The benefits of surfing
Whether it's your first time in the water on a Sandy SUP & Surf lesson or you're a seasoned pro looking for the perfect wave in a remote tropical location, there are numerous benefits for everyone, ranging from physical health, mental clarity & well-being, and a connection to nature. From our perspective, surfing is the one-stop shop for transforming a good life into a terrific one! This post, written from the first-hand experience of head coach James, details some of the benefits of surfing.
1, Physical health
There’s no doubt in our mind that surfing is a full-body workout, especially when the waves are pumping! Surfers develop strong arms and shoulders from paddling their surfboards in the water, hunting down the perfect waves. The more you surf, the fitter you get, the more opportunities you have to catch the best waves. It’s a repetitive cycle that we don’t mind at all!
On top of paddle fitness, surfing develops balance, timing, and coordination, which is required so that you can surf like a ninja when the set waves come your way! Surfing regularly keeps surfers in great shape, which offers huge physical health benefits.
2, Mental health
Ever heard of blue health? In its essence, the more time you spend around the blue stuff (oceans, rivers, lakes etc) the better you’ll feel. There are some pretty smart people doing some pretty smart things regarding blue health, whose information you’ll find here - Blue Environments & Health. Essentially blue health is uncovering the science behind why we all feel so much better after going for a surf or a swim in the sea.
It goes without saying that surfing is just phenomenal for mental health. It brings about clarity of thought, a calm mind, and a feeling of peace - huge mental benefits.
3, Travel & Social
Community is a giant part of surfing. There’s nothing better than learning to surf and meeting like-minded individuals who share your passion! Surfing is a fantastic way to create bonds that will last a lifetime, sharing waves and memorable moments in the ocean. The good news as well - it’s international!
4, Connection to nature
With our hectic 21st-century digital lifestyles, the necessity of feeling connected to the Earth has never been greater. Surfing is a total immersion (literally) in nature, which is essential to a balanced life. Surfing experiences, ranging from being in awe of stunning sunsets from the surf line-up to being humbled by massive waves when the ocean displays its full force, appear to foster a profound appreciation and connection to nature, which are key components of a grounded, quality life.
In conclusion, there is a reason we all love surfing so much - the benefits are endless! If you’re interested in surfing with James at Westward Ho, North Devon, and would like more information about surfing lessons, please check out our website!