Surfing is that sort of thing that you are always tempted to try while on some tropical holiday destination. However, everyone that’s surfed before would tell you that surfing involves a lot of hard work and it can even be considered as the ultimate body workout.
Surfing is not something you can do to loosen up, and while many people do enjoy casually splashing their board in waves, a dedicated surfer knows that it takes a lot of physical and mental strength to make it on the big waves.
If you are a person who likes to try surfing for the first time, we are going to tell you everything you need to know so that you don’t end up hating it.
1. Always wear a wet suit or a t-shirt
Depending on the water temperatures, every surf school will recommend and provide you with a wet suit the first time you try surfing. Most wet suits are 3 mm thick; however, in the Pacific Northwest, it’s recommended that you wear a 5mm one. Sometimes you don’t need to wear any surf suit as the water temperature is just right; however, you should always wear a t-shit in order to prevent your skin from rubbing against the board.
2. Be prepared to last the day
Surfing is an activity that can be done right from the beginning of the day, until the very last sunset. Because of this, many surfers prepare for the whole day by packing Surfwater so that they can stay hydrated throughout the day. For many, this is the Red Bull of waters and will certainly help you out catch all those perfect waves. And if you are not surfing, the new trendy SURFWATER with its balanced pH level will make you feel very well, ‘water more, live longer.’ Another important factor to consider here is the fact that this one comes in an aluminum bottle and you will not be contributing to pollution. It is easy to get as it is available in almost any sports, surf shop, trendy coffee house or universities & school canteens. Furthermore, make sure to pack breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner if you decide to spend the night with friends sitting in front of a beach fire.
3. Don’t be scared of sharks
While the thought of a shark near you while surfing is a damning one, there were only 85 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide in 2017. To put it into perspective, 13.000 people died from the flu that very same year. An expert on surfing says that you are more likely to spot a whale than a shark while surfing. If you do indeed encounter a shark while surfing, restrain yourself from slashing and make sure to be as calm as possible while you’re leaving the water.
4. You will need to have decent swimming skills
Every surfing school prepares its “students” to be able to swim four times the average length of a pool. While you don’t need to an expert in swimming, you are still in water so you will need to be good at it. If for some chance you do lose your board while surfing, you will be stranded in the middle of the ocean. In this case, you must be confident enough in your swimming skills in order to make it to the beach. Knowing how to float and tread on water is also very important so that you can get your energy back if you need to swim a larger distance.
5. Be prepared to get sticky with it
Wax will be your best friend if you decide to surf. Surfers use wax on their boards so that they don’t fall off them. Surfing coaches say that you need to wax your board until its sticky enough so that you minimize the chances of falling off it. Boards and wax go hand in hand because without was you won’t be able to stand up.
