Surfing is one of the national pastimes of Australia, but not only here of course. All around the world, people love nothing more than waking up on a lovely sunny morning, picking up their board and heading to the nearest beach to catch some waves. It’s never been easier for beginners to buy softboards online, allowing more people than ever to get started.
But why do people do it? Can’t surfing be quite a dangerous sport? At the end of the day, why bother learning to surf? Below are some of the best reasons we can think of that people should learn to ride the waves:
Reason 1: A Truly Unique Sporting Experience
There are lots of sports that we Aussies love: rugby, football, cricket, tennis, etc. They all provide a great thrill and excitement, but there is truly nothing like riding the awesome power of a wave from the sea toward the shore. As you feel the raw energy surging up beneath you, there’s a sensation of great power and privilege as nature carries you along. It’s really quite something.
Many surfers will attest that of all the sports they do, it’s surfing that really inspires them to live each day as they do! It also helps surfers to stand out somewhat from the crowd.
Reason 2: Fitness Benefits
It is no secret that there’s a growing shortage of physical activity among younger generations in this country. Surfing works your legs, core, and upper body strength, and provides an incredible workout in cardiovascular and muscular fitness, not to mention balance. It’s the ideal all-body workout, but can also be much easier on your knees than more repetitive sports like jogging on the hard concrete pavement.
To stay standing as you navigate your way across a wave, as any pro surfer will tell you, takes tremendous strength and agility. It does no harm that it’s also buckets of fun!
Reason 3: It’s a Confidence and Energy Booster
Have you ever noticed that surfers are generally very confident people? It’s not a coincidence. Each morning they head out to the waves to enjoy their morning surf, what they’re really doing is fueling themselves up for the day. After riding the waves in the morning, they’re pumped, energised, and ready to face anything!
When you can conquer your surfboard and the waves beneath you, you feel empowered to tackle anything else that might come your way that day. After the raw power of nature, nothing feels too much of a challenge.
Reason 4: Join a Community!
Another good reason to learn surfing is that you join a very unique and special community of people. Surfers are renowned for their fun-loving, friendly personalities. It’s nice for kids to make new friends with similar interests, and surfers are a good crowd for kids because they are courageous, energetic, and positive. Those are all great traits for one’s kids to acquire from their friends!
Reason 5: Improve Swimming and Water Skills
From a more practical standpoint, learning to surf is great for another reason which is that it delivers critical water survival skills. After increases in incidences of drowning over the past couple of years, it’s a better time than ever to ensure that you, your son or your daughter have superlative swimming and water skills.
Surfers have to learn a lot of important skills and tricks to stay safe, because it’s not a sport without risk. Therefore, learning to surf helps young people boost their mindfulness when it comes to personal safety and protection. These are lifelong skills that protect them, and that they can eventually pass on to others.
