to get a special visa somehow?
Bob SacamanoMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 12:34pm
I love how he laughed off the question about yoga, exercise or a healthy routine. " I just surf and paddle", said by a man with beer in hand and a sunset reflecting off his glasses, I'm sure after a nice day of waves. May you get another 1000 waves Larry, before the floodgates open with wave and Bintang hungry Aussies.
OptimistMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 1:16pm
Live Like Larry….that has to be the new surfers motto…top fella… enjoyed watching that.
blowerMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 1:29pm
The good ol' days are now.... Good onya Larry, plenty more to come no doubt.
freeride76Monday, 27 Sep 2021 at 3:27pm
he's surfing great.
solid as.
BalberoMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 6:14pm
That was Great, saw a 70 old plus mate get a great barrel this morning on a six ft glassy bombie, another 70 old plus bugger packing closeout 3/4 ft runners this arvo. What does this all mean? Never give up the dream to stay healthy and keep surfing. As broken as I am just get that fuckin wettie on and get out there for some more possibilities. I got a barrel myself which has been a long time coming yeeeewww.
freeride76Monday, 27 Sep 2021 at 6:27pm
thats fkn awesome.
channel-bottomMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 6:54pm
Great vid.
What section of GLand is he taking off on?
groundswellTuesday, 5 Oct 2021 at 10:58pm
Looks like moneytrees on a south swell to me. Definitely not kongs, speedies, ledge or launch pads.
nickcaMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 7:38pm
Mostly positive posts above well done. Every now and then though I get something a bit judgemental… equating his income or profession with a judgement. If I’m in the lineup, boxing ring ,sporting field etc does it really matter? Well done mate! Did he mention or, should he explain his income source or access,only if it’s relevant.
sean killenMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 8:30pm
LEGEND LARRY.. love ya outlook on life.. keep it up champion
tigerMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 8:38pm
Saw him there 2 years ago. He got some of the biggest bombs from the pad on a couple of solid speedies days. Inspiring.
san GuineMonday, 27 Sep 2021 at 11:16pm
"Well, your free time is just as important as your work time..."
That's all you need to know really
PabloMTuesday, 28 Sep 2021 at 12:05am
Legend
bellyTuesday, 28 Sep 2021 at 7:13am
I'm a swooper on short boards ha ha.
What I liked is the work-life advice, I see too many people not taking enough time off.
Island BayTuesday, 28 Sep 2021 at 11:05am
Not everybody can do it, but if you find yourself in a position that allows working less, it's well worth trading money for more freedom and free time.
I took the plunge 8 years ago, and have never regretted it.
I hope I can swoop in Indo at 72, but why not?
bellyTuesday, 28 Sep 2021 at 11:22am
Oh for sure, I've started to invest in LWOP across the last few years, and I'm lucky I/we can do it. What I can't get my head around is peeps that don't take their 20 days. I had 1 boss that would do 2 weeks NH skiing every summer and 2 weeks golf somewhere every winter. Sure no kids but always gave him something to look forward to, and he worked hard. Self employed is different again, get that.
dinnerdishWednesday, 29 Sep 2021 at 7:13am
Hats off to Larry....
cr 95Friday, 1 Oct 2021 at 3:49am
It may sound cruel
droddersWednesday, 29 Sep 2021 at 7:43am
Loved that - and I love swooping - underrated I think
BnkrefWednesday, 29 Sep 2021 at 9:42pm
So good. Inspiring. Need to get back there.
5 months! Solid.
Vince NeilThursday, 30 Sep 2021 at 9:44am
met Larry 2 seasons ago....he had unique approach and he dominated on his 8'0....lap after lap after lap of money trees...
Had some sage advice for sure...
SurferSamThursday, 30 Sep 2021 at 10:41am
Met him at gland in 2001 and thought he was old then ha ha
Leebo20Saturday, 2 Oct 2021 at 7:17pm
Great interview.
Nothing special just keep fit for your time away.
roondogTuesday, 5 Oct 2021 at 8:30pm
luv the look of his board
batfinkSaturday, 9 Oct 2021 at 2:17pm
Nothing wrong with swooping. Well on my way to becoming a salty, leather-skinned, swooping battler. Back ending my life after working too much and getting through the family years.
Comments
That’s a lot of consecutive years to Indo!
now thats worth a watch.......
Thanks a lot man!
Nice one Larry. Been at it 50 years plus and to be honest, I just like being out on the ocean.
Rather than some complex belief system, that's all you really need, eh? Enjoyment of the ocean.
Inspirational stuff!
Living a good life....
hes reinforced my belief of fitness regimes: if you do it enough you really dont need to do that much maintenance. or it is kept to minimal levels. this is an overall average obviously there will be exceptions. consistency is the key i think. ive always gotten injured when theres something else going on in life and im not getting in the water as much and youve let some of your critical muscles get a bit lazy.
Good one, Larry living the dream
Can you imagine the level of stoke and calm you'd be feeling after five months of very very uncrowded G Land?
'I never was a ripper.. I'm a swooper and I love it'.
Why not. Gotta love it.
To be living like Larry....
A good board, some good waves, and all the time in the world.
You missed the cold Bintangs to complete the picture IB.
yep and im sure having the income of being a dentist helps.........but good on him love the passion.
That's called playing the long game. While a lot of guys were hanging on the beach and forsaking any good employment this guy was getting an education and advanced degree. By the time of his early thirties he can work anywhere and make 15K plus. And those guys who just hung out and surfed? They're living in trailers and hanging out with fat girls. There is a difference between making surfing a lifestyle and integrating surfing into your life.
cr95 totally agree .....
Just when I was about to hang up the board @ 63 . Thanks Larry , I'm inspired . Now where is that vax passport of mine.
Thanks a lot man, glad you enjoyed, this gives me extra motivation to keep filming and asking thoose questions to surfers!
72-11=61 :) Talk about living the dream!
Some empty gland for Larry!
Enjoy.
Inspirational stuff Larry!
Great for me to read after dusting off the cobwebs at the age of 46 :)
Now to do something about that gut haha...
Is he doing a visa run once a month or did he manage to get a special visa somehow?
I love how he laughed off the question about yoga, exercise or a healthy routine. " I just surf and paddle", said by a man with beer in hand and a sunset reflecting off his glasses, I'm sure after a nice day of waves. May you get another 1000 waves Larry, before the floodgates open with wave and Bintang hungry Aussies.
Live Like Larry….that has to be the new surfers motto…top fella… enjoyed watching that.
The good ol' days are now.... Good onya Larry, plenty more to come no doubt.
he's surfing great.
solid as.
That was Great, saw a 70 old plus mate get a great barrel this morning on a six ft glassy bombie, another 70 old plus bugger packing closeout 3/4 ft runners this arvo. What does this all mean? Never give up the dream to stay healthy and keep surfing. As broken as I am just get that fuckin wettie on and get out there for some more possibilities. I got a barrel myself which has been a long time coming yeeeewww.
thats fkn awesome.
Great vid.
What section of GLand is he taking off on?
Looks like moneytrees on a south swell to me. Definitely not kongs, speedies, ledge or launch pads.
Mostly positive posts above well done. Every now and then though I get something a bit judgemental… equating his income or profession with a judgement. If I’m in the lineup, boxing ring ,sporting field etc does it really matter? Well done mate! Did he mention or, should he explain his income source or access,only if it’s relevant.
LEGEND LARRY.. love ya outlook on life.. keep it up champion
Saw him there 2 years ago. He got some of the biggest bombs from the pad on a couple of solid speedies days. Inspiring.
"Well, your free time is just as important as your work time..."
That's all you need to know really
Legend
I'm a swooper on short boards ha ha.
What I liked is the work-life advice, I see too many people not taking enough time off.
Not everybody can do it, but if you find yourself in a position that allows working less, it's well worth trading money for more freedom and free time.
I took the plunge 8 years ago, and have never regretted it.
I hope I can swoop in Indo at 72, but why not?
Oh for sure, I've started to invest in LWOP across the last few years, and I'm lucky I/we can do it. What I can't get my head around is peeps that don't take their 20 days. I had 1 boss that would do 2 weeks NH skiing every summer and 2 weeks golf somewhere every winter. Sure no kids but always gave him something to look forward to, and he worked hard. Self employed is different again, get that.
Hats off to Larry....
It may sound cruel
Loved that - and I love swooping - underrated I think
So good. Inspiring. Need to get back there.
5 months! Solid.
met Larry 2 seasons ago....he had unique approach and he dominated on his 8'0....lap after lap after lap of money trees...
Had some sage advice for sure...
Met him at gland in 2001 and thought he was old then ha ha
Great interview.
Nothing special just keep fit for your time away.
luv the look of his board
Nothing wrong with swooping. Well on my way to becoming a salty, leather-skinned, swooping battler. Back ending my life after working too much and getting through the family years.
Good luck to you Larry.
wow mind bending he's 72!
Mike Takahashi. Ripped and ripping at 70.
https://www.instagram.com/takahamike/