Alternatively tilted; Top Five Bonus Benefits of Surfing. Whether you are aware of it or not, the mere act of surfing will improve other aspects of your life. Trident has lost track of how many articles we’ve done over the years with a similar theme. This is neither plagiarism nor laziness nor forgetfulness, this is simply because surfing’s positives can never be overstated. Ever. So while some of these points may sound familiar, it really doesn’t matter. The focus of this article is how riding waves enriches your life without you even realising it. Due to surfing improving stuff like:
Number 1: Your physical health.
This really doesn’t get more obvious. Exercise, vitamin D and immersion in nature. While there are plenty of sports which offer varying combinations of these, surfing is unique as its playing field constantly changes. One day the surf is super mellow, the waves barely amping your heart rate up but still ensuring you receive a dose of some sun and nature. Other days you are cursing Mother Nature because of the non stop paddling and duck diving in 8 foot waves. The surf is nasty, you’re kinda sacred of drowning so your heart rate is so rapid, the surfers around you can actually hear it. And are annoyed by it.
Anyway, regardless of the kind of surf you experience, there is no doubt the activity is good for your body. You WANT to be healthy to be able to surf more, for as long as you can. Unless of course, you injure yourself in the myriad of dangerous ways surfing generously offers. Apart from the spectre of injury though – which is hardly unique to surfing – it’s darn good for and physical health. Which in turn leads to:
Number 2: Your mental health.
Which is fantastic, as your obsession with surfing is likely to drive everyone else around you crazy. Going back into the mists of time, Trident has discussed this subject before. Here and er, here. Nevertheless, it’s the added and unexpected benefit of good mental health that happens in the background that has us excited. You don’t meet that many depressed surfers. Unless you meet them while it’s been onshore and/or flat for a week. Then you get to work on your:
Number 3: Your patience and tolerance levels.
Oh, who are we kidding? Your levels of patience waiting for a wave or tolerating other surfers snaking and paddling around you (or just being there at all) renders this point all but supremely irrelevant. However, the behaviour of others, not to mention the capriciousness of the sea should indeed teach you at least some levels of patience you never had before. Surfing should be ultra rewarding in any conditions, but if it was always cracking and uncrowded, you’d take it for granted, ‘ey? So be thankful for those unicorn perfect days. ‘Coz that’s when your patience for less than ideal surf has been rewarded. Speaking of being rewarded…
Number 4: You’ll become goal orientated.
Even if that goal is simply to catch three to five waves minimum during your lunch hour. Or to really work on your turns over the next few months. Perhaps your lofty goal is to ensure you get barreled every surf this winter. Or to never set foot inside an indoor office again and somehow contrive to surf for a living. Whatever your surf goal is, having any goals in life is a positive thing. It gives you something to look forward to and/or work towards.
Surfing fact; whatever commitment outside of surf you have on any given day – you work your buttocks off to get it done when the surf is firing. All that to avoid missing the tide’s sweet spot for your favourite wave. If you make ice cream for a living, rushing through work to surf is fine. If you make life or death decisions as a ER doc – eh, maybe conscientiousness still rules in that scenario. Make sure you sew that patient’s head back on properly before you contemplate:
Number 5: Your respect and appreciation for nature.
Unless you stand on a sea urchin or witness a large fin circling you ominously. Obviously. In which case you may decide wavepools are the way to go. Pristine wilderness be damned. Or dammed. See what we did there?! Anyway. It’s incredibly rare to meet a surfer who doesn’t have more love for the wild than your average joe. Whether it’s picking up litter, avoiding unnecessary damage to small sea life or simply enjoying the sunrise or sunset, surfers are clearly closer to nature than most. Therefore, our appreciation as well as respect for nature’s gifts should be pretty well developed. Lekker. End of story.
