Surfing. What a tremendous sport or, indeed for some, a way of life. Surfers tend to understand each other – no matter what else they do in life. It’s an activity that includes a sense of camaraderie or fellowship between surfers.
There’s something about being out in the ocean, at one with all that nature has to offer – something about feeling the force of the water beneath you and being with it as it drives you forward.
Health benefit of surfing include:
- Strengthens your upper body and back The paddling involved in surfing is fantastic exercise and strengthens your upper body - biceps, triceps, deltoids and core. Surfing is one of the best back exercises around.
- Great for your heart Surfing is great cardiovascular exercise. It keeps your pulse rate in the ideal zone for a long time - not too high and not too low.
- Helps mental health Surfing is an ideal exercise for reducing depression and combatting PSTD. Being in the water is a sensory experience that relaxes you and alleviates stress. You can switch off and focus on being at one with nature. Some therapists are even using surfing as a form of therapy for their clients.
- Tones your legs and firms your butt All that squatting, getting up on the board and surfing the waves does wonders for your legs and butt. You give your quadriceps, gluteus , gastronemius and hip muscles a workout.
- Builds your balance It goes without saying that to surf, you need to be able to balance yourself on a board in a variety of conditions. It's a felt sense that you can only get by doing it. Once you have it, it will also help you balance in other situations on land.
- Builds immunity Being in colder temperatures has been shown to build our immunity. Surfing involves being in the cool or cold water for some time, which builds your stamina.
- Boosts your vitamin D Being outside is a natural boost to vitamin D or the "sunshine vitamin", which is essential for bone and teeth health.
“It’s like the mafia. Once you’re in – you're in. There’s no getting out.”