Although most people do not perceive surfing to be an easy task, once you learn how to ride the waves it can be one of the most thrilling and pleasurable experiences you will ever encounter. Surfing is known to have many benefits, aside from the obvious ones, such as fitness. While some people out there still adopt common misconceptions about it, thinking it is restricted to beach bums who spend their days getting a tan, it is actually a very physical and spiritual sport that requires patience, concentration and balance of the body.
So let’s delve into why surfing should be incorporated into your life and how this must-have experience could change your life for the better.
Surfing Encourages Personal Growth
Surfing can be challenging by forcing one to get out of their comfort zone, and this is already a valuable lesson into personal growth. Surfing can be quite a spiritual experience as it encourages one to overcome fears and provides them with a determination to achieve a goal. This ability to work hard and earn the achievement will result in personal fulfillment and this is essential to the mental growth of a person. The fact that you have taken on and achieved the task you were aiming for when you conquered the waves, will encourage the belief you can accomplish things outside of the water too.
Surfing is a Great Stress Reliever
Most people live quite hectic lives, whether your daily routine involves a lot of stress or you struggle with certain anxieties, surfing helps transform those tensions into motivation and calms the negative mindset that can feel overpowering. This individual time you grant yourself removes all the outside world stresses, and allows you to focus your mind on one thing: riding the waves. Your moment in the water allows you to be close to nature and begin your own form of meditation.
Surfing is a Workout
Let’s be honest, some people just aren’t designed to slave over an elliptical at a gym for hours on end. Some of us need more entertaining methods to get fit, which is why some people enroll in dance classes, and others opt for surfing. It’s no secret that surfers’ bodies are in incredibly good shape and that’s because surfing tones, all your muscles, without you even realizing. So if you want to get fit in the most fun way possible, start by getting to know the equipment by heart along with some basic training before even daring to go into the water. This way, you’ll know proper behavior and basic techniques while in the water. You’ll definitely enjoy the experience and what it does to your body and mind so much so that you’ll forget this was ever a workout.
Surfing Creates Friendship Bonds
There is one surfer stereotype that is undeniably true and that is that surfers are friendly, relaxed and open-minded people. While surfing is usually an individual sport, the community are so inviting. You’ll find it easy to make friends through surfing and go on rides together with like-minded people. Accomplishing this kind of act together creates special bonds that you’ll never want to lose. This chill culture is definitely worth being a part of, along with the warm people and the mutual desire to explore together.
Surfing is an Adventure
Surfing Changes Your Outlook on Life
This is where the spiritual side of surfing comes in. Surfing has the ability to make you stop and live in the moment. Your new found deep connection with the waves and your own body will stop your mind from wandering over yesterday’s stresses or tomorrow’s worries. You are now able to appreciate where you are this very moment and enjoy it before it passes you by. This outlook will spread over to your everyday mindset, encouraging you to take each day at a time and never take any moment for granted by being in your head too.
Connection with Nature
Fun and Challenge
Every wave offers a new challenge, making surfing a continuously exciting and rewarding pursuit. The thrill of standing up on your first wave is unforgettable, and the pursuit of the next ‘perfect wave’ can become a lifelong passion.
Travel and Exploration
Surfing isn’t just a sport; it’s a passport to some of the most exotic and breathtaking destinations on the planet. This unique aspect of surfing – the travel and exploration it encourages – is one of its most enticing attributes. Surfing takes you to far-flung corners of the world, from the legendary beaches of Hawaii and Australia to hidden gems in Costa Rica, Indonesia, and beyond. Each destination offers its own unique waves, culture, and experience. Surf trips can lead you to discover not just new surf spots but also new customs, cuisines, and landscapes.
Final Thoughts
Surfing is an incredible sport that you should definitely consider trying. It broadens your mind, gets you fit, challenges you, strengthens you physically and mentally, and takes you on an adventure! It can easily become an addiction, but it’s the healthiest form of addiction you could ever have. Conquering the waves will magically help you conquer anything! So what are you waiting for? Find your turf and learn to surf!