Ask the old gnarly, perma-tanned guy next to you in the line up what benefits of surfing they have found and they will probably tell you “peace, man!”.
It’s true that surfing gives you a release from the outside world, but once you have entered the world of surfing, there are so many more benefits this sport can give you.
Strength and Stability
Looking back to your first time you attempted surfing, you probably remember how tiring it was. That’s because surfing hits so many muscles.
Whether you’re carrying your board down the beaten track to your favourite surf break or paddling relentlessly against the constant swell to get out back, your muscles are being activated the moment you suit up.
Of course the obvious targets are the shoulders, back and arms from the non-stop paddling to find and to drop in on the perfect peak.
Add to that the legs, core and stability muscles that are working hard to keep you balanced, and you get a full body work out that also makes you smile!
Cardiovascular Exercise
A particular study on six male surfing volunteers showed that a typical surfing session produced a mean heart rate of 75%, with paddling and stationary heart rates producing 80% and 71% respectively.
The study suggests that in terms of spent energy, recreational surfing is comparable with a selection of other activities including cycling, freestyle swimming and tennis.
With the added bonus of floating around the ocean in a (sometimes) sunny, beautiful location, You can have fun getting your weekly cardio in and burning those calories. Have you ever seen a happy cyclist…?
Ocean Awareness
From the moment you get hooked on surfing you are subconsciously taking in the environment and conditions, working out when to book a sicky off work so you can make the most of the on-coming perfect swell.
That awareness teaches you the potential dangers of the currents, tides and weather conditions, making you a valuable resource for all your non-beach going friends and family.
Learning how to read the ocean and the weather will make your session more enjoyable and all that practice will ultimately make you a better surfer!
Surf Therapy
With the non stop hustle and bustle of life, surfing gives you a moment to forget about your real world stress and worries and embrace nature.
Surfing can be a conduit to breaking the cycle of stress by releasing the happy hormones – endorphins – which relaxes muscles and relieves tension.
Surf Therapy has become more popular with mental health groups such as Surfwell, who support Emergency Services by providing those members with access to surfing as a channel for mental wellbeing and resilience.
Community and Lifestyle
There’s nothing comparable to calling up your surf buddies and meeting up on the beach for a brew, a chat and a surf to clear the mental and physical cobwebs.
The benefits of Surfing, not only being therapeutic, can create opportunities to meet friendly, like-minded people who can inspire, teach and open you to a new chilled out lifestyle that you never thought could exist. Be careful though, once you enter the surf lifestyle, there’s no going back!
Vitamin D
All that time on the beach will give you fitness, friends, inner-peace and (depending on where you surf) a nice golden tan.
Taking in all those sun’s rays will up your vitamin D levels which are necessary in keeping muscles, teeth and bones healthy.
Vitamin D gives your immune system a boost and is essential for the health of your cardiovascular system and lungs.
Limited research also suggests that an uptake in vitamin D can combat depression by boosting levels of Serotonin, which alters your mood when exposed to sunlight.
Downsides?…
With all these benefits and no known downsides to surfing, you should make every opportunity to get in the water and share the stoke with others that have already discovered the secret of surfing.
If you are new to the sport or want to improve your skills, why not book a surf lesson with us at OA Surf Club. Our friendly instructors can’t guarantee your intake of Vitamin D but can share their knowledge, skills and experience to make your session in the water more enjoyable.
