🏄 15 Benefits of Surfing | Why You Should Surf
- Discovering the main benefits of surfing
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What are the Benefits of Surfing
Surfing is good for you and healthy. It is true that not everyone has the will or courage to venture out on a surfboard, but judging by the benefits that the sport represents for health, surfing is and should be for everyone. In this post we will be diving in on the main benefits of surfing and how you can be a healthier and happier person if you pratice surfing.
Table of Contents
ToggleThe Origins of Surfing
The first recorded surfing took place in 1778, when Captain James Cook observed Hawaiian villagers riding the waves on their boards. He wrote in his journal that it looked like great fun. The sport of surfing then spread to other Polynesian islands, and eventually to the mainland of Australia and New Zealand.
In the early 1900s, surfing began to catch on in California. This is where the modern surfboard was invented. The first surfboards were made of wood, and were very heavy. They were difficult to paddle and maneuver. But surfers persevered, and eventually lighter and more maneuverable boards were developed.
Today, surfing is a popular sport all over the world. People of all ages and abilities enjoy riding the waves. There are even professional surfers who compete in tournaments. So next time you see someone surfing, remember, they are carrying on a tradition that started in Hawaii centuries ago.
Surfing is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors
If you’re looking for a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors, surfing is a great option. It’s a full-body workout that is also great for your cardiovascular health. And, it’s a lot of fun! There are a few things you’ll need to get started surfing:
- First, you’ll need a surfboard. You can either rent one or buy one. If you’re just starting out, you may want to consider renting a board first.
- Second, you’ll need a wetsuit. This will help keep you warm and protect you from the sun and the elements.
- Third, you’ll need to find a good spot to surf. Once you’ve got all of your gear, you’re ready to hit the waves!
Surfing invigorates the organism
It is said that a day of surfing cures everything and it is true. Surfing is good for the whole organism because contact with cold water reactivates the circulatory system, increases defenses and improves the immune system. In addition, it helps to fortify the bones, favoring the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatism.
Surfing is a great way to connect with nature
It’s a sport that requires you to be in tune with the waves and the wind, and it’s a great way to clear your head and get some exercise. When you’re out there surfing, you’re completely immersed in the elements, and it’s a great way to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
There’s something about riding the waves that makes you feel more in tune with the natural world. Maybe it’s the salty sea air, or the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Either way, surfing is a great way to relax and connect with nature. So, next time you’re feeling stressed out, why not give surfing a try? It might just be the perfect way to find some peace and quiet.
Improves cardiovascular health
Being a sport practiced in the water, the surfer has to deal with the force of the sea. In this sense, it demands the effort of almost all muscles, bones and tendons, which makes this one of the most complete sports. The athlete burns about 200 to 400 calories per hour of training, tones his body and increases his endurance. The contact with cold water is also associated with the disappearance of accumulated fats, since the decrease in body temperature requires more energy expenditure for the athlete to stay warm.
Surfing increases endurance
All sports help to gain stamina, but when we deal with the strength of the sea, we increase the level. Surfing demands the effort of almost all the muscles, bones and tendons, which makes this one of the most complete sports. There are about 200 to 400 calories per hour of training, which translates into a more toned, resistant and, of course, ‘in line’ body.
Surfing can help improve your flexibility in a number of ways
First, the act of paddling out to catch a wave requires a good range of motion in your shoulders. Second, when you are up on your board, you are constantly making small adjustments to your body position in order to stay balanced. This requires a good amount of flexibility in your hips and legs. Finally, the act of riding a wave itself requires a good deal of balance and coordination, which in turn can help to improve your overall flexibility.
Surfing is great to get fit
During a surf session, 80% of the time is spent lying on the board and rowing with the help of your arms. This physical work solicits the arms, shoulders, but also the back. This allows to develop the pectorals and the abdominal strap. Standing on the board, looking for the right balance, the surfer works on his posture and sheathing.
The legs are solicited during the take-off and the descent of the waves. They must support the whole body weight and make sudden movements to change direction. The quadriceps, adductors, abductors, glutes and calves are all muscles that are engaged when surfing.
In short, surfing is a very complete sport that allows you to work different muscle groups and thus have a good physical condition. The other 20% of the time spent in the water, the surfer must paddle hard to take the waves. Paddling is a full-body workout that solicits the arms, shoulders, back, legs, and glutes. This is an excellent way to build muscle and improve cardiovascular endurance. In addition to building muscle, surfing also allows you to burn calories and lose weight. A one-hour surf session can burn up to 1000 calories.
Surfing Improves Sleep
There are a few things that make surfing an ideal sleep-promoting activity. First, it’s a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. This means that it gets your heart pumping and gets you breathing hard, but it’s not so intense that it will make it hard to wind down at night. Second, it’s a outdoors activity that exposes you to natural light, which can help regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycle. And finally, it’s a social activity that can help reduce stress, which can also promote better sleep.
So if you’re looking for a way to improve your sleep, consider adding surfing to your list of activities. It just might be the perfect way to catch some waves and some Z’s.
Travel and make friends when you surf
Surfing drives you to seek out new and fabulous beaches to find the perfect wave. The better you get at surfing, the more remote and exotic the trips you take.
Surfing is a sport that is best enjoyed in the company of strangers or regular friends. Spending hours together in the water creates strong friendships between surfers who share different experiences and stories.
Whether it’s paddling out to the lineup, waiting for waves, or riding them in, there is always time to chat with your fellow surfers. You learn about their families, their hometowns, their jobs, and their lives outside of surfing. You also learn about the waves they’ve surfed, the best spots around the world, and the secret stashes that only locals know about.
Making friends while surfing is easy and natural. The sport attracts friendly, outgoing people who are always up for a chat. So, next time you’re at the beach, don’t be shy, strike up a conversation with a fellow surfer, and who knows, you might just make a new friend for life.
Promotes mental health
Surfing allows a constant union with nature and its energy, and is therefore associated with stress management and relaxation, points that contribute to mental well-being. During the period in which he is focused on the wave, the surfer forgets and abstracts himself from his daily problems, directing his energy towards the sea. Starting the morning with a session will have positive effects on the rest of the working day, allowing you to be more productive and more resistant to pressure.
Surfing at the end of the day allows you to release bad energy and ‘clear your head’. This is also why companies are increasingly promoting surf sessions for their employees.
It promotes coordination and balance
To be able to surf the wave, it is necessary to coordinate several movements simultaneously without ever falling overboard. It is certain that to stand firm on a board is not an easy task, but after a lot of training, coordination and balance are kings.
One of the surfer’s goals is, of course, to stand upright on the board and not fall off, and balance is greatly improved and enhanced during this activity. The athlete has to train this technique in and out of the water, since in the sea the difficulty increases: the strength of the waves and their constant movement make it even more difficult to stand up. Motor coordination is also key: the athlete has to think of several movements simultaneously and coordinate different parts of the body.
It improves the respiratory system
It is not necessary to be the ‘aquaman’ to surf, but it is necessary to work the respiratory system. Sea water by itself helps to unblock the respiratory channels and has positive effects on the lungs, but it is during training that the respiratory system becomes stronger, capable of facing apneas.
Salt water, containing sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium, clears the respiratory ducts and has positive effects on the lungs. It also contributes to reducing the risk of diseases such as sinusitis or asthma. During training, the athlete constantly controls inhalation and exhalation, both out of the water, given the demand and energy expended, and in the water, where he may be in apnea for some time, which also helps develop a stronger respiratory system.
Surfing is a great way to learn new skills
When you surf, you are constantly challenged to try new things and improve your techniques. This can help you learn new skills quickly and effectively. In addition, surfing can also help you develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. As you navigate the waves and overcome challenges, you will learn how to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions.
Surfing allows us to awaken all our senses
Each of them is regularly solicited: touch the water, hear the sound of the waves, breathe the invigorating air of the sea, taste the salt water and contemplate magnificent landscapes. Sports that appeal to all our senses are very rare. These are essentially water sports, of which surfing is a fervent representative.
When we surf, we are one with the wave, we feel its power and we let ourselves be carried away by it. Surfing is a very intimate sport, which allows us to have a special relationship with nature. This relationship is based on respect and a certain humility in the face of the elements. It is also a sport that requires concentration and presence of mind. In order to ride a wave, we must be totally focused on the here and now. Surfing thus allows us to live in the moment and to forget our daily worries.
Surfing is a very complete sport, which allows us to work on our physical condition, but also on our mental balance. It is a true invitation to relaxation and well-being.
Surfing provides a sense of achievement
The act of riding a wave is both exhilarating and humbling. It is a feeling that is hard to put into words but it is something that you will never forget. The sense of achievement you get from successfully riding a wave is like no other. And the more you surf, the better you will become. This improved ability will give you the confidence to take on bigger and better waves, and the satisfaction that comes with this is immeasurable.
In addition to the personal rewards that surfing provides, it also gives you the opportunity to connect with nature. There is something special about being in the ocean, surrounded by the power of the waves. It is a place where you can clear your mind, relax and simply be. Surfing can help you to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and the importance of looking after it.
Surfing is a sport to overcome your fears
Surfing is an excellent sport to overcome your fears for several reasons. First, it requires short but intense bursts of energy, which help you to overcome your fear of failure. Second, it is a very technical sport, so you have to be very focused and present in order to succeed. This helps you to overcome your fear of the unknown or of change. Finally, surfing is also a very physical sport, so it helps you to overcome your fear of physical activity.
All of these things together make surfing an excellent sport to help you overcome your fears. If you can surf successfully, you will have proven to yourself that you can overcome any obstacle, no matter how daunting it may seem. This will give you the confidence to take on anything in life, and to live life to the fullest.
What are the contraindications or disadvantages of surfing?
Surfing has more advantages than disadvantages. In terms of contraindications, surfing is not recommended in case of (spinal disease, cardiovascular problems, respiratory insufficiency, neurological disorders) ….. It is advisable to ask your doctor’s advice in case of doubt. Faced with tumultuous waves, surfing also requires a taste for risk and effort. Finally, the most frequent pathologies in surfing are wounds and lesions, contusions, sprains, fractures and urinary infections.