Three Reasons You Need To Surf This Year

As if you needed more reasons to surf this year…

Ok, so maybe surfing isn’t the first thing on your mid-January mind right now. But that doesn’t mean we can’t dream about getting back in the water. I surfed for some time in my early 20s and immediately fell in love with the focus, full body workout and sense of accomplishment that the sport provided me. Many surf-less years passed and I spent more and more time out of the water. But recently I have had an overwhelming urge to get back on the board. Surfing has multiple benefits — physical, emotional and mental — all of which is beckoning me back out on the waves.

benefitssurfing

benefitssurfing

Laka Floral Cropped VestAni Floral High Rise Bottom

benefitssurfing

Strappy Racer Back Swim TopZuma Basic Bottom

benefitssurfing

Physical Benefits: I think we’re all on the same page here — surfers have bangin’ bodies. Riding the waves is a dynamic cardiovascular exercise, working all major muscle groups in the arms, legs and core. Surfing includes a lot of paddling (please accept my apology for stating the obvious) which is a powerful low-resistant arm- and core-strengthening exercise. Once you’re up on the board, balancing takes a lot of core and leg strength. Alas, a full body exercise! And, surfing can burn over 400 calories per hour, which makes an afternoon out riding the waves a calorie-burning extravaganza.

Emotional Benefits: Any physical exertion delivers endorphins, feel-good, morphine-like chemicals, to your body and releases natural pain and stress fighters. I’m sure you’ve heard of “runner’s high” in which runners are able to find a place of pleasure when running once endorphins are released. Well, surfing is not only releasing endorphins, but catching a wave is also overcoming fear, rightfully giving surfers a strong sense of accomplishment. Surfers also comment on the connection that they have with the water and many studies have shown that being in nature is good for mental and emotional health.

Mental Benefits: To quote one king of surf, Kelly Slater, “it’s all about where your heads at.” To be out on the water, waiting for waves, creates a sense of focus and patience in surfers. The mind releases day-to-day thoughts and stresses and focuses solely on the waves. Can you imagine stressing about the list of errands you need to run while you’re sitting on your board, out in the ocean, eyeing the next set? Yeah, me neither. And how beautiful is that?

benefitssurfing

benefitssurfing

benefitssurfing

Strappy Racer Back Swim Top

benefitssurfing

Ehukai Rash Guard 

benefitssurfing

High Neck Crop Top, Basic Bottoms

Modeled by Bridget Jones. Photos by Melodi Meadows.

+So who is with me and returning to the ocean this year? Hey surfers out there, why do you love the sport?

Follow Joanna on Instagram.

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Lydianon
8 years ago

Enjoyed your article.
I haven’t surfed since I was a teenager. I’ve since spent my whole adult life living inland. Traded in sand dunes for Palm trees. I sure miss the smell of the ocean. I’d love to try surfing again… On the largest board possible, lol. I never was all that good at it. Right about now I’d be happy just to sit on my board and take it all in :-)

Sage
8 years ago

HOW APPROPRIATE! I love this blog, and I’ve been jonesin’ to surf for months! Thanks for showing more more reasons to start now!

8 years ago

I just received a surfboard today and I’m so nervous yet excited. And lets just know right now I will not look as amazing as this girl does surfing but hell, she rocks it well.

http://throughmyowneyes.com

6 years ago

Surfing is an all body, all mind work out and it’s a ton of fun! It’s even better when you have the right footwear to wear to and from the beach. We love Ripa® Himalayan natural shearling sandals to warm up with after a cold ocean run. On warm days and when you’re just hanging out, check out the new, Ripa collection-Ripa® Sedona sandals. Cork inspired, padded footbed with a sleek traction sole-all in beautiful multi-colored straps!

5 years ago

THANKS for sharing this blog and informing.Three Reasons You Need To Surf This Year. For more surfing surfs visit http://santamonicasurfschool.com/

5 years ago

That is nice that surfing has physical and emotional benefits that I could have. Maybe it would be a good idea to start doing some surfing sometime soon. Maybe I should look into taking some surfing lessons so that I could improve on my emotional and physical self.

4 years ago

The best reason to surf is freedom! Feel it on your vacation in Morocco with https://bluewavesmorocco.com

3 years ago

My mom recently died, and I have been overcome with grief because of it. I plan to go on a month-long tropical vacation this summer to distress. It’s great that you mentioned that surfing helps a person release stress since they would be focusing on the waves, forgetting day-to-day thoughts. Perhaps I should try to learn how to surf through a private surfing instructor. Thanks.