Dylan Murphy Pegg © 2020
Hobbies keep us sane in our busy lives. From writing to painting to collecting whatnot, hobbies vary from people to people. I like reading books, but you may be different and enjoy taking pictures more. The great thing about hobbies is that you can always take on new ones. Surfing is often taken only as a sport and dismissed with a ‘too difficult to learn’ or ‘looks expensive’ or even ‘dangerous’. But let me tell you that surfing is one of the most fun and rewarding hobbies out there. It is literally for everyone.
Not too social? You can surf alone amidst the humongous ocean and feel the calm of the water beneath that you may feel only when you’re alone.
Feeling alone or love socializing? You can join a club or group at the closest beach, surf as a team with your friends and even make new friends. Those surfers are quite a fun bunch!
Here are a few reasons why we love surfing and think you will to:
- Stress-Relief
Hobbies should make you forget about that impending deadline or those bills, right? A good hobby lets you turn your back on life’s worries and relieve your stress. Surfing is one sure way to go closest to Mother Nature and experience a calming effect on mind and body. The water, the fresh air and the entire surrounding environment can clear the mind and relax a person automatically.
- Challenge
Surfing is not only about maneuvers and surfboards. It requires the willingness to learn a significant deal about the water. Checking the weather and learning its effect on the waves becomes a habit for a surfer.
This means you have to learn about the tides and wind. You should also know when and how to use a bodyboard, shortboard, or longboard. But it becomes an enthralling and fun activity once you get the hang of it.
As you begin surfing, you will discover that every wave is distinctly different from the previous one, so each surf is unique. Even choosing the spot for practicing would be difficult at the beginning. But as you continue, it is the challenge that will make you go back every time.
- Physical Fitness
As a surfer, you will need to paddle on the surfboard a lot. The paddling increases the muscle strength of back, shoulder and core muscles. As you surf, paddle, and duck dive, it will be as if you just did cardio or an intense endurance work out. It helps with breathing and stamina. Surfers need to stay in water for long periods, which is why many surfers have a higher tolerance for cold temperatures, especially the ones surfing in the cold UK beaches. Surfing makes you a better and stronger swimmer.
- Balance and Coordination
A surfer learns to paddle, then stand up on the moving surfboard and then manoeuvres it against gigantic waves. Encountering a new wave every time helps in letting your body learn coordination and balance. The better you are with balance, the sharper your turns for tricks.
- Survival
As a big wave comes for you, you will feel the adrenaline rush every time. But this is not all, surfing involves being alert and patient, depending on your instincts and being ready to tackle a new unique wave. As you learn new things each day, the accomplishment helps in increasing your self-esteem. You become more confident to take on new challenges.
- Inexpensive
The most surfing requires is a surfboard and a wetsuit, and you’re good to go. Even if you’re a beginner and need to learn it first, there are many coaches and classes available, and you can buy a used surfboard for less than £300 for the learning period.
As you can see surfing is great not only as a physical workout out but it is great from the mind as well. So, just get your surfboard, start paddling and find that new wave to ride!
