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Felipe Pomar Life Extension Specialist
Felipe Pomar world champion surfer, now 81 years young is actively planning to surf till he is 100 years old and beyond. A recent article by online Surfer Magazine featured a brief write up and interview where he shared some his thoughts on surfing and aging.
The article states Felipe Pomar has fully embraced a healthy lifestyle. He prioritizes fitness and focuses on all aspects of longevity for the sake of catching more waves. Truth be told, Pomar is no stranger to health and fitness, he’s been at it for decades.
The online Surfer Magazine article revealed that at the age 50 due to personal health issues, a doctor told Felipe Pomar he would never surf again. He also told him to never do any upper-body workouts again. Felipe decided he wasn’t going to listen to the doctors and he kept on surfing.
Pomar set about learning as much as he could about health and fitness so he could continue living the quality life he wanted to live. That was approximately 30 years ago. He was able to reverse or get rid of everything the doctors told him except for a bad shoulder.
Early on Health Practitioner
Roughly 30 years ago I met Felipe Pomar when we were regularly surfing Sunset Beach, Outer Laniakea and other North Shore big wave surfing spots. Felipe was generally the furthest surfer sitting outside waiting to catch the biggest and best waves, which he often did.
At the time Felipe was around 50 years old and already in fantastic shape. One time I remember the waves had been stormy for a week or so with strong blowing Kona winds. As we hadn’t surfed in a week some friends and I decided to play some tennis to get a little exercise in. When we got to the tennis courts I was surprised to see Felipe at the adjoining playing field doing wind sprints with power pushups in between.
It’s been said you don’t quit surfing because you get old, you get old because you quit surfing. It turns out motion is lotion, if you want an active lifestyle keep active. Felipe Pomar says, “I like to say the secret to living a long life is not to die.” He adds, “And if you have good circulation, your chances of not dying are much better.”
Felipe Pomar managed to reverse his health issues through a combination of alternative medicine, lifestyle changes, and a commitment to learning about longevity.
After being diagnosed with a serious, “incurable” disease in his fifties, Pomar declined experimental pharmaceutical treatments and instead received high-dose intravenous vitamin C therapy from a physician practicing Orthomolecular Medicine, which he credits as a turning point in his recovery.
He also adopted a comprehensive approach to health by studying the habits of centenarians, traveling globally to learn about longevity, and developing a personal program focused on balanced nutrition, regular exercise, stress reduction, and adequate rest.
Pomar emphasizes a moderate, sustainable lifestyle—avoiding red meat, prioritizing fish, vegetables, and fruits, practicing intermittent fasting, abstaining from alcohol, and maintaining an active routine centered around surfing and physical fitness.
His optimism, refusal to accept limitations, and dedication to continuous self-education were key factors in overcoming his health challenges and regaining vitality
Balance is Key
Not being a health extremist, Felipe advocates a moderate approach for optimum wellbeing. Though he does regularly take vitamins and supplements he insists balancing the four basics of health, diet, exercise, rest and stress reduction is the key to health and vitality.
Additionally he points out, another thing that helps is for people to have a sport activity that they love doing. If you have something you love doing, and a problem shows up, you’re going to try to solve that problem. For Felipe Pomar surfing has always been the sport activity he loves to do. But surfing isn’t for everyone
For those who aren’t surfers there are still plenty of ways to keep moving and have fun at the same time. The idea is a body in motion tends to stay in motion. There are numerous sports activities that senior citizens can benefit from other than surfing.
The following 5 sport activities provide physical, mental, and social benefits suitable for seniors at various fitness levels.
1. Swimming – Low-impact and great for muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular health, especially good for those with arthritis or joint issues. Ocean swimming is best however it’s not always convenient.
2. Walking – Simple, accessible, improves cardiovascular health, bone strength, balance, and mental well-being.The benefits of walking are numerous and the advantage is you can walk anywhere at anytime.
3. Tai Chi – Gentle, slow movements that enhance balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and reduce stress. Stress reduction is paramount to health and vitality.
4. Golf – Low-impact, promotes range of motion, balance, circulation, and social interaction. In addition golf is an outdoor activity so it offers plenty of sunshine and fresh air which are crucial for good health.
5. Pickleball – Combines elements of tennis and badminton on a smaller court, offering cardiovascular benefits with lower injury risk. Turns out pickle ball currently is the fastest growing sport in America.
Walking vs. Other Sports for Seniors
Health Benefits
• Walking offers significant benefits for seniors, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and improved mental well-being and longevity.
• It is low-impact, making it suitable for nearly all fitness levels and health conditions, with a much lower risk of injury compared to higher-impact sports like running or jogging.
Comparison to Other Sports
• Compared to jogging or running, walking is gentler on the joints but may require longer sessions to achieve similar cardiovascular or calorie-burning benefits. Running can improve walking efficiency and fitness more quickly but carries a higher risk of injury and may not be suitable for those with joint issues.
• Walking is also easier to incorporate into daily routines and requires no special equipment or facilities, unlike some other sports.
Independence and Mobility.
• Regular walking helps seniors maintain mobility and itndependence, with studies showing reduced risk of disability and improved ability to p perform everyday activities such as walking, bending, and reaching. Studies show that just a daily 20-minute walk can reduce the risk of major disability by up to 41%, helping seniors stay independent and able to manage tasks like shopping, household chores, and community participation. Regular walking also improves balance, flexibility, and strength, further reducing the risk of falls and supporting continued independence.
Walking stands out for its safety, accessibility, and broad health benefits, making it an excellent choice for most seniors.
So there you have it, if you want to stay healthy and fit into your 100’s take it from Felipe Pomar, stay balanced, keep moving and find an activity that you love and keeps you moving.
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