I think my balance is ok. I can rollerblade, ski, and ride bike and motorcycle. Never really tried skateboard or snowboarding.
I think I'm having sort of midlife crisis. I'm in my mid 40s and wondering why I'm not taking advantage of all my free time and opportunities. So I think I will start learning new stuff. Once this COVID-19 dies down and international travel restrictions are lifted, I think I'm going to go live in different areas of the world for months at a time and try to learn. I want to learn how to surf. Then scuba.
I spent the last hour researching surfing schools. Last year when I visited Jeju island, I visited a beach and watched people surfing. I think I want to do that. So I'm going to book a month in Jeju island and take surfing lessons and learn to surf. Then book a month in Thailand and learn how to scuba. I told my wife and she thinks it's a great idea. Maybe spend a year and try living in different cities and places around the world.
I used to surf quite a bit. Learned how shortly after moving to Los Angeles in the early 1990s and really only stopped about 17 years ago after my son was born as it took up too much time. It is great exercise but can present some unique challenges to staying healthy too. One problem is bacteria in the water, you definitely don't want to go out after it has rained as the waters will be hazardous to your health. Another problem is sea life and the fact that you have a surf board tethered to your leg. I've been hit in the mouth by my own board, split my lower lip wide open which required stitches. I've been hit by other people's boards too. Then there is the marine life. I've seen jellyfish in the water but if you're wearing a wetsuit you likely won't get stung. I've never seen a shark but I know they're there.
The bigger the surf the harder it is to paddle out. If you don't feel comfortable paddling out into big surf, don't do it. It is very physically demanding and if you aren't used to it 20 minutes in the water paddling into big surf can just make you feel completely spent. Longer boards are more stable and easier to catch waves with but they can be more challenging to paddle out into big surf with. I would say give it a few weeks practicing a couple hours every day or every other day in small surf and you should get the hang of it and be able to catch a wave and stand up on the board and ride it a short distance.
My first board was a 7'6" egg shaped board which was a good first board, not too large that it was difficult to turn but big enough I could catch waves. You'll need a leash unless you like swimming in to retrieve your board every time you fall off of it. You'll also need some wax that is suitable for the water temps you'll be surfing in. Wax is to make the deck of the surfboard grippy, apply it liberally. Weather or not you need a wetsuit depends on the water temperature. I used to surf year round so I had a couple different wetsuits for different seasons. If you plan on surfing in warm waters then board shorts will be enough but I would wear a rash guard or that wax will rub the skin off your chest and stomach.
Surfing is a lot of fun. I still miss it at times.